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First Landing
This is a classic read for the Mars enthusiast, spec fiction / sci /fi fan. Zubrin brings to life the close reality of a Mars Mission in human as well as technological terms. His imagination makes the story as real as it can get...until we can get to Mars ourselves. A true page turner and great Summer read.
First Landing
I was afraid, on first picking this book up and trying to decide whether to buy it or not, that I was going to be sorely disappointed; like I was when I read Aldrin's "Encounter with Tiber". I expected a dull, technical, rambling, unexciting and implausible kind of novel. In other words, a boring engineering rationale for going to Mars dressed up as fiction. Boy, was I wrong! This is an exciting, gripping, emotional and self-consistent story about a 5-member crew that lands in Mars in the year 2011, becoming the first humans in history to do so. I say self-consistent because, on reading, and as is the case in many novels, one has to forget what one knows. One has to forget, for example, that it is more probable that a multi-national crew will be the first to go to Mars, instead of a purely American one, given the present state of affairs. One has to forget that NASA would never consent to be left out of the loop of communication and decision-making. Other than that, this novel is as engaging as Back to the Moon by Homer Hickam. My only hope is that this book is someday remembered as having come the closest to predicting our first actual visit to Mars.
First Landing
Having read books like "The Case for Mars" (Zubrin's non fiction offering) I could hardly wait to read First Landing. Unfortunately, this book conclusively proves that Zubrin is a first class scientist but he shouldn't give up his day job. Character development is either non-existent or childish. Plot development is transparent and dialogue is juvenile. The technical aspects were first rate but I guess you can't get everything.
First Landing
You haven't! This book is the most incredible, best told story I have ever read. The book could have been quadrupled in length and I still would read it. The character development is this book is superb. Some characters go from seemingly useless to the best man on the mission, or from all tough to showing a good side. This is the best book in terms of character development that I have read in ALL genres.Dr. Zubrin tells the story of 5 astronauts who travel to Mars- and get stranded there. Those of you who may read Dr. Zubrin's other books, you may ask how this happened. For those of you who haven't, you'll find out. This book shows what a 5-minute speech and the clapping of one person can do to the public opinion of the United States. If you like to read books, this deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf. If you don't, read it anyway! There is no excuse for not reading this book, so get it now. You should also pick up Dr. Zubrin's other 2 superb books- The Case for Mars ,and Entering Space.READ THIS BOOK TODAY!!
First Landing
As His Holiness A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupadha has pointed out, nobody can go to Mars except devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The author of this book cannot go. That's simply a fact. One cannot reach other planets without spiritual preparation. Robert Zubrin and the Mars Society might whine about it for as long as they care, but they lack the inner qualifications. They'll never reach Mars.Nor have we been to the Moon. The Moon landing was a hoax, perpetrated by the New York Post in association with Hollywood, Bollywood, Nittywood and one "Buzz" Aldrin (actually a nephew of recently deposed Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi). Swami Prabhupada exposed the Moon landing hoax already in 1968, over the objections of faint-hearted gurus and assorted hippies and libertarian "space cadets".Yeah, you can whine about this too, Mr. Zubrin, but the facts remain. Lord Krishna stopped humanity from reaching the Moon.Besides, what on Earth (pun intended) do we want to do on Mars anyway? Let's all go down in lotus position at the shores of Goa, smoke some hash, and meditate like crazy to the sound of the Great AUM. Then we'll eventually reach Mars, but beyond that, we'll find the Atman, not to mention the groves where the Lord plays his transcendental flute and dances with Radha and the cow-herd girls. Really, who needs Mars anyway? It's just a big, red rock suspended in a vacuum.The inner journey is clearly more important.
First Landing
Every once in a while, I pick up a book thats tough to put down. I read this one in several sittings and as I read, I kept thinking of what a great film it would make. I make this statement because the novel is very visual, has a great cast of characters, and a story line with a interesting perspective on the first manned Mars mission. I like my Science Fiction with a heavy emphasis on science and technology, and this book delivered. I found myself deeply involved with the characters, and their situations as well. The last few chapters, especially the epilog, brought a tear or two to my eyes. I highly recommend this novel.