Mars - the Red Planet - is barren, and has almost no atmosphere and a temperature ranging from near-zero to 120 degrees below. No water flows, and there is no evidence that life has ever existed there. Yet, as Earth's nearest neighbour, it has always exerted a powerful hold on man's imagination: the astronomer Lowell thought he'd discovered canals, H.G. Wells speculated on the Red Planet's inhabitants' invasion of Earth, and many other science-fiction writers have used Mars as a setting. Based on a computer program that produces near-photographic images of the topographical changes that follow climatic change, this is a description of how this virtually dead planet could be given an atmosphere, running water, and vegetation. Taking as his starting point Mons Olympus, the highest mountain in the solar system, Arthur C. Clarke creates detailed "photographs" of the Martian surface and then shows how the landscape would change as vegetation began to thrive and water to flow. He speculates about how this might happen, about the journey to Mars, and about what living on the planet might be like.
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From Publishers Weekly
Human beings could visit Mars in the early part of the 21st century if the resources were made available, asserts science-fiction novelist Clarke. Citing a report issued by the International Space University after its annual symposium in Toulouse, France, in 1991, he outlines a three-phase Mars mission: precursor robot probes to locate suitable landing sites and resources, followed by an automatic space-freighter carrying supplies and equipment and, starting in 2018, a piloted expedition. Clarke leans toward nuclear-electric propulsion and sees the moon as a potential low-gravity base. He envisions a terraformed Mars, re-engineered for human habitation, complete with abundant vegetation, unfrozen lakes, increased oxygen in the atmosphere and the greenbelting of Olympus Mons (Mount Olympus), the giant Martian volcano. Clarke's own dramatic computer-generated images simulating a terraformed Mars, along with Viking orbiter photographs and artists' renditions (in all, 80 color and 20 black-and-white images) make the Martian future look tantalizingly real. Newbridge Book Club selection.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Veteran science fiction writer Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey) presents a personal overview of the planet Mars ranging from astronomer Percival Lowell's (1855-1916) turn-of-the-century observations, which gave rise to the popular view that Mars was inhabited by an intelligent race of canal builders, to today's understanding of Mars as a much colder, dryer place?but still the most Earth-like planet in our solar system. Clark's futuristic vision postulates that Mars can be terraformed, its environment engineered on a global scale, to make it habitable for humans. Using computer-generated imagery, Clarke portrays the "greening of Mars" as the planet is slowly transformed over time. It's a visionary view, but one based on scientifically valid premises. Recommended for public libraries and large subject collections.
-?Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
-?Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book, but a bit too many pictures
Feb 4 1997
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
As a reader of many of Arthur C. Clarkes books, I just had to get this one too.
I love the topic of this book. And to see how with available technics it would be possible to develop a "Garden on Mars" is very amazing to read about.
Unluckily, in my opinion, Clarke put a bit too much work into playing around with this picture creating tool. I am a computer techie and I know how much fun it can be to work with stuff like that.
But a view less pictures would have worked just the same.
I love the topic of this book. And to see how with available technics it would be possible to develop a "Garden on Mars" is very amazing to read about.
Unluckily, in my opinion, Clarke put a bit too much work into playing around with this picture creating tool. I am a computer techie and I know how much fun it can be to work with stuff like that.
But a view less pictures would have worked just the same.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Clarke book but too much computer generated pics
Feb 6 2010
By Thomas Erickson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a huge Arther C Clarke fan. The world misses this one in a hundred million futuristic visionary and superb writer.Years and years ago I read almost everything he wrote. I missed this one.
This book is 120 pages and is well written. I give the written material a 5 star. However 1/3 of the book is older computer generated pictures on different areas of Mars that have been terraformed at different times centuries and centuries from now.
Clarke was a realest about terraforming. He realized Mars terraforming would take centuries and centuries. Clarke explains why we must explore space and expand the human race into space or face stagnation and eventual collapse of civilization. He explains why it is essential for us to work with other nations together in the conquest of space especially Mars. He explained the need of cooperation in the cold war.
Different propulsion systems are discussed ( nuclear, ion, and antimatter). Read Dr Robert Zubrin's.... The Case for Mars (5 stars) for the real deal about Mars Direct on how to get to Mars.
Clarke shows support for a limited moon base but explains a Mars Colony is the key.
There is limited explanation as to the detailed methods of terraforming Mars. Many computer generated pics of Olympus Mars ( highest and largest volcano in the solar system), the Labyrinth of Night,and other spectacular areas of Mars.
Its interesting to see Clarke's genius older view of terraforming of Mars but I'm sure there are better books on terraforming Mars.
His computer generated pics are dated 1990ish. Its nice seeing some of them but he over did it. Wish Clarke had only 1/3 the computer generated pics and the space used for actual terraforming detailed info. This is a classic book. A good book for any Clarke collection. 4 stars
This book is 120 pages and is well written. I give the written material a 5 star. However 1/3 of the book is older computer generated pictures on different areas of Mars that have been terraformed at different times centuries and centuries from now.
Clarke was a realest about terraforming. He realized Mars terraforming would take centuries and centuries. Clarke explains why we must explore space and expand the human race into space or face stagnation and eventual collapse of civilization. He explains why it is essential for us to work with other nations together in the conquest of space especially Mars. He explained the need of cooperation in the cold war.
Different propulsion systems are discussed ( nuclear, ion, and antimatter). Read Dr Robert Zubrin's.... The Case for Mars (5 stars) for the real deal about Mars Direct on how to get to Mars.
Clarke shows support for a limited moon base but explains a Mars Colony is the key.
There is limited explanation as to the detailed methods of terraforming Mars. Many computer generated pics of Olympus Mars ( highest and largest volcano in the solar system), the Labyrinth of Night,and other spectacular areas of Mars.
Its interesting to see Clarke's genius older view of terraforming of Mars but I'm sure there are better books on terraforming Mars.
His computer generated pics are dated 1990ish. Its nice seeing some of them but he over did it. Wish Clarke had only 1/3 the computer generated pics and the space used for actual terraforming detailed info. This is a classic book. A good book for any Clarke collection. 4 stars
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