Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American ReadSix days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that … alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.
But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
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This shows how going to Mars, which is all the rage these days, is REALLY HARD, and not for people who can’t solve problems. It is based on actual studies and feels, uncomfortably, like being there.
I read “The Martian” by Andy Weir after I saw the movie and sometimes this can be a disappointment because, in my experience, the movie usually doesn’t live up to the book. However, in this case I can honestly say I was happy with both. The book and the movie were similar with only a few instances left out of the movie that I wish were not. But …
Amazingly well researched. Good character development.
This is a must read. A tribute to the human spirit and to our humanity, as the entire world is focused on one goal; to bring one human home alive. It makes governments, nations, politics and differences suddenly unimportant, as the world pulls together. On Mars one injured, lonely, terrified astronaut does the unexpected. He doesn’t give in to …
I loved tthat there was wit and insight in what have could have been a run-of -the-mill sci fi novel. It was so much fiun to read, even though there was some heavy duty science and math to get through. But you don’t have to have a stem backgroind to appreciate the ingenuity of the “Martian” himself. This is one I would reread to see what I …
I was prepared to be bored with this because it is not in my area of interest. Instead, I found it gripping and compelling. I loved the main character. Really glad I read it!
The protagonist portrayed as brilliant, courageous and resourceful without being cloying. Great primer on the difficulties faced by space farers.
Fantastic book. Enjoyed every moment.
In many respects better than the movie, although Matt Damon’s portrayal of Mark Watney brings something to the movie that the book lacks. But the book has much more detail, does a much better job of explaining the science, and is more believable.
(Except for the storm, which sets of the entire storey, but which couldn’t happen in Mars’ thin …
The book is ‘way better than the movie. Much care was given to the technical details of the story.
The science is spot on!
One of the very best you could put in your library. This was funny, inventive, a Mac Giver sort of book, but on MARS. Read it, I think you will enjoy it.
I really enjoyed this book, so much that I reread it after seeing the movie, which I saw after reading the book the first time. Great science, not just sci-fi, and still exciting on the second read-through. I liked the main character Mark Whatney as a scientist and a jokester, but especially as a problem solver. He was able to work out the …
best thing I’d excellent science
A really great read! I couldn’t put it down. Not too scientific but very informative and believable. And some parts are so funny. Unlike any other book I’ve read.
Always edge of your seat. Hare to believe for a man stranded on Mars. Great read.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. I hadn’t seen the movie, so the story was fresh. Loved the irreverence of Watney, as well as the the commitment of his teammates.
I never thought I’d enjoy a book full of science terminology, but I love it. The main character Mark Watney , despite being stranded all alone in a Mars is witty, I found myself laughing at his comments. I must say I get lost at times on his science calculations, but hey I’m no genius, but the story keeps me hook till the end.
Great!
One of the finest SF novels I’ve ever read. Had I read it as a youngster (a long time ago) I might have gone into engineering as a profession. The BEST depiction of how engineers think and work I’ve ever seen.