A City on Mars

Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?

By: Kelly Weinersmith, Zach Weinersmith

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Kelly Weinersmith, Zach Weinersmith

* THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Scientific American’s #1 Book for 2023
* A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice * A Times Best Science and Environment Book of 2023 *

“Helpfully pulls back the curtain on some of the lesser-discussed challenges to humanity’s off-Earth pursuits . . . Any reader enthusiastic about space settlement will find much to appreciate in this book . . . [The Weinersmiths] write with a confident belief that humanity will one day travel off-planet.” –Science

From the bestselling authors of Soonish, a brilliant and hilarious off-world investigation into space settlement

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:

Can you make babies in space? Should corporations govern space settlements? What about space war? Are we headed for a housing crisis on the Moon’s Peaks of Eternal Light—and what happens if you’re left in the Craters of Eternal Darkness? Why do astronauts love taco sauce? Speaking of meals, what’s the legal status of space cannibalism?

With deep expertise and a winning sense of humor, the Weinersmiths investigate perhaps the biggest questions humanity will ever ask itself—whether and how to become multiplanetary.

Get in, we’re going to Mars.

Fun and informative

Whether or not you agree with the conclusions I think there's some valuable insights and takeaways presented.

Excellent Listen

A great look at space colonization, the physical, ethical, legal, and political challenges thereof. Recommended.

The first half is really good

The first half is really enjoyable. It talks about the various technical details and unknowns about building a space colony on Mars, the Moon, etc. Then it goes on for way too long about the legalities of space colonization, as if that really matters. No one can enforce laws on Mars. We can't even enforce International law on Earth. We have similar treaties saying the Arctic doesn't belong to anyone yet Russia drills for oil there.

Also taking another star off for refusing to use the word space "colony" for fear of offending woke people that find the term "problematic".

Very fun and very informative!

This is a great book to learn and expand our horizons about space settlements and space travel, as well as a deeper look at human nature. I definitely recommend giving this one a listen!

A City on Mars

The narrator was top notch & the content hilarious and insightful. I would highly recommend for anyone, but especially those interested in space and space settlement.