Overview

Is there life on Mars? If not, why not? These questions have gripped mankind throughout the twentieth century. In the shadow of the new millennium, The Genesis Question seeks the definitive answers from the scientists participating in the race to discover life on the Red Planet. ‘Ever since I was a small child, I’ve believed there was life out there. When I look at the magnitude of the universe, with its billions of stars, I believe that if life developed here on Earth, it must have developed elsewhere. We simply can’t be unique. I really don’t think we’re the most intelligent life forms in the universe, but that’s just my gut feeling’, Dr Claire Parkinson, NASA scientist. Of all the planets, Mars has exerted the most powerful allure over the human intellect and imagination. Generations of astronomers have expected to find clues to the origin and destiny of Earth and its inhabitants concealed amid the red storms sweeping across the surface of Mars. Today, public interest in the Mars mission is sky-high; the exploits of the tiny Mars Rover ‘Sojourner’ in the summer of 1997 excited the greatest curiosity in a space mission in a generation. In The Quest for Mars Laurence Bergreen has unrestricted access to a team of NASA employees – engineers, geologists and other scientists – who are consumed by the search for proof of life on Mars. As one formidable obstacle after another attempts to scupper their quest for a deeper understanding of life on Mars and throughout the Solar System, the narrative takes us step by step through the exhilaration and the despondency of their extraordinary adventure. Nothing is off limits in this unique, behind-the-scenes story of space exploration.

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9780006531340

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Reviews

Is there life on Mars? Will man ever inhabit the red planet? If you enjoy science books, written in an easy-to-read way, yet give real insight into the events that shaped our history then The Quest for Mars is a 'must read' book. The writing is so good that you will find it more like reading a well-crafted novel than a scientific journey. Bergreen really gives an insight into the main personlaities that have helped move forward our understanding of Mars. He was given access to NASA that many scientists dream of, let alone authors, while scientists and astronauts gave up hours of their time to talk about their work, hope, experiences and visions for the future. The depth of research comes over in the detail of the writing. This is one of the best scientific books you will find and if you have never read a scientific book, then this is one to start you off. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Laurence Bergreen is the author of the highly acclaimed biographies Capone: The Man and his Era, As Thousands Cheer: The Life of Irving Berlin, James Agee: A Life and Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life.

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