Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Publications & Multimedia
  The Mars Project (Wernher von Braun)

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   The Mars Project (Wernher von Braun)
collocation
Member

Posts: 387
From: McLean, VA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-13-2007 06:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for collocation   Click Here to Email collocation     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Any opinions or reviews of "The Mars Project: A Technical Tale" by Wernher von Braun would be greatly appreciated.
This never-before-printed science fiction novel by the original "rocket man," Wernher von Braun, combines technical fact with a human story line in the way that only a true dreamer can realize.

Encompassing the entire story of the journey, this novel moves from the original decision for a Mars mission, through the mission planning, the building of the mighty space ships, the journey, the amazing discoveries made on Mars, and the return home. The author's attention to the actions and feelings of the characters — both those who went and those who stayed behind—makes this an adventure of human proportions, rather than merely another fanciful tale.

Dwayne Day
Member

Posts: 532
From:
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-14-2007 09:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dwayne Day   Click Here to Email Dwayne Day     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I read a review that will be published shortly. It's an awkward book, originally written in the 1940s. Not very good on plot or characters or dialogue. Mainly interesting as a historical piece.

Philip
Member

Posts: 6148
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 05-14-2007 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Reprints exist already, just a technical book but great stuff for the Mars enthusiasts.

Larry McGlynn
Member

Posts: 1373
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 05-14-2007 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Larry McGlynn   Click Here to Email Larry McGlynn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have the reprint from Apogee Books. I have read part of it. It is a methodical (slow), technical book with very fine print that requires a lot of focus to read.

It is great for the space history enthusiast, since it gives an extremely good view of von Braun's plan for the conquest of Space and a voyage to Mars.

If you are looking for a light summertime read, this is not it. If you are looking to gain some insight into von Braun's plans for Space exploration, then it would be well worth the necessary work to read it.

dss65
Member

Posts: 1294
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 05-14-2007 09:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dss65   Click Here to Email dss65     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Larry, you've hit the nail right on the head. If you're looking for riveting, fast-reading science fiction, look elsewhere. (My personal preference in Arthur C. Clarke.) However, if you're interested in a unique (and somewhat surprising) look into the mind of a visionary that played a key role in the actual pioneering of space flight, this is a book to be relished. I'm not in a hurry to read it again, but I'm happy it's part of my collection.

Gilbert
Member

Posts: 1444
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 05-15-2007 11:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To clarify, there are two versions of essentially the same book. One is strictly technical non-fiction, the other is in novel/fictional form but has much technical detail.

collocation
Member

Posts: 387
From: McLean, VA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 05-15-2007 01:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for collocation   Click Here to Email collocation     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For those that have a copy of the book(s) are there any technical drawings or pictures within the pages?

Gilbert
Member

Posts: 1444
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 05-15-2007 02:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Mars Project (non-fiction) has drawings and diagrams and tables, etc. Project Mars (the novel) has Bonestell paintings and other drawings.

Actually, on edit, Apogee advertises "Project Mars: A Technical Tale" as the first publication of the novel, in 2006. "The Mars Project" was first published in the 50's and reprinted in later editions.

Philip
Member

Posts: 6148
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 07-08-2019 03:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The name "Elon" is mentioned in Wernher von Braun's 1948 book, "Das Marsprojekt" ("The Mars Project") as the leader of human colonists on Mars in the 21st century.

Interesting fun fact to check.

rjurek349
Member

Posts: 1220
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 07-08-2019 08:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for rjurek349   Click Here to Email rjurek349     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From the version I’ve read, “the Elon” is a title, rather than the name of a person, such as “the President.”

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2022 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement