Star Trek Reader's Reference to the Novels: 1990-1991
Volume 6
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Pon-farr (PP)–Alternate spelling: pon far. This Vulcan term is loosely translated as “mating time.” It is often confused with plak tow due to the intense physical emotions involved. One early historian declares it refers to “a point in the physical cycle of Vulcan male when he must...take a wife (Trimble 210). Pon far may more fully be understood if considered within the context of Vulcan marriage ritual. For it is at the marriage ceremony that the two bonded Vulcans whose minds were loosely linked during a childhood ceremony, now prepare for a full bonding to establish a connection between the two adults which is extremely difficult to sever. Some recorded instances indicate that when one partner dies, the living one will die also unless an adult Vulcan can help sever the bond that links them. Keeping this in mind helps one understand why Vulcans consider marriage so important. Historian Nancy Hardenburg concurs with Trimble that pon far “is the drive of the male to mate...[and] implies the activation of sex hormones...” (42). The reason may be, as Hardenburg declares, that “this [drive]...indicates fertility” (42). It may be assumed that the male, having reached sexual maturity, is driven to an emotional frenzy known as plak tow, and many sources agree. The same sources also concur that this state “is the cause of the irrationality and eventual death of the male,” as both Trimble and Hardenburg suggest. (Article continues in the main entry.)
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About the Book
Research continues in this sixth effort to collect information from the novels of 1990-1991. Associate with new aliens like Obo, a Belandrid who's a wiz at mechanics, the ;At. who appear to be "warm stone;" Midgwins, Kaldorni, and Dombraatu, now extinct. Meet new villians like Harnessad Dreem seeking revenge on Spock, the blue-eyed Klingong assassin Klass, and old ones who confront Enterprise. Visit new worlds: Zebulon-Theta with no life forms larger than coyotes; Hellsguard a Romulan laboratory; Lahit a homeworld of three distinct sentient beings; Octavius Four; and Kalajia Seven. Expand your knowledge about Captain Pike's first contact; John C. Kirk, a World War II fighter pilot; Captain Kirk's dishonorable discharge from StarFleet; and the adventures of Scotty, Sulu and Chekov in their distant past. Read biographies of Christopher Pike, his Number One, and Janice Rand. Discover Sarek's first name and Spock's full name. Read about Sulu's babies, Uhura's participation in Pan-American games, and Kirk's three wives. Study the Klingong game, similar to chess with a deadly version and be concerned with Kirk's disembodiment. Learn more about plat tow (7 pages) and pon far (5 pages). Meet the diversity of sentient representative in Enterprise's crew. And discover the secret Vault beneath StarFleet Command Headquarters. Enjoy the latest collected informationg about the continuing missions.
About the Author
After thirty-five years of teaching elementary, high school, and community college, Alva turned her skills of writing and research to Star Trek and its worlds as provided through the novels detailing Kirk's missions. Extensive reading, research, and purchase of volumes both by the professional author and amateur have resulted in the production of five volumes of Star Trek Reader's Reference to the Novels. The sixth effort reveals new material about Gene Roddenberry's wonderful world and expands previous References. A fan of science fiction since she was given a library card, Alva has never lost interest in the genre. She owns all the Star Trek novels to date and continues to purchase reference books and magazines about Star Trek. In addition to completing six References, Alva has collaborated with Ralph Gerhard, a close friend, to write The History of Moberly Public Library. She has also written Living Faith: A History of Ebenezer Baptist Church, a church in rural Missouri. She continues her research for the next volume of interesting data expanding the world of Star Trek.