The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard

This autobiography jumps through Picard’s life, trying to hit the highlights. As a story goes, there were a few interesting parts, discounting all the inconsistencies of stories told on the show verses how they are told here (do we chalk that up to an old and addled brained Picard or an author who couldn’t be bothered to do enough research?). Nearly all of the book covers events before Encounter at Farpoint, then takes one chapter to cycle through highlights of Picards tenure as captain of the Enterprise, and then gives a final chapter taking place after Nemesis. My biggest complaint is the author is trying too hard to connection Picard to everything. 

Here is a quick list:

• As a boy he is given a model of the NX-01 as a toy
• During his studies at Starfleet, he is randomly assigned by Admiral Leonard McCoy to be a part of Spock’s wedding’s honor guard
• Also during his studies, his flight school is commanded by Peter Kirk, James Kirk’s nephew
• During his graduation, the commencement speech is given by Nyota Uhura, president of the Federation
• On his maiden voyage as captain of the Stargazer, he receives his orders from Demora Sulu, Hikaru Sulu’s daughter
• He randomly stumbles upon Terok Nor and has a conversation with Gul Dukat
• During the Cardassian War, he has frequent contact with Admiral Janeway, father of Kathryn Janeway
• Also during that war he had a security meeting with Admiral Chekov, head of Starfleet Security.
• Remember that time Picard led the Borg in a victory that destroyed thirty-nine starships? (Wolf 359) Picard apparently had a personal connection with nearly all of those captains. He had either served with them or recommended them or crossed paths with them
• Picard has a run in with Doctor Phlox, and an explanation of why Denobulans are not seen in TNG
• Picard also visits several planets which were discovered in Enterprise

That, of course, isn’t mentioning all the connections he already had as seen in TNG and subsequent movies.

Looking at the author’s (David A. Goodman) credits though, some choices start to make sense. Among other things, he wrote for Star Trek: Enterprise, Futurama, and is now writing for The Orville. That at least explains how Picard came to have all these random connections to Enterprise era stuff. This also explains random casual pop culture references to things like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (The Orville).