The novel for "Star Trek V" does a much better job conveying the plot then the film, and is one of the few Trek novels I re-read every few years.

I don't think William Shatner did that bad of a job directing the actors. It was the lack of production value, and forced humor that hurt it much more. I would put the majority of blame on the producers, but Bennet did not truly want to do another Trek. William Shatner talked him into returning. That was a big error. You never want people who are not truly motvated involved on big project like that.