Helpful Score: 6
Imaginative treatment of the colonization of Mars. Dense, but the descriptive narrative paints an amazing picture.
Helpful Score: 6
A sweeping story about the colonization of Mars and the problems that follow. A hand picked group of 100 scientists representing many countries and interests might seem the ideal colonization unit, but everyone lies to selection committees and ideas can be weapons as well as tools. Kim Stanley Robinson deftly handles both the broad scientific theories and the more intricate social web of his many characters.
An engrossing read particularly for anyone interested in both the science and sociology of the future of humanity.
An engrossing read particularly for anyone interested in both the science and sociology of the future of humanity.
Helpful Score: 4
The first novel in the astounding trilogy, Red Mars chronicles the lives of the first arrivals to Mars. The planet that the settlers find is empty of life and many of the pioneers want to begin changing the ecosystem right away to be suitable for human life. But the purity of the stark landscape convinces some scientists that it should be preserved. The stakes are high and the players on both sides range from politically naive idealists to ambitious manipulators without discernible scruples. No one can be sure that "terraforming" the planet will succeed, but it is certain to change the face of Mars beyond recognition. Red Mars won the 1994 Nebula Award.
Helpful Score: 4
A very technically detailed account of the colonization of Mars. The sociology is intriguing in how it differs from the settling of other frontiers on earth. For those of you who like science, sociology, and such you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Very good if involved read.
Helpful Score: 2
This book reads like science, with all the description at every turn- but also has a story and characters which will draw you in. A group has been sent to Mars to make it Earthlike, after training for this mission in Antarctica, and the story begins...
Helpful Score: 2
Part one of the Mars trilogy. It deals with the various scientists and others involved with the terraforming of Mars, and the social interactions that take place.
It's definitely a "real world" type of story, with all of the details and discussions that might really take place if this were to happen.
It's definitely a "real world" type of story, with all of the details and discussions that might really take place if this were to happen.
Helpful Score: 2
Hmmmm, this book is fast becoming one of the most reviewed on Paperback swap. Well, here's my two cents. It's part one of the whole "Mars Trilogy." I enjoyed it much more than the other two, and if we're really really lucky, (and the Judeo-Christian netherworld suffers a sudden cold snap), one of these days, James Cameron will make this baby into a mighty fine movie.
Helpful Score: 2
This was my first book by Kim S. Robinson. At first I was a little turned off by his style, after getting further into the book, he won me over. Halfway through the story I couldn't put the book down! The story is awesome! He actually makes you believe what your reading can actually come to pass. I've added Kim Stanley Robinson to my very short list of favorite authors. I recommend "Red Mars" to anyone who likes reading this genre.
I'm off to read "Green Mars"!! :)
I'm off to read "Green Mars"!! :)
Helpful Score: 1
For eons, sandstorms have swept the barren desolate landscape of the red planet. For centuries, Mars has beckoned to mankind to come and conquer its hostile climate. Now, in the year 2026, a group of one hundred colonists is about to fulfill that destiny.
John Boone, Maya Toitavna, Frank Chalmers, and Arkady Bogdanov lead a mission whose ultimate goal is to give Mars an Earth-like atmosphere.
This book utilizes years of research and cutting-edge science in the first of three novels that chronicle the colonization of Mars.
John Boone, Maya Toitavna, Frank Chalmers, and Arkady Bogdanov lead a mission whose ultimate goal is to give Mars an Earth-like atmosphere.
This book utilizes years of research and cutting-edge science in the first of three novels that chronicle the colonization of Mars.
Helpful Score: 1
A bit technical for those of us w/o science backgrounds, but a good read.
AMAZING! Although very technical at times, I was able to visualize this place. I completely bought into it.
The first volume of the Mars Trilogy. The trilogy is a novelization of the colonization of Mars 2050-2150 AD. It focuses on the issues of initial colony project, the terraforming of the Mars ecosystem to be human habitable and the relations between the Mars Colony and Earth. This book is about the initial colonization and the various personalities involved.
I was amazed by the rich and detailed concept of how Mars might be colonized. It reminded me of Dune in the philosophizing on political organization, scientific theories and antagonistic goals of major powers using mars. Earth's ancient history of clashing civilizations and Europe's invasion of the Americas seemed to provide inspiration for Red Mars.
A story about the colonization of Mars. It was filled with characters who had no redeeming qualities. Nothing in this book appealed to me at all. From dysfunctionality on a 100+people size to large paragraphs rambling about Mars to the pure pettiness of the characters involved, nothing interested me. It was almost like Robinson set out to write a book about the worst set of exceptional characters he could. I certainly won't be reading the other 2 Mars books.
Scientifically interesting.
This book started out slow, but the pace picked up and turned out to be a good read. I hope that the next book is good.
Excellent start to a trilogy. Good realistic Mars colonization story.
I found this book fascinating and satisfying and enjoyed it the most of the three in the series.
Start here, and read the entire series. No one can give me as much of a sense of place and experience as Kim Stanley Robinson. When I finished this trilogy I felt like I had been on Mars and had these experiences. I could envision the places and the feelings of travelling on Mars. It's hard to read other books about Mars after this trilogy.
There was more politics and religion in this book than I expected. But I guess those are both elements of starting a new society.
It was well conceptualized and excellent in terms of the science and technology for colonizing Mar. At times it seemed slow, overly verbose, and focused on details that did not advance the story.
Hands down the best, most-believable science fiction book I've read. This is an exploration in fiction of human colonization of Mars: What would it mean to be human on a different planet and what kind of society would develop there?
This is not a perfect book by any means, but it is an exciting book. I was so drawn into it that even when I put the book down, I found myself thinking the colonization of Mars was a reality.
This is not a perfect book by any means, but it is an exciting book. I was so drawn into it that even when I put the book down, I found myself thinking the colonization of Mars was a reality.
Very good hard science fiction book about the colonization of Mars.
