"Star Trek remains one of the most popular science-fiction series of all time, and Captain Kirk is one of the most famous and highly decorated captains in the history of Starfleet. Viewers follow his adventures through space as the commanding officer of starships like the U.S.S. Enterprise. But did you know that Kirk wasn't even the show's first captain? And that the Star Trek series almost didn't happen? Author M. D. Payne takes readers aboard Starfleet starships as Kirk explores new worlds, encounters new villains, and boldly goes "where no one has gone before.""-- Provided by publisher.