The Klingon Art of War:
Ancient Principles of Ruthless Honor
Translated by Keith R.A. DeCandido
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Pocket Books

From the back cover:

Passed down from the time of Kahless, ten precepts have shaped Klingon culture and indoctrinated Klingons in the Way of the Warrior.

With this new translation, people from all walks of life-and all worlds-can harness the ancient Klingon wisdom and learn to embody courage, discipline, and honor.

CHOOSE YOUR ENEMIES WELL · STRIKE QUICKLY OR STRIKE NOT
ALWAYS FACE YOUR ENEMY · SEEK ADVERSITY
REVEAL YOUR TRUE SELF IN COMBAT · DESTROY WEAKNESS
LEAVE NOTHING UNTIL TOMORROW · CHOOSE DEATH OVER CHAINS
DIE STANDING UP · GUARD HONOR ABOVE ALL

My thoughts:

The Klingon Art of War (or qeS’a’ in Klingon) marks an occasion I have been waiting for for some time: the return of Keith R.A. DeCandido to the Trek literature arena… well, sort of. I mean, this book isn’t exactly a Star Trek novel, but it is a work of fiction. An in-universe reference book, if you will. But boy, is it tempting to call it non-fiction!

Using examples from throughout the history of the Klingon civilization, the book’s “author,” renowned novelist K’Ratak, dispenses sage wisdom for Klingons and non-Klingons alike — and for both warriors and non-warriors. The precepts and their implications are meant to be used by people from all walks of life, from the warrior on the deck of a Vor’cha-class attack cruiser to a well-known author dealing with his critics!

I very much enjoyed the “voice” of K’Ratak as he relays the original stories behind the precepts, as well as his own “author commentary” on each precept and the morals it conveys. I especially enjoyed the stories he told of his own life and times in which the lessons of the qeS’a’ informed his behavior. This was the perfect project for Klingon expert DeCandido. I have not yet read his I.K.S. Gorkon / Klingon Empire novels, but after reading this book, I realize that they have to be made a priority in the near future.

The references in the book to the wider Star Trek literature world are very welcome, including mention of the Typhon Pact, indicating that the book is written contemporaneous to the current post-Nemesis 24th century novel continuity. I love it when the lit-verse and canon Trek come together in these supplemental works. As much as I enjoyed Federation: The First 150 Years from a couple of years ago, I was disappointed when it didn’t completely mesh with the modern novels. The Klingon Art of War does much better in this area.

Finally, the art work at the beginning of each chapter is very well done, and perfectly fitting for this book. The style and layout is fun to read, and I recommend The Klingon Art of War for any fan of Trek and the Klingons!

– Reviewed by Literature Editor Dan Gunther

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