A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
Nov 2023 · Random House
3.5star
4 reviewsreport
Ebook
448
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2024
ONE OF THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW SCIENTIST BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF THE YEAR
GUARDIAN BEST SCIENCE AND NATURE BOOK 2024
A HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST RELATED WORK 2024
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
THE #2 MOST GIFTED BOOK IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
From the bestselling authors of Soonish, a brilliant and hilarious off-world investigation into space settlement
Earth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away - no climate change, no war, no Twitter - beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? Bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of original research, and interviews with leading space scientists, engineers and legal experts, they aren't so sure it's a good idea. Space tech and space business are progressing fast, but we lack the deep knowledge needed to have space-kids, build space-farms and create space nations in a way that doesn't spark conflict back home. In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, A City on Mars investigates whether the dream of new worlds won't create a nightmare, both for settlers and the people they leave behind.
With deep expertise, a winning sense of humour and art from the beloved creator of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, the Weinersmiths investigate perhaps the biggest questions humanity will ever ask itself - whether and how to become multiplanetary.
ONE OF THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW SCIENTIST BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF THE YEAR
GUARDIAN BEST SCIENCE AND NATURE BOOK 2024
A HUGO AWARD WINNER FOR BEST RELATED WORK 2024
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
THE #2 MOST GIFTED BOOK IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
From the bestselling authors of Soonish, a brilliant and hilarious off-world investigation into space settlement
Earth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away - no climate change, no war, no Twitter - beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? Bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of original research, and interviews with leading space scientists, engineers and legal experts, they aren't so sure it's a good idea. Space tech and space business are progressing fast, but we lack the deep knowledge needed to have space-kids, build space-farms and create space nations in a way that doesn't spark conflict back home. In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, A City on Mars investigates whether the dream of new worlds won't create a nightmare, both for settlers and the people they leave behind.
With deep expertise, a winning sense of humour and art from the beloved creator of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, the Weinersmiths investigate perhaps the biggest questions humanity will ever ask itself - whether and how to become multiplanetary.
Ratings and reviews
3.5
4 reviews
Ralf Stephan
- Flag inappropriate
January 7, 2025
Nice summary of obstacles to independent colonies on Mars. Appreciate the breadth of arguments. However, the conclusion from the possibility of war is wrong because the ability to direct an asteroid applies not only to both sides of an Earth-Mars war. It also enables lunatics on Earth to destroy Earth civilization, so is completely independent of the question of a Mars colony. Pity that the rigor applied to most of the book is missing here. Recommended only if this is kept in mind.
About the author
The Weinersmiths, a wife-and-husband research team, co-wrote the New York Times bestselling Soonish. Dr. Kelly Weinersmith is adjunct faculty in the BioSciences Department at Rice University. Her research has been featured in The Atlantic, National Geographic, BBC World, Science, Nature and more. Zach Weinersmith makes the acclaimed webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal. His work has been featured in The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Forbes, Science Friday and elsewhere.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
