A great example of realistic science fiction! I thought that this was a very good read. A little slow at times (as others have stated), but Mr. Bova keeps the exploration and discovery aspect very well balanced with character development. I especially liked the background chapters (how did this person get into the Mars program, what drove them to become the best in their field). I've not read all of the Grand Tour series, but if the remaining books are of this quality, then I have a lot to look forward to. ( )

I imagine that the dusty ball of rock that we call Mars will remain the subject of stories until we have actually explored the planet in reality. Ben Bova takes this scientific urge and moulds a realistic approach to our potential first manned mission. The mission is fraught with potential dangers, not only from the hostile planet itself, but from the stretched emotional states of the scientists and astronauts that will make the journey and ultimately set foot on the dusty Red Planet. Bova weaves a clever mix of science, politics and human psychology around a setting which is both mysterious and exciting. With the books grounding in a realistic approach the action is not required to be non-stop and Bova's approach is to use the unexpected to draw the reader in, creating tension, rather than a more gung-ho approach to fiction. A very good sci-fi read indeed. ( )

If you can squint past the pancaked layer of sexism and other brazen stereotypes that pepper this book that could be no more clearly written for 15-year-old boys than it is, the story is a passably interesting and relatively scientifically accurate account of what a peopled expedition to the Red Planet might actually be like. The story kept me reading, even while the dialogue was tired and the characters made me want to smack them. ( )

The story of Man's journey to the red planet and their explorations there... ( )

In the midst of all the politics, please remember your vitamins.

A Soviet dominated mission to Mars is put together, and a rather late inclusion is a Native Amreican geologist. When they actually arrive, after a few hair-raising moments on the trip there, he ignites controversy by speaking his native tongue instead of what the cue cards suggest.

While landed successfully, the mission has some serious problems to overcome, to survive.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/08... ( )