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Armin Shimerman
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The Merchant Prince Hardcover – June 1, 2000

by Armin Shimerman (Author), Michael Scott (Author)
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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For seven years, Armin Shimerman played the diminutive entrepreneur Quark on Star Trek. Deep Space Nine®. Now, he teams up with author Michael Scott to chronicle the tale of a diminutive entrepreneur straight out of Earth history: Dr. John Dee. Despite his lack of physical stature, the five-foot-tall Dee was a towering figure in Renaissance Europe: alchemist, necromancer, scientist, philosopher, adviser to royalty, enemy to the vicious de Medici clan -- and confidant of Dyckon, a member of the alien race known as the Roc. Ancient and wise, the Roc have come to Earth to observe the evolution of humanity, not to interfere. But during the course of his studies, Dyckon has come to call John Dee friend. When the de Medicis arrest Dee in Venice, Dyckon chooses to save his friend from prison and leave him in suspended animation until the year 2099. The "philosopher of Albion" wakes in a confusing future where humanity is on the brink of developing the ultimate weapon -- a weapon that will mean the destruction of the human race! The only thing that can prevent Armageddon in the future is a genius from the past -- but can even the great John Dee save humanity from itself?
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Merchant Prince
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Atria
  5. Publication date
    June 1, 2000
  6. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.25 x 10 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0671035924
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0671035921
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria; First Edition (June 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671035924
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671035921
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

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Armin Shimerman

Armin Shimerman

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Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nicole Brettell
5.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced science-fiction masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022
I got this book for Christmas along with Armin Shimerman's other novel "Betrayal of Angels". I am almost half way right now and I can't put it down (except when I am looking up a word or historical event or peoples mentioned in the book).

I really liked how Mr. Shimerman and Mr. Scott both masterfully blend history with science fiction. The book is jam packed with colorful characters, thrilling endeavors, raw emotion and themes of human nature and the dangers of technology and greed. In my retrospected opinion, the story is like a combination of "Blade Runner" and "Kate & Leopold" with a drop of "The Count of Monte Cristo" with the main character, a historical figure being transported to a futuristic dystopia and gaining a position of power so he can save earth and all of humanity from destruction. If it were a movie or a miniseries, I can really see Mr. Shimerman in the role of rascally and sympathetic alchemist, Dr. John Dee.
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June McGrath
4.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Summer Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2000
Stripped down to essentials, the plot is the basic "hero must save the earth." However, it's well embellished with a fast paced narrative and enough twists and turns to hold my interest throughout the book.
The main character, Dr. John Dee (who bears at least a passing resemblance to Armin Shimerman's "Deep Space Nine" character, Quark)is very much a Renaissance man--alchemist, astronomer, mathematician and spy--and he's not averse to taking a profit on the side. When Marie de Medici imprisons him in 1575 he is saved by an alien benefactor, Dyckon. Dyckon is a member of a long-lived alien race, the Roc, that has come to observe the evolution of humans. Saving Dee, though, is in direct defiance of regulations prohibiting contact between the Roc and the humans. Dyckon has no real idea what to do with Dee and places him in suspended animation. As Dyckon's career progresses, though, the evidence of his past indiscretion becomes too great a political liability and he resolves to dispose of Dee. Instead of simply killing Dee, though, Dyckon first revives him and Dee persuades Dyckon to release him on earth. Despite the passing of years (it's now 2099), Dee is certain that human nature will not have changed and his survival skills will serve him as well in the twilight of the 21st century as they did in the 16th century. The catch, though, is that the earth is headed toward either annihilation or slavery within the next two years. If Dee can't avert the disaster, he will share that fate. The final two-thirds of the book detail his efforts to defeat Royal Newton, whose attempts to develop an energy source using anti-matter give rise to the impending disaster.
I found Dr. Dee to be an enjoyable character--like Quark, he's something of a good-hearted scoundrel. While he always strives to advance his own interests, he's loyal to his Queen and his friends. He's self-confident, observant and clever, a quick study, but when faced with a situation from which he cannot extricate himself by his wits alone, he kills efficiently, without hesitation or remorse. Royal Newton, on the other hand, is greedy, arrogant, and abusive to his subordinates. However, he's not a madman, intent on destruction--he genuinely believes he's developing a power source which will make him wealthy, not a weapon which will destroy his world. It's measure of his arrogance that he never gives serious consideration to the possibility of destruction. (Or perhaps it's a measure of his lack of complexity--but this story is driven more by plot than character.)
Although I did enjoy the book, it felt a bit like it had been rushed into publication. There were several minor inconsistencies--a creature that's hatched rather than born reminiscing about his birth mother; a facility in Puerto Rico is attacked and Newton starts talking to his security chief about insurgents in Costa Rica; Newton's grandfather, R R Newton was born in "abject poverty," but later it's stated that his great-grandfather was sufficiently wealthy to begin amassing the large Newton art collection (OK, could have been on the other side of the family, but it needed a bit more explanation than was given), and even after binding two broken fingers together with a kerchief, Dee is able to put on gloves. It's minor stuff, to be sure, but it's the kind of thing that should have been caught and corrected. And I couldn't help but be surprised that, while the Stock Exchange was still going strong, the SEC was obviously defunct and without a successor.
The authors didn't fail to include plenty of Trek references, though. I particularly liked the juxtaposition of the Gutenberg Bible with the original "Star Trek" script. Then there was the research facility run by Marconi Alimo...and lots of others that Trekkers will enjoy spotting. (There are also quite a few Shakespeare references--a nod to another of Shimerman's interests.) All in all, I liked the book and found it quite readable.
40 people found this helpful
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Greenlite350
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice read but not worth the cost
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016
Nice fun read. I've read John Dee's biography and a lot about Enochian (language and magic) so I couldn't pass it up. But $17 bucks for a book written 16 years ago - back in 2000???? This e-book would sell for about $2.99 if it was written by someone who wasn't a Star Trek alumnus. Do yourself a favor - read the sample first. If you want it go to AddAll Used or similar and have it delivered to your door for $4.98. You can spend the savings on more Kindle books from up-and-coming authors, like I did.
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Kathleen Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars Ah, good ol' sci-fi...
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2002
I admit, it's been a long time since I've picked up a science fiction book with the intent of reading it. I've been disenfranchised with the entire genre as a whole since I tried stomaching a few bad novels. But, lo and behold, this one made me sit up and take note! There is hope yet!
This novel in particular I was pleased with because of its historical accuracy to the Renaissance period while being unafraid to drop in a bit of alien involvement here and there. The main character, John Dee, is also particularly endearing. While he's easily recognizable as the protagonist and the one who is supposed to "save the world" (such as it is) he's still a bit of a scoundrel and a villain. I would, without a doubt, recommend this novel.
5 people found this helpful
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M. H. Krause
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic science fiction adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2000
Co-authors Armin Shimmerman and Michael Scott have done an *excellent* job in creating a believable, though often bleak, view of Earth's near future. This is good, solid science fiction, with aliens, advanced technology, societal commentary, the threatened end of the world as we know it -- all the best SF elements. Better still, the characters and dialogue are *fantastic* -- especially the hero, Dr. John Dee. An incredibly complex person, admirable yet by no means a saint, strong and self-sufficient yet sympathetic. The supporting characters are also intriguing and well developed. If this could be a series of novels, I'd love to see and learn more of Dr. Dee... on the other hand, after his amazing feats of derring-do in this book, any further adventures would run the risk of feeling anti-climactic! The "Star Trek" references scattered here and there through the story are certainly fun -- but you don't have to like "Trek" to appreciate this book. It's a though-provoking, self-contained story in the best traditions of classic SF -- and Dee is a unique, exciting hero. Don't miss this one!
7 people found this helpful
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Tammy L. Burrill
5.0 out of 5 stars The Merchant Prince Rules
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2000
I think this book is the best I've read in a longtime. Fans of Armin Shimerman will love this. It is his first I've read outside of his Startrek books, but it won't be the last!
One person found this helpful
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