• Star Trek: The Kabayashi Maru

  • By: Julia Ecklar
  • Narrated by: James Doohan
  • Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (289 ratings)

Publisher's summary

The Kobayashi Maru is the test given to cadets at the Starfleet Academy - a simulated no-win situation in space. For James Kirk it was a challenge that defined him as a leader. For Chekov it meant a struggle against his own personality. For Sulu and Scotty it was a matter of the spirit and a second chance...Now, the Starfleet officers look back on those youthful days. Their shuttlecraft is drifting helplessly in space. Sharing with each other the painful, often fierce lessons of their Kobayashi Maru, each man struggles to tap his inner strength and to overcome the most desperate situation of their careers!

©2013 Julia Ecklar (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Star Trek: The Kabayashi Maru

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if you only try one of these, this is it

If you could sum up Star Trek: The Kobayashi Maru (Adapted) in three words, what would they be?

After Leonard Nemoy died recently, I wanted to look back to a favorite character from childhood. These dramatizations seem to be a format for 90-minute cassettes, hince 2 45-minute chapters. Knowing they are vintage, the sound affects and voice characterizations are actually fun. The story of this one is a quilt of several stories. Each of the characters describes his experience taking the Kobayashi Maru test. I liked Leonard's autobiography, too. He is missed and remembered.

What did you like best about this story?

The stories inside the story format. The different approaches to the test each of the characters took, defining their style.

Have you listened to any of James Doohan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He is surprisingly one of the best of the original cast doing these voice characterizations.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Ask JJ Abrahms :)

Any additional comments?

These Star Trek shorts are overpriced and should be more affordable and popular. Maybe bind 5 of them for one credit, similar to the History Channel sets.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

not entirely unabridged

I have always enjoyed this book whenever I read it. I purchase unabridged versions of books when I get them in audio format whenever possible. I definitely enjoyed the presentation, but was a bit disappointed to find that quite a bit had been left out. I realize the portions that were left out weren't really essential to the performance or story, especially if the listener hadn't read it before, but to someone who has probably read it a few dozen times at least, it left the over all story feeling a bit disjointed and more like a collection of related short stories. over all, still an enjoyable listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Too much was cut

Too much was cut. I remember reading the book as a kid and this is missing a lot of story. like how thet tried using their personal suits jet packs to propel the shuttle, etc.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome to hear Scotty to bad it is an abridgment

This is one of my favorite Star Trek novels.

And Scotty “James Doohan” did a great job.

The main issue is that it is “adapted” aka an abridgment of the novel.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story about The Kobayashi Mau

What a great book I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I finally know what Captain Kirk did to beat the Kobayashi Maru as well as Chekhov Sulu and Scotty. If you enjoy Star Trek then you will enjoy this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

C'mon, it's Jimmy Doohan!

I took off two full stars for the 'Story' specific rating, just because this recording is an abridgment of the novel. However, I was willing to purchase it anyway because, well, James Doohan of course!

He's wonderful, as always, and though I think the now tried-and-true Trek voice actor Robert Petkoff does some better impressions of certain cast members than Doohan, there's just no getting around how talented and emotional this reading is!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The performance of James Dothan

Nice wick story about how some
Of the crew handles the no win scenario. Good insight on the characters personalities.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story!

as always, Jimmy Doohan's steals the show. I love this Kobayashi Maru was a different scenario for each of the characters. Sulu's story was particularly touching. and thank you to the late James Doohan!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story! Great reading!

Well paced with wonderful characterizations. This was real Trek!! I was completely captivated the whole time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

Delightful and heartfelt performance by James Doohan as always, and of a satisfying story. This is my favorite audiobook I’ve heard him read yet.

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