Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet

by Leonard David Narrated by Andrew Reilly

Overview

An inspiring exploration of the establishment of humans on Mars-tying into the National Geographic television documentary series Mars

The next frontier in space exploration is Mars, the Red Planet-and human habitation of Mars isn't much farther off. In October 2015, NASA declared Mars “an achievable goal”; that same season, Ridley Scott and Matt Damon's The Martian drew crowds into theaters, grossing over $200 million.

Now the National Geographic Channel fast forwards years ahead with Mars, a six-part series documenting and dramatizing the next twenty-five years as humans land on and learn to live on Mars. Following on the visionary success of Buzz Aldrin's Mission to Mars and the visual glory of Marc Kaufman's Mars Up Close, this companion book to the Nat Geo series shows the science behind the mission and the challenges awaiting those brave individuals.

The book combines science, technology, photography, art, and storytelling, offering what only National Geographic can create. Clear scientific explanations, gorgeous photography from outer space and the planet itself, and dramatic scenes from the television series featuring exquisitely constructed sets made to replicate Mars, make the Mars experience real and provide amazing visuals to savor and return to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

05/22/2017
Space journalist David (coauthor, with Buzz Aldrin, of Mission to Mars) unveils what is ostensibly a plan for human interplanetary travel, lavishly illustrated with scenes of Mars and photos from the space program. The chapters cover the technical difficulties in launching a worthy ship, the challenges to surviving on Mars, and the psychological effects of living in close quarters with only a few others. There is much good information to be found, but the work is marred by a confusing layout. Insets and sidebars often accompany unrelated text. For instance, an inset regarding the possibility of being thrown off course is laid out alongside a study on finding water. That said, readers will be intrigued by the chapters on microbial dangers and options for establishing a long-term colony. However, convoluted technical writing can make sections difficult for a non-specialist to follow. David attempts a lighthearted tone in places, but his word choices can be underwhelming, if not glib. Better text editing and layout would improve the book’s overall clarity. It’s a shame that the abundance of valuable information in this book is so difficult to extract, but the quality of the photos and illustrations might make it worth getting anyway. Illus. (Nov.)

From the Publisher

"This big, welcoming book—brimming with mind-revving photographs and artists’ conceptions and written with verve and precision by David—provides the foundation on which the scientifically rigorous, speculatively imaginative series was built." —Booklist

"What a spectacular and captivating book. The text is expertly written, really engaging, and captures the optimism we all feel." —Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist, Mars Institute

DECEMBER 2016 - AudioFile

The original hardcover MARS is a companion to the National Geographic television series and is filled with photos and other illustrations. Without those visuals, the audiobook comes across as a summary, an audio Cliffs Notes presentation. Andrew Reilly narrates in a straightforward manner with little apparent excitement but with effortless pronunciation and cadence. It’s up to the listener to imagine the scenarios and scenes. Given that Mars is a hot topic these days, from THE MARTIAN movie to the TV series, this audiobook contributes a sweeping audio overview. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169750331
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	10/25/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos