The Wisdom of Picard (208 pages), edited by Chip Carter, is a small, glossy, hardback that collects the wit and wisdom of the titular captain. Published by Adams Media, an off shoot of Simon & Schuster, it is printed on good quality, glossy paper with numerous pictures which range from Patrick Stewart’s first appearance, in The Next Generation (1987-1994), right up to the first season of Picard (2020).

The book groups the quotes into loose categories, philosophy and humanity, history and science, literature and the arts, exploration and adventure and politics, leadership and diplomacy. There is also a short introduction.

This is the sort of book you just delve into occasionally, randomly picking a page to read. On that level it works well, content-wise, not so much.

Whilst the character of Picard could be viewed as a philosopher warrior, in the vein of Marcus Aurelius, the writers of the show seemed to have failed to produce enough musings to fill the book.

Some quotes like:-

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on. And our little life is rounded with a sleep.”

exist, this is a Shakespeare quote, from The Tempest and it does, at least, qualify as philosophical musings.

On the other hand:-

“I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your Life, as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will serve us.”

is utterly without meaning, as it provides no context. Yes, it heralds an important point in the show's evolution, but in isolation, it doesn’t really work as a piece of non-contextual wisdom.

Overall, a nice little dip into book for fans of the show, non-fans are likely to come away a little confused.

6

Charles Packer