The book starts well, with a couple of good chapters outlining the creation of the series. Brief biographies of the actors are given, as are photographs of them from the start of the series (without makeup, of course - very useful if you wish to see what Michael Dorn really looks like). Creative problems in season one are unearthed instead of glossed over, an unsusual move for an official guide. An admission is even made that the first season lacks focus, spending too much time finding its feet.

The behind the scenes information is good - even mentioning that Robin Williams wanted a part on the show but was unable to take one due to scheduling conflicts - and the chapter on Star Trek: Generations is probably the best part of the book (if only the film was as good!).

However, there are a large number of niggling flaws. Firstly, the photographs. I doubt anyone was expecting them to be in colour (they're no, by the way), but they are nearly all screen captures from episodes themselves, resulting in occasional blurring, overexposure and lack of focus.

Secondly, the chapters on the films First Contact to Nemesis are far too short (mostly synopsis as well), and appear to contain very little in the way of insight.

Thirdly, each episode is broken into synopsis and 'behind the scenes', but the former is way too short and simplified, and the latter contains annoying pieces of trivia (like a mention each time Deanna has chocolate, with references to other episodes where she has chocolate).

But the worst mistake of all is the lack of updating. Links internally from Season 1 to Generations are fine, as substantial revision was done between the first and second edition, but references to anything made after Generations are thin on the ground. For instance, no mention for the entry on 'Second Chance' that Tom Riker reappeared in DS9, or that previous TNG guest stars Famke Janssen and Kristen (yes, they even get her name wrong) Dunst are now A-list movie stars.

However, this is still the best TNG guide you can buy at the moment, and, if you can ignore the flaws, it mis a pretty good book. However, tighter editing would have made a good book as great as the DS9 guide.