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esessa's review
5.0
This was really fascinating, and the author did a great job balancing science against biographical information about the scientists who've advanced our understanding of Mars over many years, and memoir-ish details about her own life as a planetary scientist. These humanistic bits made the science very relatable and rounded out the book really nicely. The audiobook was great.
sisyphista's review against another edition
4.0
Science is personal. Buried in its roots are the personal influences, inspirations and setbacks that came before, and Stewart Johnson does a marvellous job of taking us through her journey in the scientific realm. It's full of trials and tribulations, but--as with all good science--you learn as much from the failures as you do from the triumphs. The hopes we project onto our neighbouring planet have waxed and waned over the years, but Stewart Johnson brings a long lost fire back to Mars.
nrt43's review against another edition
4.0
The Sirens of Mars is about the history of exploration of Mars and in particular looking for life on Mars. And as dry as you might think that subject might be, you would be wrong. Here Johnson weaves the history of discovery and failure on Mars with her own life and now becoming a scientist joining in that story. It was beautiful and well written!
thejoyofbooking's review against another edition
5.0
Part memoir, part history of humanity's interest in Mars, part meditation on what it would mean for us to find life outside of earth - and whether we would recognize it if we did. Johnson's writing is both cogent and lovely, introducing me to a history of exploration first via wondering, then telescope, and finally rover. The saga of missions that failed had me holding my breath. The anecdote that will probably stick with me the longest is a story by Voltaire that I had never heard of, about a 120,000 foot tall being that visits Earth and nearly misses the variety and value of the life that exists here. The references to literature, to great thinkers and philosophers, and the deep musings about how much we know and how much more we don't give me much to think about for a long time to come. The immensity of the space program really became real to me during this read. I know we've sent men to the moon and rovers to Mars, but realizing how complicated that really was, how far away it really is, and how much we can learn from these efforts is really awe-inspiring. Thanks to the publisher for a NetGalley early reader's edition. I read this during COVID-19 lockdown, a time during which I have found it challenging to focus on reading at all, but I absolutely couldn't put this down.
jennylimmy's review against another edition
3.0
Although in some ways I might have preferred a straightforward history, the author’s poetic voice matched the personal anecdotes and musings. If a history of human Mars exploration is a history of wanderers, as Johnson so adeptly suggests, then her writing is the perfect fit.
chasejon's review
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Content of the book is interesting, but it reads very slowly. I like the back and forth between current & past work on Mars, but it became difficult to track later in the book. Mix between a memoir and a nonfic, but wasn't an excellent representation of either.
smalefowles's review against another edition
4.0
The quality of prose in this book was unreal! So lyrical and so evocative. The author illuminates the history of Mars science, which was full of surprises for me, and made even a cynic like myself feel delighted by the devotion and focus of scientists.
canadajanes's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent distraction from all the shit going on in the world. Beautifully written, providing both a history of Mars exploration and a narrative to go along with it.