The Snows of Olympus: A Garden on Mars [Hardcover]

Arthur C. Clarke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995 | ISBN-10: 0393039110 | ISBN-13: 978-0393039115

Using his own computer-generated color illustrations, the best-selling author of 2001 presents his vision, founded in fact, of the colonization of Mars, showing what humans could do to make it inhabitable.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Human beings could visit Mars in the early part of the 21st century if the resources were made available, asserts science-fiction novelist Clarke. Citing a report issued by the International Space University after its annual symposium in Toulouse, France, in 1991, he outlines a three-phase Mars mission: precursor robot probes to locate suitable landing sites and resources, followed by an automatic space-freighter carrying supplies and equipment and, starting in 2018, a piloted expedition. Clarke leans toward nuclear-electric propulsion and sees the moon as a potential low-gravity base. He envisions a terraformed Mars, re-engineered for human habitation, complete with abundant vegetation, unfrozen lakes, increased oxygen in the atmosphere and the greenbelting of Olympus Mons (Mount Olympus), the giant Martian volcano. Clarke's own dramatic computer-generated images simulating a terraformed Mars, along with Viking orbiter photographs and artists' renditions (in all, 80 color and 20 black-and-white images) make the Martian future look tantalizingly real. Newbridge Book Club selection.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Veteran science fiction writer Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey) presents a personal overview of the planet Mars ranging from astronomer Percival Lowell's (1855-1916) turn-of-the-century observations, which gave rise to the popular view that Mars was inhabited by an intelligent race of canal builders, to today's understanding of Mars as a much colder, dryer place?but still the most Earth-like planet in our solar system. Clark's futuristic vision postulates that Mars can be terraformed, its environment engineered on a global scale, to make it habitable for humans. Using computer-generated imagery, Clarke portrays the "greening of Mars" as the planet is slowly transformed over time. It's a visionary view, but one based on scientifically valid premises. Recommended for public libraries and large subject collections.
-?Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393039110
• ISBN-13: 978-0393039115
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,172,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"SIR ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008) wrote the novel and co-authored the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey. He has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and he is the only science-fiction writer to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. His fiction and nonfiction have sold more than one hundred million copies in print worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, but a bit too many pictures, February 4, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Snows of Olympus: A Garden on Mars (Hardcover)

As a reader of many of Arthur C. Clarkes books, I just had to get this one too.

I love the topic of this book. And to see how with available technics it would be possible to develop a "Garden on Mars" is very amazing to read about.

Unluckily, in my opinion, Clarke put a bit too much work into playing around with this picture creating tool. I am a computer techie and I know how much fun it can be to work with stuff like that.

But a view less pictures would have worked just the same.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Clarke book but too much computer generated pics, February 6, 2010

By 

Thomas Erickson (Lutz Fl and Felt Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Snows of Olympus: A Garden on Mars (Hardcover)

I'm a huge Arther C Clarke fan. The world misses this one in a hundred million futuristic visionary and superb writer.Years and years ago I read almost everything he wrote. I missed this one.

This book is 120 pages and is well written. I give the written material a 5 star. However 1/3 of the book is older computer generated pictures on different areas of Mars that have been terraformed at different times centuries and centuries from now.

Clarke was a realest about terraforming. He realized Mars terraforming would take centuries and centuries. Clarke explains why we must explore space and expand the human race into space or face stagnation and eventual collapse of civilization. He explains why it is essential for us to work with other nations together in the conquest of space especially Mars. He explained the need of cooperation in the cold war.

Different propulsion systems are discussed ( nuclear, ion, and antimatter). Read Dr Robert Zubrin's.... The Case for Mars (5 stars) for the real deal about Mars Direct on how to get to Mars.

Clarke shows support for a limited moon base but explains a Mars Colony is the key.

There is limited explanation as to the detailed methods of terraforming Mars. Many computer generated pics of Olympus Mars ( highest and largest volcano in the solar system), the Labyrinth of Night,and other spectacular areas of Mars.

Its interesting to see Clarke's genius older view of terraforming of Mars but I'm sure there are better books on terraforming Mars.

His computer generated pics are dated 1990ish. Its nice seeing some of them but he over did it. Wish Clarke had only 1/3 the computer generated pics and the space used for actual terraforming detailed info. This is a classic book. A good book for any Clarke collection. 4 stars