Books › Packing for Mars
Packing for Mars
336 pages
A hilariously grounded look at the deeply unglamorous, bodily realities of sending fragile humans into the void.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting next to the smartest, funniest person at a dinner party as they gleefully overshare about the grossest aspects of human biology. The pace is brisk and episodic, bouncing effortlessly from zero-gravity toilets to the psychological toll of isolation, carried entirely by a tone of wry, irreverent curiosity. It strips away the majestic, sterile veneer of space exploration to revel in the messy, absurd, and deeply human realities of keeping our fragile bodies alive in a vacuum. The prose is conversational and packed with hilarious footnotes, making complex engineering and physiology wildly accessible. It is a delight for anyone who loves science but prefers their facts delivered with a healthy dose of scatological humor and profound, unexpected awe.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- fascinated
- absurdist
- Tone
- wry
- irreverent
- curious
- humorous
- conversational
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- fragility of the human body · unglamorous realities of exploration · human ingenuity · absurdity of extreme environments
- The writing
- Witty, footnote-heavy, and conversational, relying on vivid and delightfully gross analogies to explain complex science.
- The arc
- Begins with gleeful curiosity about bodily functions in zero gravity and expands into a genuine, awestruck appreciation for the audacity of human spaceflight.
- Who it's for
- Curious minds who love accessible science writing and possess a healthy appreciation for scatological humor and the bizarre realities of human biology.
Content notes
- bodily fluids and excrement
- historical animal testing
- motion sickness and vomiting
About the book
Space is devoid of the stuff humans need to live: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh veg, privacy, beer. How much can a person give up? What happens when you can't walk for a year? Is sex any fun in zero gravity? As Mary Roach discovers, it's possible to explore space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a 17,000-mile-per-hour crash test of NASA's space capsule, she takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of living in space.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Packing for Mars
See why they match
BonkMary RoachA hilarious, unapologetic romp through the awkward and fascinating science of human sexuality.
GulpMary RoachAn unforgettable, taboo-breaking tour through the surreal and fascinating mechanics of the human digestive system.
A City on MarsKelly Weinersmith and Zach WeinersmithA hilarious, reality-checking splash of cold water on the sci-fi dream of escaping Earth's problems.
An Astronauts Guide to Life on EarthChris HadfieldA masterclass in extreme preparation that somehow leaves you feeling profoundly calm and deeply appreciative of ordinary life.
The case for MarsRobert ZubrinA pragmatic, step-by-step blueprint that transforms interplanetary colonization from distant science fiction into an achievable near-term reality.
EnduranceScott KellyA grounded, gritty look at the physical and mental toll of living among the stars.