Thank you to Titan Books for sending a copy of The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko: The Life of Starfleet’s Legendary Captain and Emissary in exchange for an honest review.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko: The Life of Starfleet’s Legendary Captain and Emissary by Derek Tyler Attico is a must-read compliment to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It joins previously released entries in a series that has featured James T. Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard and Kathryn Janeway. The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko both provides a complete backstory for Sisko and affords us his reflections on the seven years depicted on DS9. The result? A page-turning novel that underscores just how relevant the series on which it is based remains.
Section 31 security clearance warning! Please note that this review contains only mild spoilers for The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko, but serious spoilers for the entirety of DS9.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko
The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko is presented as a personal retelling of the titular captain’s life. This includes the entirety of his tenure on Deep Space 9. Fans of the series will immediately see how this poses a narrative challenge. However, The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko takes the form of a transmission sent from the Bajoran wormhole to Ben’s son, journalist Jake Sisko. This is an excellent decision. For one thing, it explains how this “autobiography” could exist in the first place. After all, Sisko plunged into the Fire Caves on Bajor at the climax of the DS9 series finale.
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Adding Jake to this equation is also wise. It means that the entire novel is a personal correspondence from father to son. The Star Trek Franchise does have some pretty bad dads. However, Ben lands on the opposite side of the spectrum, repeatedly demonstrating his aptitude as a father. Accordingly, the book is filled with Ben’s paternal advice for Jake. This adds an intimate dimension to the story. And hey: who doesn’t want fatherly advice from the legendary Benjamin Sisko?
The Life of Starfleet’s Legendary Captain and Emissary
But as recounted by roughly the first half of the novel, Sisko didn’t start out as a legendary captain and Bajoran deity. In fact, growing up with his family in New Orleans, Ben didn’t even interact with contemporary technology. Instead, his family chose to live a life without replicators, transporters, holograms or starships.
This portion of the novel is fascinating for a number of reasons. One of them is the fact that it gives us a window into life in the realm of Star Trek for those who haven’t chosen to enlist in Starfleet. This is appropriate for a novel based on DS9. The setting of Deep Space 9 afforded the chance for non-Starfleet (and non-Federation) characters to play bigger parts than ever before in Trek narratives.
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In a way, the early chapters echo this idea by showing us life in the 24th century for a human family who is initially pretty far removed from Starfleet. These corners of the Star Trek universe have still rarely been explored onscreen, so I welcomed the opportunity to see more of civilian life on Earth in this near-utopian future. And when this included an extended crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks, I found myself over the wormhole with Trekkie glee.
However, this portion of the novel is also incredibly insightful as far as Sisko’s character is concerned. One element I particularly enjoyed was the exploration of young Ben’s interest in engineering. This made me better understand why an older Sisko was such a perfect command choice for the constantly under-maintenance alien systems of Deep Space 9. And I also appreciated that the novel shows that Sisko has always been ready to punch above his weight class.
The Dreamer and the Dream
The back half of the novel is focused on Sisko’s time in Starfleet Academy and his tenure as a Starfleet officer. Here, many characters recognizable to DS9 devoteés will begin to appear. This includes Curzon Dax, the precursor to Jadzia Dax. Also appearing is Sisko’s wife Jennifer, whose death preceded the narrative of DS9. And like the first half of the book, this portion of the narrative includes plenty of insight into Sisko’s character. Readers will emerge better appreciating his decisions and motivations throughout all seven seasons of the show.
Speaking of which, eventually, Sisko’s time on Deep Space 9 arrives. This is covered by only a few chapters (which makes sense, since it was less than a decade of his life). However, it is fascinating to see the show’s narrative retold in summary from Sisko’s perspective. Plus, I laughed and clapped my hands as his intimate insights about the rest of DS9’s main characters were revealed.
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The cherry on top of The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko is a section in the middle featuring eight pages of full-color pictures. This both evokes a nonfiction autobiography and includes fresh DS9 art. What’s not to love?
The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko is an excellent book that will bring Trekkies right back to the Promenade. Beam over to your local bookstore or public library to find this highly recommended novel right now.
The Authobiography of Benjamin Sisko is available now.
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