The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard: The Story of One of Starfleet’s Most Inspirational Captains
First published on October 3, 2017 and written by and contains
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The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard is an in-world memoir chronicling the story of one of the most celebrated names in Starfleet history. His extraordinary life and career makes for dramatic reading: court martials, unrequited love, his capture and torture at the hand of the Cardassians, his assimilation with the Borg and countless other encounters as captain of the celebrated Starship Enterprise.

Trek Book Club Discussion Questions

These questions were developed by @petertrek1.bsky.social, host of the Trek Book Club, where you can read and discuss Star Trek novels approximately every 6 weeks over a weekend on social media (currently on Bluesky). For more information about this club, go to / follow @trekbookclub.bsky.social.

01. What is your opinion of the cover of “The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard”?

02. Q inserted himself into the foreword of the book. How would you describe Q’s relationship with Picard? What were some reasons Q kept on visiting Picard over the years?

03. Picard has had a long history with the Borg, starting with “Q Who” and especially during his time as Locutus in “The Best of Both Worlds” and later with Hugh & the Borg Queen. In what ways has that traumatic experience affected him?

04. How did Maurice and Yvette Picard influence Jean-Luc and Robert when they were growing up as children and teenagers?

05. In addition to parents, one’s sibling(s) can also influence one’s developmental years. How would you describe the relationship that Robert and Jean-Luc had with each other?

06. Picard’s took the psych test as part of his application to Starfleet Academy. What caused him to fail that test?

07. How well did Picard (and his family) handle him not being accepted into the Academy?

08. Picard passed his psych test the 2nd time and was accepted into the Academy. How did Picard adjust during his first year as an Academy cadet? What were some challenges which he faced as a first-year cadet?

09. Picard became the first Academy freshman to with the marathon. What were some reasons he pushed himself to win it? What did that achievement mean to him?

10. Picard was introduced to Professor Galen and the subject of archeology, which would become one of Picard’s major hobbies. What was it about archeology that attracted Picard to that field?

11. From a romantic relationship perspective, compare the younger Cadet Picard with the older Captain Picard we met on TNG. How were they different? How were they similar?

12. Boothby was a groundskeeper at the Academy, not an instructor, but he had a great influence on Picard. What were some of the things that Boothby taught Picard?

13. Picard declined Dr. Galen’s offer to go on an archeological dig with him. Do you think he made the correct decision?

14. A key scene from Picard’s life was his fight with the Nausicaans. What did he learn from that fight and how did Q give him a different perspective of that event in "Tapestry"? What did you think of Picard’s closest friends in the Academy, Corey and Marta?

15. Picard transferred from the Sciences Division to the Command Division. From what we saw on TNG and later, what makes Picard a good leader and good captain?

16. Picard was introduced to children living onboard a starship when he transferred to the Stargazer. How did this color his view of having families and children living on starships, which we heard him talk about when he started to command the Enterprise-D?

17. What were your first impressions of Captain Laughton of the Stargazer?

18. In a moment of crisis, Mazzara gave the order to abandoned ship even though Picard believed it was premature. How did Mazzara’s consideration for his children led him to take this action? Was there any way to recover & get back the support of his crew?

19a. Across 7 seasons of TNG, 4 movies, 3 seasons of PIC and a guest star spot in the DS9 pilot, Jean-Luc Picard has become one of the Trek franchise’s main characters. What are some of your favorite Picard moments/scenes/episodes?

20. Picard meets Guinan – What are your thoughts about Guinan? What were some of your favorite Guinan moments from TNG and PIC? 🍸 🍹 🍻 🥂

21. How would you summarize Picard’s first years as captain of a starship. How would the lessons he cited below will help him on the Enterprise?

22. Picard transferred from being Captain of the Stargazer to a Chief of Staff position for Admiral Hanson. What are some differences between those two jobs?

23. Picard developed a close friendship with Jack Crusher. What were some reasons that happened?

24. We get more details surrounding the death of Jack Crusher, which would have a devastating effect on Picard and Beverly, who married Jack. What would be some emotions Picard would be feeling during these trying times?

25. We get to read about Battle of Maxia, the origin of the Picard Maneuver and how Picard lost the Stargazer. Comment on Picard as a combat strategist.

26. At Picard’s courtmartial over the loss of the Stargazer, he was defended by Anthony Mazzara, and prosecuted by Phillipa Louvois. What are your thoughts about this courtroom scene? Was Picard treated fairly?

27. Picard meets Phlox – What did you think of the NX-01's doctor, the Denobulan culture in general and their desire to leave all the conflict behind and go to another “universe”?

28. Picard was interested in Riker to be the first officer of the Enterprise. What were some aspects of Riker’s personality & experience Picard was looking for in an XO? How did the two of them complement each other to form a successful leadership team?

29. Early in the Enterprise-D mission, they encountered Daimon Bok who presented Picard with the Stargazer. What did that ship mean to Picard? On related note, what's your opinion of the TNG S1 Ferengi?

30. There were several changes for Season 2 on TNG – Dr. Pulaski was the new CMO replacing Beverly who left, Geordi LaForge was now Chief Engineer and Wesley was promoted to Acting Ensign. What did you think of these changes? Which ones did you like?

31. When Picard mind melded w/ Sarek, he experienced a flood of emotions. When Sarek later said that they will retain the best part of the other, Picard said that he had “the best part of that bargain”. What were some things Picard obtained from him?

32. The events of “The Inner Light”. Picard was Kamin and lived a much different life. What were some aspects of Kamin which Picard would have wanted to experience himself directly?

33. The events of “Chain of Command” - How was Picard able to survive and keep hold of his identity and sense of self, resisting Gul Madred’s tactics?

34. Picard and Beverly get married. What did you think of their relationship from what we read in this book (before TNG), through TNG and what we saw later on PIC? Picard considered Q to be a member of the family. What led Picard to realize this?

35. The closing of Picard’s autobiography ends with Picard returning to his family vineyard. How would you like the next chapter of Picard's life to play out?

36. Discuss the evolution of Jean-Luc Picard, from what we read about him in this book to when we saw him on TNG and the 3 seasons of PIC. What are some words you would use to describe him?

37. If there is a topic you would like to discuss which hasn’t been mentioned yet, post it here. Some potential topics include additional reactions to the autobiography, a memorable guest character or a favorite sequence.

38. While I wasn’t able see a reference to self-sealing stem bolts, I was able to find some callbacks to other Trek episodes. What were some of your favorite Trek references in "The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard"?

39. Since Bluesky doesn’t have a survey tool, I will be using SurveyPlanet. Click the link to take a 2 - question survey (rate the book & pick the next discussion book). Both questions are optional. You can answer 1 or both.

40. That’s a wrap on “The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard”. Thanks to all who posted, replied, reposted & liked.

41. It’s time for some faith of the heart!😊 🎶

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