Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring
Review: Although less focused than his excellent "The Case for Mars", "Entering Space" is an excellent book. I say less focused because in this work, Zubrin is considering a number of points for colonization (the Moon, Mars, asteroids, other solar systems), and a much broader time horizon. Thus, as one might expect, his "plans" are less thorough than the one outlined in his previous work. That said, they are equally sound at their core, and are rigorously supported through the use of easy to understand physics, chemistry, and even a little biology.Most importantly, though, "Entering Space" reiterates Zubrin's core argument: that it is an human imperative to explore, and that the failure to do so can only negatively affect our species. Ultimately, he's trying to get people excited about space exploration, to get them thinking about the enormous benefits, rather than the cost, and possible risk. This is a wonderful, inspiring work that should be read by anyone who's ever dreamed of treading on another planet; and perhaps more so by those who haven't. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant insight in present space technology
Review: Although this book presents some exciting possible technologies in the mid and far future, what I found to be the most interesting was Zubrin's personal insight in present space technology. As a former NASA engineer, Zubrin knows how business is conducted in the space industry, and shares his knowledge with those of us who cannot access this information elsewhere. But perhaps the most interesting was his view on how we, humanity, should move on from here, how to increase our knowledge and expertise in space technology in the next 20-50 years. All in all an excellent book space technology! Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Zubrin Zooms Full Speed Ahead
Review: Disclaimer: I've been a big fan of space exploration since childhood, so I'm already in the ranks of the converted. I got turned onto Zubrin through his previous book "The Case for Mars" which is one of the most important books on space exploration done in the last twenty years. So I came to this book with a high set of expectations. Where the Mars book was very specific, this book deals with the big picture. This works well when Zubrin goes into detail, but things fall apart when he is too theoretical. For example he gives a great survey on various potential methods for interstellar travel - but tends to get lost on more subjective topics like "if the aliens are out there". At heart Zubrin is an engineer, and this is where he shines. Even when he is taking apart previous concepts like L5 space colonies or Dyson spheres he is doing it with care and love. He does get a bit technical, and as I don't have a professional understanding of physics I did have to wonder at points if he was 100% on the level or not. Zubrin also tends to be a bit lost when he is dealing with non-tech topics like economics or politics, but you can excuse this because he is a non-apologetic advocate of his cause. If you are already into the subject matter this book is a must have addition for your personal library. However this book may be a bit much if you are new to the topic or get turned off by seeing scientific equations. But if you love the stuff like me, then you gotta have it! Now that it's in paperback you can also get a copy or two for your other geek friends.
Rating:
Summary: Check the numbers!
Review: I have only read the first seven chapters of this book so far, but I feel compelled to point out some errors of information. Zubrin attacks any idea that doesn't go to Mars directly without proper research. A few hours of web searching have shown that his pessimistic numbers about solar power and lunar agriculture are not up to par. Zubrin is a rocket engineer, and so he thinks only in terms of rockets. So far in my reading I haven't seen anything about light sails or his own magnetic sail idea (for an interesting breakthrough on magsails, run a web search for M2P2). Zubrin really, really wants to go to Mars right now, and so he tries to discredit any colonization ideas that don't accomplish that objective. Personally, I don't know why we would go to all of the trouble to escape one gravity well only to go and crawl down another one. On the good side, the initial chapters have educated me on the reasons why space travel is so expensive, and I am looking forward to the chapters about colonizing the outer solar system. The book is very well written, with a comfortable level of technical detail, and even its negative aspects have caused me to learn much more than I expected to get out of this book when I purchased it. Absolutely worth the money, but I can only give it four stars becasue of Zubrin's unreasonable treatment of other people's ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Let's go to Mars!
Review: I just finished reading this book and I think it's great! Zubrin picks up where he left-off with the Case for Mars, and really makes the case for Space exploration. It's an important and daring book that articulates a human vision of space exploration. We aren't going just for the science, or for the economics, although those are both important. We are going to go because our species and society thrive in a frontier environment. Mars, and later the rest of the solar system, and ultimately other stars, are the next frontier. Mars alone is a whole other world worth exploring. And in doing so, we have the opportunity to undetake the ultimate environmental act: to bring life to lifeless worlds. For people for are disenchanted with science, this book provides a vision where science helps humans achieve their full potential, and be their best. My only question: why haven't our politicians read this book?
Rating: 
Summary: Zubrin Hints at Shift from Visionary to Cliche
Review: I really do admire Robert Zubrin's work, and I take The Case for Mars as gospel, because the technical thoroughness and realistic nature of it transcends other books on spacefaring. I'm afraid that, with Entering Space, Mr. Zubrin has gone from engineer to fictionist. Sure, Entering Space is an exciting and engaging tale, and I revelled in each chapter as I couldn't put it down and sped through it in a night. However, beyond chapters dealing with near-term space business feasibility and Mars Direct, Zubrin's logic and believability breaks down. He cursorily takes apart alternative ideas with as much tenacity as he did in The Case for Mars, but in that book, at least he backed himself with well-thought out plans and extensive numbers. In this book, it becomes obvious that Zubrin's pontificating has an anachronistic limit, beyond which he becomes no more messianic than those he picks apart who share his genius but not his vision. I am glad I read this book; but in reality it is just an update of Gerard O'Neill's ideas, using He3 instead of solar power as the golden goose to escape earthly energy limits. In the end, I would have to instead recommend Mr. O'Neill's book, which was the product of many decades of work, to anyone looking to study the reasoning and numbers behind becoming a spacefaring civilization. Mr. Zubrin's attempt feels like a stream of consciousness scribbled from an after-dinner conversation. Perhaps after Mr. Zubrin has had as much time to ponder humankinds further steps into the solar system as he spent developing Mars Direct before writing The Case for Mars, he will be able to present a more cogent and convincing case for his plans; until then I would recommend this book to be taken with a grain of salt.
Rating:
Summary: A detailed technical manifesto
Review: If you're like me, you've always felt that it would be pretty cool (and useful) to be able to travel through space like we currently jet around the globe. If that's the case, then you've probably also ran up against a huge wall of "who cares?" whenever you try to express your excitement about the possibilities inherent in space travel. This cogent, well-researched book will help you do two things: Convince your friends that a spacefaring civilization is possible in the few decades or so, and that it is worthwhile. Believe you me - I have always thought that the problems involved in getting ourselves to Mars were more political than technical, but Zubrin makes it abundantly clear how we can get to Mars, the asteroids, and accomplish a host of other tasks, and all for pennies on NASA's current dollar estimates. Furthermore, he outlines the possible benefits to such programs, including the literally astronomical mineral wealth of the asteroids, technological drives, and the intangibles that go along with a new human push towards the frontiers. This book has rekindled the vision of space for me and every one of my friends who has taken the time to read it.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A touch preachy, speculative and stodgy
Review: Robert Zubrin is obviously dissatisfied with the state of affairs with NASA. He complains about the lack of funding for certain programs and the lack of direction from the top brass. He makes his point but he should have cut it short. The author seems to overlook potential pitfalls in his ideas. On using nuclear fusion for propulsion, Zubrin states that exhaust speed could reach 5 percent lightspeed, therefore Alpha Centauri could be reached in 86 years. This assumes that extra time for acceleration is negligible. For acceleration time to be negligible, the power involved would be well beyond what current research in fusion power suggests is reasonable. This oversight makes be doubt the feasibility of his much wilder proposals. I appreciate technical details but Zubrin uses a pedantic style of writing more suitable for a textbook than a leisurely read. Zubrin's previous work, The Case for Mars, was never so tedious. However, Zubrin does a good job on explaining many principles and concepts that would be of great interest to the space enthusiast--mainly on how to best exploit the solar system's resources while achieving inspirational goals for humanity. He also gives a concise overview of the debate on extraterrestrial intelligence an their detection. I do recommend this book for space enthusiasts, but they should take it with a grain of salt.
Rating:
Summary: A touch preachy, speculative and stodgy
Review: Some of Zubrin's ideas are rather wacky (like the prospect of humans somehow firing up a brown dwarf into a full-fledged star), but for the most part, this book is thought provoking and raises numerous good reasons for mankind to launch itself into space. His argument that we will stagnate if we remain solely on earth is quite convincing, as is his theorizing that our galaxy teems with other civilizations. For the most part, you can skip Zubrin's equations and tables and still enjoy the book. What really shines through is his passion about humanity's potential. We could do so much, he argues, if we could just get beyond the petty fighting that bogs us down on earth. After reading this book, I'm absolutely convinced that Zubrin is on the right track. He may be an engineer, but his real strength is the ability to transmit clearly and simply the reasons why we can't shut the door to the universe. I haven't read a better book about space exploration since Carl Sagan's Cosmos and Pale Blue Dot.
Rating:
Summary: ....And comes the revolution
Review: Two detractionist notions have been posed since the dawn of spaceflight as to why travel to other planets, and indeed, the great stars that lay beyond--were the stuff of science fiction. A)That such ideas were either impossible or impractical and B)That there is no real reason to go into space when we have problems here on earth. Robert Zubrin simultaneously destroys both excuses in Entering Space. In a literary style that is both eloquent yet simple, straight hard science yet common sense, Robert Zubrin lays out an explanation for why the atrophied space program is the way it is, and from there goes on to paint a practical and awe inspiring vision of what humanity could be, and why we should. Pages are filled with highly detailed tables, diagrams, and equations...yet what he writes is put so easy-to-understand, that you can skip over them entirely. The plan for a space faring civilization is laid out in three steps(Type 1: Planetary, Type 2: Interplanetary, and Type 3: Interstellar). And it cannot be overstated that this is perhaps the most perfect book ever written on the subject, and anyone from astronomers to scientists, to car mechanics will all understand and be inspired by Entering Space. It can be said that Robert Zubrin is no less than a modern day Wherner Von Braun...although I wouldn't want to give undo credit to Von braun :-)
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