Received through appaloosatb Project Emancipate Tomes (PET) project. I cannot stand the thought of books being thrown out so I do what I can with appaloosatb's help to save as many books as I can!

First published in 1972, these short stories are Blish's adaptations of the screenplays of various episodes from the original series. The episodes aren't sorted into books according to either chronological order or identity of screenwriter.

"Whom Gods Destroy" (episode 71, season 3, screenplay Lee Erwin and Jerry Sohl) (The remainder of the title quote is 'they first drive mad'; the setting is Elba II, a planet with a poisonous atmosphere used to isolate the criminally insane in an escape-proof setting.) I tend to bracket this with "Dagger of the Mind" from season 1. ENTERPRISE has come to Elba II because the newest inmate, Garth of Izar, was a respected starship captain until he was driven mad by injuries sustained in the line of duty. The problem is, the inmates have taken over the asylum, and Garth is a formidable opponent, insane or no.

"The Tholian Web" (episode 64, season 3, screenplay Judy Burns and Chet Richards) Sent by Starfleet to locate the lost DEFIANT, the ENTERPRISE finds it drifting near a 'fracture' in space that affects the minds of any near it, apparently the cause of the death of DEFIANT's crew. Kirk, separated from the rest of the away team, appears to have been lost - and when a Tholian vessel appears and demands that ENTERPRISE leave the area, Spock and McCoy must open Kirk's final sealed orders and presume his death.

"Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" (episode 70, season 3, screenplay Oliver Crawford from a story by Gene L. Coon (as Lee Cronin)) Two aliens from the hitherto unknown planet Cheron board the ENTERPRISE - Lokai, a member of an oppressed minority on that planet, and Bele, the law enforcement officer who has been pursuing him for 50000 years on charges of terrorism. (Interesting if unsubtle point: the two races look exactly the same, half black/half white, except that one is white/black and the other black/white; only the placement of the colours distinguishes them.) As Lokai demands asylum and Bele extradition, Kirk defers the issue to Starfleet Command - and in frustration, Bele uses his ESP to seize control of the ship and force a return to Cheron.

"This Side of Paradise" (episode 25, season 1, screenplay Nathan Butler and Dorothy C. Fontana). The first of several episodes over the years to explore the notion of a 'paradise' planet: in this case, Omicron Ceti III, where the colonists have survived lethal doses of radiation only through accidental exposure to plant spores that act as natural tranquilizers. The colonists are happy - but insist on exposing the ENTERPRISE crew to the effect. (This story works best if you've previously read/seen "The Enemy Within" - certain aspects of Kirk's character showcased in that episode are critical to coping with the lotus-eater syndrome herein.)

"Turnabout Intruder" (last episode of season 3, screenplay Gene Roddenberry and Arthur H. Singer) Janice Lester, an old acquaintance of Kirk's embittered since he attained command when she did not, uses an alien device to force an exchange of bodies with him. Blish's adaptation, like the original episode, concentrates more on Lister in Kirk's body than the real Kirk, confined to the brig for trying to incite mutiny. Lester, however, isn't good at passing herself off as the real Kirk, and overlooked some crucial details about the intended purpose of the device.

"Requiem for Methuselah" (episode 76, season 3, screenplay Jerome Bixby) Flint, a very wealthy recluse living alone with an unusually beautiful and self-possessed young woman in palatial surroundings, permits the ENTERPRISE to collect some vital minerals needed to treat an outbreak of Rigellian fever among the crew. But as delays interfere with McCoy's treatment, Spock and Kirk have time to notice just how unusual Flint's palace - and his ward Rayna - really are. [This episode was later used by another author, along with "Miri", to create CRY OF THE ONLIES, which tied up some loose ends.]

"The Way to Eden" (episode 75, season 3, screenplay Arthur Heinemann and Michael Richards) A back-to-nature cult (resembling contemporary hippies) has stolen a starship (bad) and are headed for the Romulan Neutral Zone (worse) in the belief that Eden is a planet to be found in that area. ENTERPRISE must prevent them from causing an international incident. On the other hand, their leader has a reputation as a brilliant scientist, and one of the youngsters is the son of an ambassador figuring prominently in very delicate negotiations...

RELEASE NOTES:

Releasing into JeepACV's Misc. Paperback Bookbox

taken from the bookbox