Rating: 
Summary: Riviting read.....very "Red" perspective
Review: "Red Perspective" meaning from that of one who belives that Mars should be kept in it's pristine condition, untouched by man(except for a select few scientists) for all time to protect whatever life mayor may not be there.However, although I personally disagree with that perspective, I found this to be a riviting book which I couldn't put down. Yet another mission to mars, and Jamie finally gets to see if his cliff dwelling is just a figment of his imagination, or ruins left by ancient martians, long dead. This mission is also fraught with accidents, which one of the crew belives is a sabouteur. Almost unthinkable in the close-knit group of scientists. Mars is the next frontier to be explored, mapped, and colonised(I hope) in this century. Until we get there, reading an excellent account such as this, and others give food for thought of what to do once we get there.
Rating:
Summary: Riviting read.....very "Red" perspective
Review: "Red Perspective" meaning from that of one who belives that Mars should be kept in it's pristine condition, untouched by man(except for a select few scientists) for all time to protect whatever life mayor may not be there. However, although I personally disagree with that perspective, I found this to be a riviting book which I couldn't put down. Yet another mission to mars, and Jamie finally gets to see if his cliff dwelling is just a figment of his imagination, or ruins left by ancient martians, long dead. This mission is also fraught with accidents, which one of the crew belives is a sabouteur. Almost unthinkable in the close-knit group of scientists. Mars is the next frontier to be explored, mapped, and colonised(I hope) in this century. Until we get there, reading an excellent account such as this, and others give food for thought of what to do once we get there.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent sci-fi audio
Review: (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?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent sci-fi audio
Review: (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?
Rating: 
Summary: This is not Mission to Mars
Review: And thank god for small mercies. Though this sequel is far better than the first book in the series it is not without its problems. Bova is proving a master at evoking mood and atmosphere, placing the reader right smack in the middle of whatever setting the story is taking place in - the terrifying danger of Mars with its harsh environment - low air pressure, lack of O2, etc - are brought home in startling reality. It's in character and plotting where Bova gets into trouble. As in the first book Bova's characters are very superficial and one dimensional - all. The lack of professionalism and leadership on these missions just does not ring true with all the petty bickering, racism and manipulation going on between the crew. Who chooses these people? Don't they undergo extensive psychological testing? Don't they work and train together for extended periods of time to weed out problems and conflicts? This is a big problem with these books and at times they ruin the reading experience. The characters all act of complete selfishness and immaturity then Bova attempts to 'add depth' by providing excuses for their behaviors and attitudes ie)Jamie facing racism all his life drives him to prove himself; Dex Trumball's abandonment and neglect by his father drives him to prove himself; Vijay's treatment at the hands of men leads to her to manipulate them for sex and her own means, male chauvinism drives her to prove herself, and on and on. The heavy handed moralizing (ie) the worthiness of science vs money and tourism, and the prejudiced stubbornness of even Jamie gets tiresome and downright frustrating. As well Bova's story plotting could stand some scrutiny - there are great items like the exploration of Olympus Mons, the volcano, providing some real suspense and moments of terror - but the story is tripped up when the subplot of the possible saboteur takes the book in a wildly divergent direction and creates a tedious and false sense of suspense. The last third of the book, however, does redeem Bova's story in the way we see the characters grow and learn (albiet a bit quickly) and the various threads come together. This book is plotted and paced tighter than the first, avoiding the too long flashbacks to Earth. All in all a good story that sets the groundwork for a third book. We can only hope Bova reaches a little deeper in terms of character and brings their level of realism to the same level as his storytelling and ability to draw the reader into the story.
Rating:
Summary: Bova does it again!
Review: Another good one by Bova, this is about the second human expedition to Mars, with the Jaime Waterman character returning, this time as Mission Director. Bova continues his theme of life being ubiquitous. He has Waterman discovering the remains of a pueblo-type building built some 65 MYA by intelligent Martians whose civilization apparently was destroyed in the same cataclysmic meteor or comet shower that resulted in the K-T extinction on Earth. He also weaves in a clear message against tourism on Mars (a problem, even a debate, that we won't have to deal with for quite some time yet). A good read.
Rating:
Summary: Bova does it again!
Review: Another good one by Bova, this is about the second human expedition to Mars, with the Jaime Waterman character returning, this time as Mission Director. Bova continues his theme of life being ubiquitous. He has Waterman discovering the remains of a pueblo-type building built some 65 MYA by intelligent Martians whose civilization apparently was destroyed in the same cataclysmic meteor or comet shower that resulted in the K-T extinction on Earth. He also weaves in a clear message against tourism on Mars (a problem, even a debate, that we won't have to deal with for quite some time yet). A good read.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the Characters - What's with the 50's style racism
Review: As a science fiction novel I found this to be very interesting and compelling and well thought out. The science was deeper than I expected, and nicely done. IMHO there are three major problems with the book. 1) the sabotage plot seems forced and ultimately unsatisfying. 2) the characters develop just exactly as you think they would, which is just a bit boring. 3) the anti-indian racism was like something out of a 50's movie. Does anyone still talk that way? And who was the evil genius who put these mostly incompatible people together for a years long trip? Anyway, a fun read, but none too deep.
Rating:
Summary: Return to Mars is an excellent sequel
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Return to Mars is an excellent sequel
Review: 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.
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