Book Review: NASA Missions to Mars: A Visual History of Our Quest to Explore the Red Planet by Piers Bizony

NASA Missions to Mars: A Visual History of Our Quest to Explore the Red Planet by Piers Bizony is full of NASA photography. The large-format book (12 × 12 inches) examines everything from the first tentative steps toward the fourth planet to the 2021 landing of rover Perseverance and beyond. Space exploration has always been about pushing boundaries, but perhaps the achievement which has most piqued a sense of possibility has been the exploration of Mars. Beginning with Soviet and American flybys in the early 1960s that were part and parcel of the Space Race, acclaimed space historian Piers Bizony continues through complete coverage of the Viking 1 and 2 missions of 1975–1976. Bizony also traces NASA’s acclaimed rover program, describing the development, technologies, mission histories, and achievements of the rovers Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity—all on the 25th anniversary of their first landing. While the billions of dollars and ingenious innovations have allowed us incredible views from more than 51 million miles away, no less incredible are the insights these missions, hardware, and scientists have provided into our universe—and our own planet. 

NASA Missions to Mars is an informative and visually stunning book with images from NASA cameras, works of science fiction, and more. I thought that the text was engaging and did a good  job of chronicling the journey to Mars. As one might expect, the information is very much centered on the U.S. efforts and projects on this front, so readers go into the read with that understanding. I think this book hits a nice balance for readers. There is a great deal to learn, enjoy, and simply marvel at here with neither getting too technical for us less technically inclined readers but not so fluffy and light that it falls short of what dedicated space fans will be hoping for. Less dedicated readers can be more that satisfied with the variety of images and their brief captions through out the book if they do not feel compelled to read the informative text. I liked the complete index and the chart of Mars missions by date, but would have liked to see some suggested reading or websites for further information included in the endpages as well. I think this book will be a well loved addition to public libraries, and the personal libraries of space enthusiasts. 

Book Review: Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz

Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz is a middle grade non fiction book. Over the centuries, women, people from underrepresented communities, and immigrants overcame prejudices and social obstacles to make remarkable discoveries in science-but they weren't the ones to receive credit in history books. People with more power, money, and prestige were remembered as the inventor of the telephone, the scientists who decoded the structure of DNA, and the doctor who discovered the cause of yellow fever. This book aims to set the record straight and celebrate the nearly forgotten inventors and scientists who shaped our world today.

Stolen Science is an interesting look at how great discoveries, inventions, and innovations have been mis credited over the years, although not always maliciously. I think that this was an engaging and interesting read, and teaches readers more about some individuals that had great impact in a variety of fields, and teaching them a bit about those fields along the way. While it does drive home the point that life is often not fair, and that certain people tend to get credit even though others do the hard work, which is sadly still often the case. The book also points out that hard work, continuing to learn and grow, and perseverance are important factors in the achievements these individuals made. I had read some of the stories previously, but they were well framed and I liked some of the additional details about their lives and families as well as the science or industry most affected by their work.

Dwelling on how those in marginalized groups were, and sadly are, treated in most arenas does not leave me with all that much hope after reading, even though more and more of this sort of information is being  uncovered and shared has shed some light on the issues, but there will always be those looking to benefit from other's hard work and take advantage of those with less social standing in any way they can.  So I left the book feeling more than a little discouraged, mostly because of how some of today's social issues mirror the same pattern of problems. However, perhaps if we keep pointing it out the next generation will make more progress than my generation, and those previous, have this far.  

Early Book Review: Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding

Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding is currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope Team unveiled the first ever image of a super massive black hole. This inspiring scientific breakthrough took years of hard work, innovative thinking, and a level of global cooperation never seen before. The challenge was immense. The goal was impossible. They would need a telescope as big as the earth itself. The technology simply didn’t exist. And yet, a multi-national team of scientists was able to show the world an image of something previously unseeable. Based off extensive research and hours interviews with many of the team's ground-breaking scientist, physicists, and mathematicians, Black Hole Chasers is a story of unique technological innovation and scientific breakthroughs, but more importantly, it's a story of human curiosity and triumph.

Black Hole Chasers is a middle grade non fiction book that is just as interesting an engaging for older readers, including adults, that are interested in the topic. I found the writing to be accessible and interesting, not oversimplified for younger readers nor overly technical. The information was well presented and I found myself intrigued. I enjoyed the asides of additional information and pop culture references, I felt they put things in context and might help the younger readers understand some of these references  that seem to consistently find their way into these discussions. I also like that the author took the time to show how many different people had a hand in the evolution of our understanding of black holes,  and how diverse they and their ideas have been over the years. No one individual, culture, or country can be credited with the discoveries or ingenuity that allowed for us to get an actual image of a black hole- never mind out current understanding of what they are and how they behave.  I liked that the author also included a proper bibliography and endnote citations. This should always be the case in nonfiction, but somehow it is somehow forgotten on occasion so proper citations always make me happy. 

Black Hole Chasers is a great read for anyone interested in black holes, and the scientific journey thus far in understanding, finding, and finally getting an image of one.