Kirkus Review
A vibrant telling, amplified by striking images and photographs, of the Curiosity mission to Mars.This is a National Geographic Society endeavor, and the society has a reputation for head-turning, worldview-shaking products; this one doesnt disappoint. In clear language, science writer and formerWashington Postcorrespondent Kaufman (First Contact: Scientific Breakthroughs in the Hunt for Life Beyond Earth, 2011) follows the scientific aspects of the project, including chemistry, mineralogy, climatology and geology, and he examines the important search for clear evidence of water through the probing of sedimentary layers, alluvial fans and rounded stones. As the Curiosity rover dutifully goes about its tasks, Kaufman follows the rovers progress like a play-by-play announcer. The scientists, a number of whom are profiled in vest-pocket biographies, all pursue their specific jobs with the fervor of zealots. Kaufman also provides a history of the two previous rover missions to Mars, which seem primitive compared to the clarity of the Curiositys relays, and there are a few dramas, which get milked for suspenseparticularly when the main computer starts to behave like it has a mind of its own. Stealing the show, as is often the case when the NGS is at the controls, are the photographs sent back by Curiosity. Sometimes, the colors are enhanced for scientific purposes, but for the most part, readers witness the actual scenes, which are at once recognizable and utterly alien. The light is strangely different, the geology so primal it feels elemental, and the sky like something out of 1950s science fiction. It is just what you want Mars to be: weird. Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, provides the foreword.A totally gratifying account of the Curiosity mission. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Countless books have been written about Mars, ever since astronomers could peer at the twinkling red orb through primitive telescopes, but none have ever included more sumptuous full-color close-up photographs than this engrossing coffee-table book on NASA's recent Curiosity mission. Veteran science journalist Kaufman spent almost two years with scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory looking over their shoulders as the high-tech rover touched down on the red planet and began the most intensive exploration of the Martian surface ever attempted. With the second anniversary of Curiosity's landing in August 2012 in mind, Kaufman collected as many satellite photos, maps, artwork, and rover-snapped photos as he could. The accompanying text follows the operation from the planning stages to Curiosity's past and future itineraries and introduces readers to some of the fascinating members of the mission's team. A delightfully compelling and informative peek at cutting-edge Martian exploration, this volume will appeal to space enthusiasts, engineers, and technology buffs alike.--Hays, Carl Copyright 2014 Booklist
Choice Review
Mars has fascinated people for centuries, and over a dozen missions have taken place with satellites and landers in the last 50 years. In this book, Kaufman, a science journalist and author of First Contact (CH, Oct'11, 49-0832), details the successes and tribulations of the Curiosity mission; the Curiosity rover landed on Mars in August 2012. The work contains first-time interviews with many of the mission scientists. Readers will also find images that had not been previously released and original artwork that enhances the presentation of the material. The volume was "created with generous support from SpaceX," and the SpaceX CEO/CTO Elon Musk wrote the foreword. The publisher, National Geographic, and SpaceX would like students and general readers to learn more about robotic missions, space travel, and Mars in particular, hoping to inspire future scientists and engineers to consider colonizing Mars. There is just one negative--there are zero citations to the scientific and engineering literature, not even a list of resources for further reading. In short, the book clearly demonstrates why Mars should be further explored with robotic and human-based missions. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and lower-division undergraduates. --Joseph R. Kraus, University of Denver
