Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? - Page 2

Christopher · February 28 2013, 08:28 PM

Garrovick wrote:

He also makes the point that the likeness of Captain Seljanus on the cover doesn't really mesh well with the description given in the book.

Indeed not. The in-joke behind the book was that Sejanus was the namesake and descendant of the historical Lucius Aelius Sejanus, a character who was played in the miniseries I, Claudius by Patrick Stewart (in a curly-haired toupee). So presumably Dvorkin wanted Sejanus and Picard to look much more alike.

Allyn Gibson · February 28 2013, 09:16 PM

Christopher wrote:

The ship is named Excalibur. Excalibur was King Arthur's sword. So the sword with the Starfleet insignia is a symbolic representation of the ship. I think that's self-evident. Sure, maybe there could be some resonance intended with Calhoun's warrior past, but it's still symbolic.

Except that the one time we see Calhoun holding his sword on a cover -- No Limits -- the hilt of the sword clearly bears the Starfleet insignia. The reasonable conclusion is that Calhoun added a Starfleet symbol jewel to his sword after he joined Starfleet.

To paraphrase/rewrite what my American lit professor said about Moby-Dick, "Calhoun's sword doesn't work as a symbol if it doesn't first work as a sword."

Christopher · February 28 2013, 09:51 PM

^No, the reasonable conclusion is that cover art is often figurative and has nothing to do with what's supposed to be concretely real in-universe. The cover of Only Superhuman, for instance, is an amalgam of elements from two entirely different scenes, and a somewhat idealized/exaggerated depiction of the main character (or at least her hair, outfit, and sidearm).

Allyn Gibson · February 28 2013, 10:00 PM

Christopher wrote:

^No, the reasonable conclusion is that cover art is often figurative and has nothing to do with what's supposed to be concretely real in-universe.

Why can't you simply admit that you're incorrect in this instance? Your attempts to justify your explanation that the sword is symbolic, when it's clearly not, is as detached from reality as a FOX News pundit -- or Bob Woodward.

Christopher · February 28 2013, 10:10 PM

I don't understand why you find it necessary to resort to such heinous insults over such a minor issue, or to claim that your personal interpretation is the only possible truth. Anyway, if you're going to be so needlessly hostile, I'll walk away.

Allyn Gibson · February 28 2013, 11:10 PM

If I'm hostile, it's only because I'm frustrated and bewildered by your obtuseness and your unwillingness to admit and accept that, in this case, there's evidence that your preferred interpretation is incorrect. I apologize if you're offended by the Bob Woodward comparison; I thought it was apt.

Therin of Andor · February 28 2013, 11:50 PM

Greg Cox wrote:

Back in the day, the covers were often finished before the books were.

The completed cover slicks for the "Probe" hardcover were in storage for over 12 months during its rewriting, otherwise garamet (MWB) probably wouldn't have stayed as the sole author, considering how little of her original work remained.

Therin of Andor · February 28 2013, 11:54 PM

Allyn Gibson wrote:

The reasonable conclusion is that Calhoun added a Starfleet symbol jewel to his sword after he joined Starfleet.

I assumed this would have been a gift to Calhoun, perhaps from Shelby, the Excalibur bridge crew, or even his Starfleet sponsor (Picard).

Steve Mollmann · March 2 2013, 07:21 PM

Wasn't the actual (Danteri, right?) sword curved-- unlike the one in the text?

ryan123450 · March 2 2013, 08:46 PM

If so, that leads one to believe that Chrisopher's symbolism theory is the correct one.

Kestrel · March 3 2013, 01:20 AM

I've only read a little New Frontier, but i always took the sword on several covers to be symbolic, even if Calhoun does have the sword that scarred him.

Christopher · March 3 2013, 02:17 AM

Steve Mollmann wrote:

Wasn't the actual (Danteri, right?) sword curved...?

I checked the text, and the sword on Calhoun's wall is described as a short sword with a curve to the blade and carvings on the handle. The sword depicted on the covers from Gods Above through Missing in Action is a double-handed longsword (judging from its size relative to the skull on the After the Fall cover), cruciform-hilted with a smooth grip (handle) and a straight double-edged blade with ornate engravings. So it definitely is not the sword on Calhoun's wall.

Also, on the cover of Stone and Anvil, it's driven deep into the titular anvil -- an obvious allusion to Excalibur. (The sword in the stone is actually a different one in most versions of Arthurian legend, but it's commonplace in modern times to equate it with Excalibur.)

ryan123450 · March 3 2013, 02:50 AM

Who's sword was the sword in the stone?

Greg Cox · March 3 2013, 02:55 AM

I have to ask: Aren't most Trek covers symbolic? Unless people's heads are often literally floating amidst nebulae and starscapes?

ryan123450 · March 3 2013, 03:08 AM

My thoughts exactly.

February 28 2013, 09:51 PM	#18
Christopher Writer	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? ^No, the reasonable conclusion is that cover art is often figurative and has nothing to do with what's supposed to be concretely real in-universe. The cover of Only Superhuman, for instance, is an amalgam of elements from two entirely different scenes, and a somewhat idealized/exaggerated depiction of the main character (or at least her hair, outfit, and sidearm). __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Includes purchasing links for Only Superhuman, on sale now! Updated 12/30/12 with annotations for the novel. Written Worlds -- My blog

February 28 2013, 10:10 PM	#20
Christopher Writer	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? I don't understand why you find it necessary to resort to such heinous insults over such a minor issue, or to claim that your personal interpretation is the only possible truth. Anyway, if you're going to be so needlessly hostile, I'll walk away. __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Includes purchasing links for Only Superhuman, on sale now! Updated 12/30/12 with annotations for the novel. Written Worlds -- My blog

February 28 2013, 11:10 PM	#21
Allyn Gibson Rear Admiral Location: South Pennsyltucky	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? If I'm hostile, it's only because I'm frustrated and bewildered by your obtuseness and your unwillingness to admit and accept that, in this case, there's evidence that your preferred interpretation is incorrect. I apologize if you're offended by the Bob Woodward comparison; I thought it was apt. __________________ "When David Marcus cited the great thinkers of history -- "Newton, Einstein, Surak" -- Newt Gingrich did not make his list." -- 24 January 2012 allyngibson.net

March 2 2013, 07:21 PM	#24
Steve Mollmann Rear Admiral Location: 2010	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? Wasn't the actual (Danteri, right?) sword curved-- unlike the one in the text? __________________ "All of time and space. Everywhere and anywhere, every star that ever was. Where do you want to start?" Exploring the Universe

March 2 2013, 08:46 PM	#25
ryan123450 Commodore Location: Woodward, OK	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? If so, that leads one to believe that Chrisopher's symbolism theory is the correct one. __________________ Lost: A Chronological Experience-http://lostchronologically.yolasite.com Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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March 3 2013, 01:20 AM	#26
Kestrel Rear Admiral Location: East Tennessee	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? I've only read a little New Frontier, but i always took the sword on several covers to be symbolic, even if Calhoun does have the sword that scarred him. __________________ "Does it ever get easy?" "You mean life?" "Yeah. Does it get easy?" "What do you want me to say?" "Lie to me."

March 3 2013, 02:50 AM	#28
ryan123450 Commodore Location: Woodward, OK	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? Who's sword was the sword in the stone? __________________ Lost: A Chronological Experience-http://lostchronologically.yolasite.com Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

March 3 2013, 02:55 AM	#29
Greg Cox Vice Admiral Location: Oxford, PA	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? I have to ask: Aren't most Trek covers symbolic? Unless people's heads are often literally floating amidst nebulae and starscapes? __________________ www.gregcox-author.com

March 3 2013, 03:08 AM	#30
ryan123450 Commodore Location: Woodward, OK	Re: Anyone Like the "Inaccurate" Book Cover art from the 1980's? My thoughts exactly. __________________ Lost: A Chronological Experience-http://lostchronologically.yolasite.com Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.