Terraforming Mars

[watervole]

Can anyone recommend a good book on Terraforming Mars? I've found references to a few, but my wrists are getting sore from following links.

I need a good reference source for a writer friend. He wants to be able to get the science reasonably correct and he's not got a strong science background, so it can't be too complex.

Ideally, I want something that suggests a reasonably quick method of terraforming and hopefully involves use of a soletta. I'd also prefer it to be reasonably accessible to a non-scientist.

I've been pondering Zubin's 'The Case for Mars' but I gain the impression that a large part of it is taken up with how to get to Mars in the first place. I don't know how much of it deals with Terraforming.

I'm also interested in fiction that is well-researched on the topic (so Kim Stanley Robinson's books are one option).

I've been trying to find a web site that goes into detail, but most are furstratingly brief.

I found an interesting article here http://www.marsinstitute.info/rd/faculty/dportree/rtr/ls09.html by Paul Birch, that is presumably a condensed version of a longer article. Does anyone have anything more detailed on this particular approach?

Also, I'm sure I saw a review a few years back of a book that had loads of pictorial images of a Mars terraform, but I'm not finding it on my searches. Does anyone know what book I'm thinking of?

Comments

[cdybedahl.livejournal.com]

Steve Jackson Games' RPG supplement GURPS Mars might be useful in this case.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

THe reviews online suggest it's more to do with role-play on a terraformed Mars than how to actually terraform it, but I'll see if any of my friends have a copy to check out.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

looking at our copy, the relevant chapter gives an overview of the science and technology of a reasonably credible terraforming scheme for Mars, suitable for use as an RPG background. The book's bibliography cites Fogg, so that seems to be what it's based on. Would you like to borrow our copy?

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Yes please, I'd like to read it. Do you have my address? I'll happily pay for the postage.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

OK, we'll stick it in the post in the next couple of days.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Arrived safely this morning. Many thanks. It looks to be a good layman's summation of terraforming. I'm also reading the bit on early colonists. I think it's going to be a very handy introduction for my friend. If he wants to go beyond the basics, he can then move onto Zubrin's book, but the basics will be most of what he needs.

[cdybedahl.livejournal.com]

I know it has information on terraforming Mars (it's on pages 72 to 79 in my copy). The question is if it's sufficiently detailed for your needs. Although if it's not, the bibliography should give enough pointers to find more details.