Klingon Bird of Prey Manual: IKS Rotarran (B'rel-class) (Owners' Workshop Manual)

Wow. I enjoyed the Enterprise Haynes manual a year ago but this is a completely different beast and I might admit it's actually better because the material isn't something that Trek has covered in massive detail over the years. What I would say is that if you're a hard-core Trek fan this is excellent but the more casual viewer may find it a bit of a chore because it can be quite "techie" at times. I was quite impressed with the detail it went into in regards to the fleet development as well as how Birds of Prey are commissioned and the crew hierarchy. The book is excellently illustrated and in hardback so there's a lot of love gone into its production. As a fan of DS9 it's a nice accompaniment to the DS9 Technical Manual as it covers another angle of what was my favourite Trek series. What I am a bit disappointed with (and this goes for a lot of Trek books using images from the series) is that the selection of frame-grabs is a little average when compared to the excellent CGI that sits next to it and there are a few I wouldn't have selected because they are a bit weak but hey - overall it's excellent and I have been waiting for this for a while. It's not the thickest book or particularly aimed at kids or adults. It's a fun book in all honesty and very easy to dip in and out of. For the casual fan I would probably therefore give it a four from five due to the level of detail. Definitely worth a read and might just tip you into super geekdom...!

The Klingon Bird-Of-Prey 'owners workshop manual' an official Star Trek product is literally Filled With Honor and it was an honor to review it! Published by Haynes, it numbers 123 pages filled to overflowing with important commentaries, discussions and full color in-depth technical diagrams of the B'rel Class BOP. As some of you are aware the BOP was originally a Romulan design, adopted by the Klingon Defense Force and subsequently adapted by the Klingons for multi-role duties at a time when they were still at war with The Federation. Following the various accords and treaties, and especially following the defense of Federation outpost Deep Space 9 less was seen of these remarkable craft by the Federation as the Klingon Empire choose to pursue other enemies, new conquests. Lavishly illustrated by the legendary Rick Sternbach and much of its technical material produced by author Ben Robinson the owners workshop manual not only discusses the various technologies found on board the vessel but also delves into the command hierarchy and the protocols expected of any Klingon warrior who would serve aboard her. Much of what you find in the book is presented in Federation standard (English) and in Klingon with a handy Klingon supplemental section in the last few pages of the manual for those of you who are not familiar with spoken or written Klingon. The book is so well written that any fourth year Starfleet cadet finding him or herself serving on board a Bird-Of-Prey could easily identify any major piece of equipment on board such a vessel and thus avoid possible conflict or disagreement with her Klingon crewmembers. The book even includes a complete breakdown of the interior layout of the vessel (deck plans) and even mentions by name other glorious vessels of both the B'rel and much larger version, the feared K'vort class. Yes, this manual has it all - Qapla' batlh je! An absolute MUST for anyone who wants to KNOW how starships actually work!

Lots of information in this book, and certainly one for the fans (of which I am one!) It's in the typical format of a Haynes manual but this has input from Rick Sternbach who has been involved in several manuals as well as several Star Trek shows. The level of detail is impressive and for the first time to my knowledge it covers some of the background in how the Klingon hierarchy runs and how the navy works - adds a lot to back story of the Klingons and their ships. One thing I found of interest is how the book addresses the size of the ships - ie a scout ship and battle ship are the same design (for cost purposes on the show I assume). It's a well thought out explanation and it made sense. Very colourful book that is easy to just dip in and out of and adds something unique to the lore of Trek. Good fun, even for non trekkies :)

I recently purchased the Diamond Select Bird of Prey model, and I thought it would be interesting to see what what goes on inside my favourite ship. The detail in this book is amazing, and the layout and graphics really add to its appeal. Its easy to 'dip in and out' of it too. I can't fault the book, but I can Amazon's quality control. They need to make sure the books are in 'as new' condition before packing, a badly scuffed front cover, should never make it through the system.

What a superb book, just makes me miss the shows even more. Like others have noted, do not expect an exact Haynes manual of a BOP. Rather it is a complete history of the class, with focus being on one case study for most of the book. The diagrams are excellent and as a fan it really is a 'must have'. Now they just have to release an issue for every ship in the show.

Muito legal. Como já comentei na post da MILLENIUM FALCON, adoro essa busca em tornal real algo que só existe em determinado universo. E não conheço nada mais legal do que STAR WARS e STAR TREK e a capacidade que estes possuem em nos manter ligados neles por tanto tempo. Very cool. As I said in the post MILLENIUM FALCON, I love this search in real tornal something that only exists in a given universe. And I know nothing cooler than STAR WARS and STAR TREK and the ability they have to keep us bound them for so long.

this was a xmas prezzie for someone, but they seem contented with it ( i never read it) it seem interesting i hope it was

Estupendo librito lleno de ilustraciones y datos de lo más interesantes, en perfecto inglés y Klingon, eso si y por supuesto. Incluye anécdotas y curiosidades sobre los diversos modelos utilizados en series y películas, además de todo el lore (vamos, el rollo inventado, pero deliciosamente detallado) sobre las diversas versiones del está mítica nave de asalto klingon, generalmente pequeña y altamente maniobrable, pero que ha conocido versiones mucho más grandes, manteniéndose en servicio durante prácticamente un siglo. Me salió por poco menos de 6 eurillos en estado "muy bueno" lo que se traducía en la pequeña imperfección de la parte superior del canto del libro que se puede observar en una de las fotos, y que se solucionó estirándolo un poco con la mano. Compra maestra, a este precio. Andaré atento a ver que mas ofrece este vendedor.

Ich ging bei einer Publikation des Haynes-Verlages davon aus ein umfangreiches Reparaturhandbuch zu erhalten was mir die Wartung meines leider sehr mitgenommenen B'rel - Modells erleichtern würde. Leider war der Kauf in dieser Hinsicht ein absoluter Fehlgriff, denn es wird zwar sehr detailliert über den technischen Aufbau eines typischen Bird Of Prey gesprochen und auf die Historie der klingonischen Militärraumfahrt eingegangen, aber es finden sich hier keine Reparaturtipps oder detaillierte Bauteilexplosionszeichnungen die einem wirklich weiterhelfen könnten. Demzufolge hätte dieser Band eher in der JANE's Militärbuchreihe erscheinen sollen als im Haynes-Verlag. Schön allerdings dass nun mal mit einigen Fragen durch eine offiziell sanktionierte Publikation endlich aufgeräumt wird. Das übliche "Du hast ja gar keinen Bird of Prey, denn die sind so-und-so-groß" kann man nun getrost ad acta legen und der Meckernase den Hintern mit diesem Buch versohlen (wofür sich der stabile Einband klasse eignet). Von Druckproblemen oder klebenden Seiten blieb mein Exemplar gottlob verschont, es handelt sich um ein hochwertig aufgemachtes Buch von guter Qualität. Alles in allem: Tolle Bettlektüre, miserables Werkstatthandbuch.

Excellent!

Always liked the look of their ships! An excellent read for a rainy day.

特にクリンゴンが好きという訳ではないのだが、トレッキーとしては、手に入れておきたい一品。 以前に同シリーズ（Haynes "Owners Workshop Manual")で出ている「U.S.S.Enterprise2151」も一緒に揃えて欲しい。 同じ形態ながら、クラス別に大きさの違う「バード・オブ・プレイ」があり、全長350ｍのK'VORTクラスから小型の偵察艇まで同じデザインで、本書はその中でもマートク将軍の乗艦全長139ｍのB'RELクラスを取り上げている。 目次や各ページのタイトルにクリンゴン語でも表記があるのも、らしくて良い。 内容ついては精査していないが、たとえばB’relクラスの乗員について、2003年刊の「スタートレック・エンサイクロペディア-ニューエディション-」では12名とあるが、本書では36名になっているなど、これから細部を突き合わせて行く楽しみがある。 （私見を言うと、12名では少な過ぎる感があり、新しい本書の方が正しいのでは？と思う）