The Law of War - Hardcover

The empire--er, the Earth League--strikes back in the sequel to Man o' War (1996), actor-writer Shatner's other book series besides the Tek yarns. The league, the ruthless business alliance that superannuated the UN some time in the twenty-first century, lost its most lucrative sweatshop when Mars, under league-appointed governor Benton Hawkes, declared its independence. Now, the league wants to put Mars back under its thumb and to that end employs every slimy subterfuge it can think of, including planting agents provocateurs among Mars' young radicals and getting a skilled moving-painting artist to confuse now^-prime minister Hawkes with subliminal messages only he will absorb. Nothing works, of course, although a powerful lot of league minions and quite a few Mars defenders, including plenty of his sidekicks, but not our boy Bill--er, Benton--get blown away before the mayhem subsides with both sides bowed some but not beaten. The reasons for reading this obvious potboiler are the action scenes, which are a lot like those in the Star Trek movies, and hero Benton Hawkes, who is a lot like Cap'n Kirk. As we all ought to know by now, there are plenty of Trekkers who will consume anything resembling the objects of their passions. Feed 'em. Ray Olson

Wherever does he find the time? Shatner, who's now involved in four book series (Tek, War, Star Trek and Quest for Tomorrow), delivers the second volume in his War series, featuring Benton Hawkes, a 22nd-century diplomat from a corporate-ruled Earth. In Man O'War (1996), Hawkes was sent to Mars to subdue the food-producing planet but ended by reluctantly leading its fight for freedom. This follow-up begins with Hawkes on Earth trying to negotiate a peace between the home planet and Mars. The negotiations quickly break down, and Hawkes must flee for his life with both Earth and Martian enemies on his trail. Eventually, in an explosive military confrontation between Earth and Mars, the improvised Martian fleet and some friendly pirates save the red planet. One can hardly quarrel with Shatner's spritely pacing or abundant and well-handled action scenes, or with his serious speculation about the consequences of a vastly prolonged life span in a world without meaningful work. The basic plot is executed without a lot of originality, however, and the efforts to render Hawkes a realistic character, full of doubt, sometimes make him seem unable to make up his mind. Which is not to say that this is Hamlet.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.