Rating: 
Summary: Martian exploration Bradbury style.
Review: I have read quite a number of Mars related novels, and seen many Mars related textbooks, as well as novels. The Martian Chronicles does not stand out as one of the better ones of the group.
If you like the way that Bradbury writes, then go ahead and get this book. Just don't compare it to the mini-series, they are rather dissimilar.
Rating: 
Summary: Hauntingly excellent
Review: Whenever I hear the word "Mars", Ray Bradbury's description of the red planet comes to my mind. The desolate plains of an alien world, abandoned not so long ago by an alien culture, is extremely beatiful and will haunt your dreams. The sadness with which Bradbury describes the twilight of the martian race, the colonization and desecration of Mars by the earthlings, and the subsequent death of humankind by its own hand remain with the reader forever. You can almost feel the cool martian breeze blowing through your hair as it sweeps the sand from the dead martian seas, and you feel for the martians as you watch their beautiful cities abandoned, their glory gone.
Even if you don't like science fiction, read this book, it's more than worth it
Rating:
Summary: A great book on the exploration and colonization of Mars!
Review: In light of last year's discoveries of possible microscopic life on Mars and water traces on the Moon, Ray Bradbury's MARTIAN CHRONICLES remains as great a work of science fiction since its original release during the 1950's
Rating:
Summary: The Martian Chronicles
Review: This book is no less than a classic. When I took it
home from the library and began, I was hooked for days. This is actually the book that inspired me to read Bradbury.
The book is familiar, the Martians are familiar. The short
stories that the master Bradbury writes are some of his best
works ever. This is not a story. This is a history of the
future.
THIS IS JUST A GOOD BOOK!
Even though I'm young, I don't see why that makes
a difference in enjoying good literature. THIS is good literature. When you read it, you fill in a gap in your life.
Theon Weber, Age 9
Rating:
Summary: Mars as Poetry
Review: A group of interconnected stories about the colonization of
Mars. Bradbury weaves horror and race relations and man's
failings and triumphs and even Poe into the tapestry. But
what holds it all together is his magical descriptions of
the planet's landscape and its people. Given what we know about Mars today, the book might seem outdated to some. Still, it's pleasant to think that Bradbury's poetic vision
of Mars might have been the truest. A fine starting place
for the science fiction genre.
Rating:
Summary: Vintage Bradbury. Unequaled visions of the Red Planet.
Review: Absolutely superb short stories chronicling the attempts by a warring Earth to land explorers on Mars. The golden-eyed natives enjoyed poetry, music, canals of wine, and telepathic prowess. But how would they react to the tall, blue-eyed, white-skinned aliens visiting from the distant blue-green planet? Through distinctly Bradbury poetic prose, the reader is drawn into the soul of both visitor and host in this mesmerizing, aesthetic account of their meetings. Not modern effects-driven attempts to scare or battle, the Martian Chronicles have taste, sight, smell, sound and most of all touch, as a result of the fluid metaphoric and similistic command of the English language by the master himself: Ray Bradbury
Rating:
Summary: Hauntingly excellent
Review: Whenever I hear the word "Mars", Ray Bradbury's description of the red planet comes to my mind. The desolate plains of an alien world, abandoned not so long ago by an alien culture, is extremely beatiful and will haunt your dreams. The sadness with which Bradbury describes the twilight of the martian race, the colonization and desecration of Mars by the earthlings, and the subsequent death of humankind by its own hand remain with the reader forever. You can almost feel the cool martian breeze blowing through your hair as it sweeps the sand from the dead martian seas, and you feel for the martians as you watch their beautiful cities abandoned, their glory gone.Even if you don't like science fiction, read this book, it's more than worth it
Rating: 
Summary: Not science fiction... But does that make it bad?
Review: Certainly not. Admittedly there are a few bland points but one must get over the fact that it really _isn't_ a science fiction book. By all means that does not make it bad. Sure, it's off a category or so but that's beside the point. To judge we must judge by quality and meaning, not simply a genre miscalculation. The Martian Chronicles portrays human behavior, ideas, and even fears. There are bland chapters and there are really exciting chapters. It's the feeling in the book that counts. Most books that involve other planets focus on technology, war, or a conflict that is external to the inner most thoughts and feelings of human beings. Bradbury changes that with his unique style in The Martian Chronicles. It doesn't ruin literature with modern literary devices that are overused or overanalyzed, yet applies them when appropriate - without disturbing the quality of the book. Unfortunately it's rather rigid. From discussion with others about the book, you either like it or you dislike it. There isn't a middle ground for The Martian Chronicles. It's worth a read so if possible rent it at your local library. I ended up buying a copy because I find some of the stories rather interesting. Try to make sure to obtain the book that has all the chapters - since I recall in a few versions there is a lack of a certain chapter. Final rating: 3.5 - It's a nice read but isn't a MUST have. The bland chapters are in bad places - it sometimes makes it seem like the book is dragging on instead of progressing smoothly. Overall, I can find enjoyment with little qualms.
Rating: 
Summary: The humans are coming
Review: Chronicles is less a novel and more a collection of short stories, some just a single paragraph, tied together by an overall narrative. There are Martians and the planet is portrayed with flowing water and an Earth-like atmosphere. This isn't realistic but it doesn't matter since the planet is a backdrop for the colonization and abandonment of the planet by humans. In fact, the book is mostly a character study of the humans who come to Mars and the impact they have on the planet. Some are adventurers, some idealists, some are just running away from something.
The stories also have a distinctive flair to them and reflect the 1940s in which they where written, several deal with 'atomic war'.
Rating:
Summary: Start out on Bradbury with one of his greatest.
Review: This is the fictional history of the discovery of life on Mars and its subsequent settling by humans. Every chapter is a different short story (sort of like The Illustrated Man, though IMHO better).
Ray Bradbury is definitely one of the most influential and prolific American writers ever. In a recent article Chuck Palahniuk listed this book as the one that inspired him the most as a young adult, always keeping a battered copy with him. I Love Palahniuk's work, so this is a big complement to Bradbury. As one "So you would like to..." list states- your grandkids will probably be studying this as a classic in the future, so check it out and find your Sci-Fi roots.
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