Red Mars

Kim Stanley Robinson

Bantam Books, New York

Pocketbook Science Fiction. The conceit of the “blank slate” Mars allows for remarkable explorations of a variety of ethical and ecological perspectives vis-à-vis social and civil development. The book follows the characters across the Martian landscape, which is explained in detail. The experiences of the characters in the novel express brilliant and illuminating examinations of philosophical, political, economical, and geological perspectives that are marvelous and inspiring.  In addition to this, Robinson’s humanity and conscience are deeply and beautifully expressed. This book and the “Mars Trilogy” of which it is a part, rank among the most thoroughly imagined and very best Science Fiction ever written.

Discover the novel that launched one of science fiction's most beloved, acclaimed, and awarded trilogies: Kim Stanley Robinson's masterly near-future chronicle of interplanetary colonization. 

For centuries, the barren, desolate landscape of the red planet has beckoned to humankind.  Now a group of one hundred colonists begins a mission whose ultimate goal is to transform Mars into a more Earthlike planet.  They will place giant satellite mirrors in Martian orbit to reflect light to the surface.  Black dust sprinkled on the polar caps will capture warmth and melt the ice.  And massive tunnels drilled into the mantle will create stupendous vents of hot gases.  But despite these ambitious goals, there are some who would fight to the death to prevent Mars from ever being changed.