Rex Gordon (1) (1917–1998)

This started off quite strongly by posing conundra about the nature of time and whether the future can be altered. The main part was quite interesting and reminiscent of Wyndham's The Chrysalids - as was the book overall with its emphasis on ideas rather than characters or plot drive. However, I felt it tailed off at the end when the narrator returned to the present time.

Also known as "No Man Friday", this gem of a novel might well be titled "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" - although it is not connected with the 1964 film of that title.
One man survives the crash of the first spaceship to land on Mars and a second expedition is unlikely for many years. So the lone survivor is forced to make do with his very limited resources and to learn how to make use of what Mars provides for him - this version of Mars has a thin but almost breathable atmosphere as well as show more sparse plants and animals. show less

There are three colonization groups on planet Acorn. The "Blues" want to breed people to suit the planet, the "Greens" who favour severe Terraforming instead, and the "Yellows", not so highly thought of, who just want to use the place as a stepping stone to further exploration, in the hopes of getting a better planet.