EyebrarianPrize winnersGet the app

Books › A City on Mars

Cover of A City on Mars

A City on Mars

Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith

448 pages

A hilarious, reality-checking splash of cold water on the sci-fi dream of escaping Earth's problems.

Where to buyBooks like this

What it feels like

Reading this book feels like sitting at a bar with two incredibly smart, funny scientists who are gently but firmly dismantling your sci-fi fantasies. It is a brisk, highly entertaining reality check that replaces starry-eyed optimism with a pragmatic, deeply researched look at just how hostile the universe is to human biology and society. The prose is conversational and irreverent, punctuated by clever cartoons that keep the mood light even when discussing geopolitical disasters or the grim realities of space-farming. It is perfect for fans of Mary Roach or Randall Munroe—readers who love learning about complex scientific and ethical dilemmas through a lens of sharp wit, ultimately leaving you with a newfound appreciation for our flawed but habitable home planet.

Mood
  • curious
  • grounded
  • playful
  • sobering
Tone
  • wry
  • pragmatic
  • humorous
  • informative
  • irreverent
Pace
brisk
Themes
harsh realities of space · human hubris · complexity of survival · ethical dilemmas of expansion · appreciation for Earth
The writing
Accessible, witty, and conversational, heavily peppered with jokes, cartoons, and relatable analogies.
The arc
Moves from starry-eyed optimism about space colonization to a grounded, humorous, and slightly sobering appreciation for the complexities of Earth.
Who it's for
Science enthusiasts and sci-fi fans who appreciate a heavy dose of reality served with sharp wit and engaging illustrations.
Content notes
  • existential dread
  • discussions of bodily functions in space
  • animal testing references

About the book

Earth is not well. The promise of starting life anew somewhere far, far away—no climate change, no war, no Twitter—beckons, and settling the stars finally seems within our grasp. Or is it? Critically acclaimed, bestselling authors Kelly and Zach Weinersmith set out to write the essential guide to a glorious future of space settlements, but after years of research, they aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. Space technologies and space business are progressing fast, but we lack the knowledge needed to have space kids, build space farms, and create space nations in a way that doesn’t spark conflict back home. In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, A City on Mars investigates whether the dream of new worlds won’t create nightmares, both for settlers and the people they leave behind. In the process, the Weinersmiths answer every question about space you’ve ever wondered about, and many you’ve never considered.

“Scientific, educational, and fun as hell.”

Andy Weir, author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary

“There is simply no more engrossing, entertaining, or thorough way to understand the intense challenge of humanity's off-Earth future than A City on Mars. I LAUGHED THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH.”

Hank Green, author of An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

“Listen up, humans. How to poop in space will be the least of our concerns. Herein are challenges most space-heads, including me, never even considered: not just technological, but legal, ethical, geopolitical. Despite the breadth and depth of research and some impressive near-wonk-level detail, this is a clear, lively, and hilarious read. Slam dunk, Weinersmiths!”

Mary Roach, author of Fuzz and Packing for Mars

"A City on Mars is deeply researched, hilarious, and sobering. Zach and Kelly Weinersmith have given us a bracing to-do list for the new age of space. Highly, highly recommended.”

James S.A. Corey, author of The Expanse series

Description from Open Library.

Books like A City on Mars

See why they match