Conflicting  Storylines
 

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It would be a disservice to compile a guide to the Star Trek novels without mentioning conflicting storylines. Although efforts have been made to maintain the story continuity of TNG, DS9, VOY and NF, that unfortunately does not hold true for the Original Series.

While it is understandable that inconsistencies would creep in from publisher to publisher (Bantam, Ballantine and Pocket), it is rather annoying when books from a single publisher have different versions of what should be the same events. Some of the most egregious examples of this and the titles that contain them are noted below. (All of these books have been entered on the title timeline in chronological order.)

Since it is difficult and convoluted to try and reconcile most of these conflicts, the best way for the reader to deal with it is to select one of the versions as "official" history, and regard the others as "alternate universe" Trek. And then just enjoy the stories, of course.
 

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The major conflicting storylines,
in order of importance.
 

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Kirk's early history with McCoy and his very early missions as captain of the Enterprise.
 

version 1

Crisis on Centaurus
Enterprise, the First Adventure
Strangers from the Sky
 

version 2

My Brother's Keeper saga

 

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The story of Zefram Cochrane and Earth's first contact with aliens.
 

version 1

Strangers from the Sky
 

version 2

Federation
 

version 3

Star Trek: First Contact

 

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McCoy's marriage and divorce, and his relationship with his daughter and ex-wife.
 

version 1

Crisis on Centaurus
Enterprise, the First Adventure
Dreams of the Raven
 

version 2

Shadows on the Sun
 

version 3

My Brother's Keeper saga

 

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How the Klingons changed appearance.
 

version 1

Mindshadow
 

version 2

I am Klingon  (short story)
 

version 3

My Brother's Keeper saga

 

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The fate of the female Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident" tv episode.
 

version 1

The Price of the Phoenix
The Fate of the Phoenix
 

version 2

My Enemy, My Ally
The Romulan Way
 

version 3

Killing Time

 

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The courtship of Sarek and Amanda.
 

version 1

Spock's World
 

version 2

Sarek

 

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Gorn / Federation relations.
 

version 1

The Entropy Effect
 

version 2

Requiem
 

version 3

Where I Fell Before My Enemy  (short story)

 

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The explanation for the energy barrier at the edge of the galaxy.
 

version 1

Q-Squared
 

version 2

The Q-Continuum  saga
 
 
 
 
 
 

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