A Passion for Mars; Intrepid Explorers of the Red Planet

New York: Abrams, 2008. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. 279, [1] pages. Endpaper maps. Illustrations (some in color). Index. Foreword by James Cameron. DJ has some wear, soiling, and a scratch at the back. Andrew L. Chaikin (born June 24, 1956) is an American author, speaker and science journalist. He is the author of A Man on the Moon, a detailed description of the Apollo missions to the Moon. This book formed the basis for From the Earth to the Moon, a 12-part HBO miniseries. From 1999 to 2001, Chaikin served as executive editor for space and science at Spacedotcom. From 2008 to 2011, he was a faculty member for Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. In 2013, he wrote and performed the narration on a NASA video re-creating the taking of the famous Earthrise photo during the Apollo 8 mission. His book A Man on the Moon: One Giant Leap states that he grew up in Great Neck, New York, and, while studying geology at Brown University, worked at the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Viking program. The quest for Mars is chronicled by Andrew Chaikin. It is the story of a passionate band of Earthbound explorers caught in the irresistible pull of the Red Planet. They include celebrated figures: astronomer Carl Sagan, who champions the idea of life on Mars; rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, drawing up plans for human Mars expeditions; and science-fiction author Ray Bradbury, standard-bearer for Mars's crucial place in human destiny. Readers also meet the rogue grad students known as the "Mars Underground," keepers of the flame when Mars falls off NASA's radar; biologist Jerry Soffen, looking for signs of life in a Martian meteorite; geologist Mike Malin, who defies skeptics to reveal a Mars no one imagines; and many others. Based on extensive interviews, illustrated with compelling images, and animated by the author's own passion, Chaikin's account will resonate with anyone who has ever dreamed of a journey to Mars. Condition: Very good / Good.

Keywords: Mars, Carl Sagan, Wernher von Braun, Ray Bradbury, Jerry Soffen, Mike Malin, James Cameron, Penny Boston, Jim Garvin, Carter Emmart, Ken Edgett, Bruce Murray, Tim Mutch, NASA, Tom Paine, Viking Project, Viking Lander, Steve Welch

ISBN: 9780810972742

[Book #75243]

Price: $37.50

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