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trib's review
4.0
Over the Christmas break, I watched the National Geographic Channel's excellent drama-cum-documentary series Mars. A couple of episodes in, as one of the documentary sequences interviewed [author:Stephen L. Petranek|14733992], I had a moment of realisation: hang on, I have this book, and it's one I haven't read yet!
To the Bookcave, Batman!
Petranek's How We'll Live On Mars, like all the TED Books series is short and sharp. It's fewer than 100 pages, designed to be read in a single sitting (or maybe two, if you get interrupted). All the authors have done TED Talks, and like those talks, these books are supposed to be teasers - introducing you to a topic and encouraging further exploration.
How We'll Live On Mars is no different, and like Petranek's talk at TED2015, introduces a fascinating topic as humankind prepares to take its first truly long-term steps into space.
Addressing issues such as the necessary science and engineering, the emergence of privately funded space exploration as NASA is progressively impoverished in a USA where science seems to be the enemy, the practicalities of daily life on a planet inimical to human life, and what it might take over the longer term to terraform Mars into a place more readily inhabited by us, How We'll Live On Mars is a fascinating teaser into a topic that will become increasingly important as humankind seems hell-bent on ignoring anthropogenic global warming and destroying the climate and environment of our home world.
To the Bookcave, Batman!
Petranek's How We'll Live On Mars, like all the TED Books series is short and sharp. It's fewer than 100 pages, designed to be read in a single sitting (or maybe two, if you get interrupted). All the authors have done TED Talks, and like those talks, these books are supposed to be teasers - introducing you to a topic and encouraging further exploration.
How We'll Live On Mars is no different, and like Petranek's talk at TED2015, introduces a fascinating topic as humankind prepares to take its first truly long-term steps into space.
Addressing issues such as the necessary science and engineering, the emergence of privately funded space exploration as NASA is progressively impoverished in a USA where science seems to be the enemy, the practicalities of daily life on a planet inimical to human life, and what it might take over the longer term to terraform Mars into a place more readily inhabited by us, How We'll Live On Mars is a fascinating teaser into a topic that will become increasingly important as humankind seems hell-bent on ignoring anthropogenic global warming and destroying the climate and environment of our home world.
cindyjac's review
5.0
Based on a TED talk, this book makes the educated prediction that , "Within twenty year, humans will live on Mars. We'll need to." Short, to the point, and very interesting; this book lead me on a search for more to read.
moonpie's review
4.0
I feel How We'll Live on Mars is a good overview of the subject, touching on a bit of everything without going into too much detail. It feels more like an in-depth article than a book, and it's less than 80 pages, so I wouldn't expect to read it and be a Top Mars Expert, but I feel like a have a good handle on the basics now, and a good idea of where to go next if I want to explore the topic further.
emilysurface's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
heatherbermingham's review
3.0
Good, straight-forward introduction to the likely primary challenges of traveling to and living on Mars as well as some potential solutions. Definitely a good starting place for anyone curious about the reality of humans on Mars.
shawnwhy's review
4.0
really quick one about plans to colonize mars and the practical implications. the part where waster is imperative to colonization is really intertesting. and also that the vision of Mars colony mining metal from asteroids and only be able to export cultural capital is interesting as well.
lizbusby's review
3.0
A good summary of the pieces we have in place so far towards living on Mars. There are several big obstacles (read: oxygen and radiation), but we're more ready than you might think. Nice quick read.
sarahpizzichemi's review
2.0
A short read but I felt it could have discussed the possibilities of what living on Mars would actually look like more-it wasn’t the most thrilling read I feel like this would be more appropriate and interesting as a video presentation or an article.
allie_rose's review against another edition
2.5
I want to believe in his optimism, but I think I’d be a little more convinced if most of his scientific evidence didn’t come from Von Braun, a Nazi scientist, and Elon Musk, a flighty entrepreneur known for talking out of his ass
dancarey_404's review
3.0
Overall, Petranek's book is well written, concise, and easily consumable by a mass audience. That said, if you have read more than one or two recent books about Mars, there's not much here for you that's new. And if you're really interested in the subject of humans living on Mars, Robert Zubrin's [b:The Case for Mars|56713|The Case for Mars The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must|Robert Zubrin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436215886s/56713.jpg|2128996] is much more satisfying. But Petranek's book is one I can loan to people who are mildly curious about the subject.