What Is the Title of This Sci-Fi Book with a Hero on a Multispecies Spaceship?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a science fiction book featuring a hero on a multispecies spaceship with various aliens, each from different planets, who initially do not communicate or interact. The scope includes literary references and personal recollections of the book's plot and themes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a book where the hero is on a spaceship with thirty aliens, each from a different planet, and describes the hero's attempts to engage with them through physical confrontation.
  • Another participant suggests "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester as a possible title but later indicates that it does not resemble the described plot.
  • A later reply expresses a belief that the plot could align with themes appreciated by the producers of Star Trek, mentioning a possible connection to the resolution of conflicts through fistfights.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the book's title, and multiple competing suggestions are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the recollections, including potential inaccuracies in the details of the plot and the lack of definitive identification of the book.

Hornbein
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Over fifty years ago I read a paperback that impressed me but I don't recall the title or author. Little help?

The hero somehow finds himself on a spaceship with thirty other aliens, each from a different planet. They have no common language. They ignore one another. The hero rejects this status quo and decides to fistfight his way to the top. He can't do this, but his persistent efforts bring the others out of their shell. ?
 
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Could it be: "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester? (I was curious and asked ChatGPT!)
 
Doc Al said:
Could it be: "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester? (I was curious and asked ChatGPT!)
No resemblance.
 
Oh well! :frown:
 
Hornbein said:
Over fifty years ago I read a paperback that impressed me but I don't recall the title or author. Little help?

The hero somehow finds himself on a spaceship with thirty other aliens, each from a different planet. They have no common language. They ignore one another. The hero rejects this status quo and decides to fistfight his way to the top. He can't do this, but his persistent efforts bring the others out of their shell. ?
Sounds like a plot the producers behind Star Trek would absolutely love! :)

I don't know if it's apocryphal but I've read somewhere that the producers decided to do the pilot because they liked that it was resolved by a good old-fashioned fist-fight.
 

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