Mankind has settled Mars, but the colony is struggling and tenuous and expensive. The Martians are told that Mars will be terraformed by dropping comets on it, restoring Mars' atmosphere. However, the project has to be financed by Earth and it is too expensive.... I thought this was interesting and clever. It is very similar to Robinson's Red/Green/Blue Mars series, though much simplified. ( )

Mankind has settled Mars, but the colony is struggling and tenuous and expensive. The Martians are told that Mars will be terraformed by dropping comets on it, restoring Mars' atmosphere. However, the project has to be financed by Earth and it is too expensive.... I thought this was interesting and clever. ( )

This was a quick read. Only 264 pages with a few one paragraph chapters. Pohl knows his science - I even asked Dad (the physicist) about the elevator into orbit and was pleasantly surprised. This coming of age story follows the hero from adolescence to (young) manhood with few surprises. He does get the girl(s) (sort of) and he does save the world. Mr. Pohl's commentary on capitalism and social conditioning make the deep story behind the young hero's adventure what I spent my time on. In all, it seemed a bit "Lite" but I did enjoy the story. Mom would approve of the young man and she will probabbly find this one in her stack. It did make me want to revisit Huck Finn.

NIL