The Big Book of Mars
(Quirk Books)
The Red Planet takes center stage in this entertaining, well researched, and fully illustrated pop history of Earthlings' long relationship with Mars, and its impact on pop culture, space exploration, and our hopes for the future.
Mars has been a source of fascination and speculation ever since the Ancient Sumerians observed its blood-red hue and named it for their god of war and plague. But it wasn't until 1877, when "canals" were observed on the surface of the Red Planet, suggesting the presence of water, that scientists, novelists, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs became obsessed with the question of whether there's life on Mars. In The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells suggested that we wouldn't need to make contact with Martians—they'd come for us—while, many years later, Nikola Tesla claimed that he did make contact.
Since then, Mars has fully invaded pop culture. It has its own day of the week (Tuesday, or martis in Latin) and an iconic Looney Tunes character. It has been the subject of novels and movies, from Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles to Mars Attacks! to The Martian. And it has sparked a space-race to send a manned mission to Mars in the near future.
Filled with entertaining history, archival images, pop culture ephemera, and interviews with NASA scientists, The Big Book of Mars is the most comprehensive look at our relationship with Mars—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
What People Are Saying
“A very well researched, hilariously written, & beautifully illustrated account of Mars & its exploration in human culture. Some serious fun! Hartzman did Mars history a great service.”
— Dr. Pascal Lee, co-founder and chairman of the Mars Institute and planetary scientist at the SETI Institute
"The Big Book of Mars makes for an excellent coffee table type of book. It’s simple, well-written, and way more entertaining than I expected. A perfect entry-point to get you started learning about the planet."
"Hartzman’s The Big Book of Mars is a wildly entertaining and comprehensive look at Earth’s obsession with its planetary neighbor. This book is recommended for NASA nerds, sci-fi devotees, and anyone feeling a little too cooped up at the moment."
— Jesse Davis, The Memphis Flyer
"Hartzman has clearly enjoyed researching and writing The Big Book of Mars as much as we've had reading it. As an extracurricular read, you'll learn a lot of very surprising things about our centuries-old relationship with the Red Planet and have a lot of fun in the process. 5 stars."
— How It Works, Issue 142
Planetary Radio Interview.
Mars has commanded our attention and stimulated our imaginations for millennia. Now, as three more spacecraft arrive, Planetary Radio talks with author Marc Hartzman about his new book that documents the fascination and fancy generated by the Red Planet. Begins at 9:21.
