Return to Mars, by Ben BovaReviewed by: Ed (Wyrmtongue, Dec. 1999) "Return to Mars" is Ben Bova's sequel to the excellent novel "Mars" which dealt with the first manned mission to Mars and the discovery of life there. In this book, one of the original scientists, Jamie Waterman, leads the next expedition to Mars. This expedition is different to the previous one as it is commercially sponsored (with the ensuing conflict between commercial and scientific needs) and it stays on Mars for a much greater period. During studies near the site where the original Martian lichen was found Jamie leads an expedition to visit the village he believed he saw on the first mission. Once there he finds the writings of a long-dead Martian culture, but as studies are getting underway a series of bizarre accidents culminating in a fire means that the expedition has to leave early, leaving some members behind to wait for the next group. Overall a very good book, possibly not quite as good as "Mars", but Ben Bova's usual attention to detail and handling of the technical matters around space flight make this very enjoyable and almost impossible to put down. Unfortunately this book is not yet in the ICSF library, but the original, "Mars", is and is well worth a read.
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