Return to Mars

Ben Bova has done it again. He has written a novel that is believable, exciting, and with uses technology that is not too far removed from where we are now. Return to Mars is a great mix of science, politics, and the ambition of man. You care about the characters, you believe the technology. It reminds me of the film 2001, I can see Mars and Return to Mars being made as movies.

(I listened to this book over the span of several weeks, during commuting.)Great book. Dick Hill does a great job narrating. He gives voice characterizations, via tone and accent, that clearly distinguish characters (essential), and includes the proper emotion, all without sounding hackneyed or forced. I can listen to the story without being distracted by the narrator -- the best compliment I can give him. I had heard one of his narrated audiobooks before (possibly one of Terry Goodkind series... the story of which I didn't care for at all, in fact). Seeing that he was the narrator of this book was a plus when I considered buying it.Unlike some of the previous reviewers, I thought the characterization by Ben Bova was fine. None of the characters were 100% good (Jamie makes you want to slap him upside the head sometimes -- "don't you realize your sanctimonious attitude bugs people you're trying to convince?"), and none of the characters were 100% bad (I respected old man Trumbull -- he merely followed his own agenda, faithfully).Some of the plot devices were a little heavy-handed or contrived or not integrated well, but overall the writing was solid. I never got tired of listening to the story, and enjoyed my commute (!).Also, Ben Bova perfectly handled one of my pet peeves with many authors -- he made this book work well both as part of a series and as a stand-alone novel. I had read the previous book a few years ago but didn't remember it well. I think an ideal series book stands fine by itself, and on its own merits makes you want to read the other books in the series.I would buy the third book if it's written -- hopefully seeing Father Denardo (?) and Jamie back together on Mars?

This book may be disapointing for one searching for non-stop action, however for the ones who enjoy sci-fi at its realistic best, this is the book to read. When and if we ever do explore mars, this may just be the way it happens. Excellent reading and even has the feel-good ending that we all need sometimes. Great book in my opinion.

Jamie Waterman gets a chance to go back to the planet that gave him fame & happiness. This time, however, there are forces at work that make this voyage dangerous from within as well as from outside. In this riveting sequel to "Mars", Ben Bova's smash hit, he again has written hard science fiction like no other, setting you right on the surface of the Red Planet. His characters are real people with whom you could easily work & explore. He makes getting to Mars like driving to the Painted Desert & stepping out of your car; I've been to the Painted Desert & Ben Bova makes me want to go to Mars. A great read! ..........

In a word: Brilliant! In three words: I enjoyed it. I started the book as bed-time reading, but found (to my wife's disgust) that it was keeping me awake at night. In the end, I had to devote a Saturday morning to finishing the book for domestic harmony.If your idea of a good read is a slam-bang space opera with cardboard characters, this is not the book for you. But if you like your books to be thoughtful and thought-provoking, with excellent characterization, then this is the one.Bova's strength is his ability to really make the characters in his books come to life. The scientists in the novel were just like some of my friends, struggling with the issue of how do you get someone to pay for your hobby and indignant that someone might actually want to make a profit from it. The mystery and tension built throughout the novel, making it harder and harder to put down. It was great. I am looking forward to reading Bova's next novel.