The Martian (6 points)

 The Martian is an incredible read. Using both technology, and scientific and mathematical factors add a sense of realism to a story that can make it believable, which happened in the case of The Martian. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this book are the details used in describing the math and sciences of all the problems that Mark Watney encounters. For example, Watney has to combine oxygen and hydrogen, and to get hydrogen, he has to slowly get hydrozine into a transition to become it. He has to do this just to create water. Everything he does to get his crops growing involves detailed scenarios of how Watney is able to make it possible. This level of information actually had me convinced that the story could be based on a true story although it also did seem too fantastic. Nevertheless, I did end up googling it to see if it was, it isn't. But again, the level of descriptive information feels like the author put a lot of thought and study into the subject.

This story is a space story, and so it did feature vehicles, not just a spaceship, that were unique to space rather than Earth. The technology in this story played significant roles. They were not so simple as just being a means to an end. The HAB was a base of operations that became a home, and a farm due to the creativity and intelligence of Watney. The 2 rovers (4-wheel drive vehicles), were modes of transportation, but also at times temporary bunks in critical times, whereas originally they had just been used for short distance transportation. Even the spacesuits became multipurpose, as well as the Oxygenator. Watney was able to multipurpose all of the equipment, or most of it, to sustain himself past the normal expected outcome. 

The story overall was very exciting, and even funny. Plus, knowing what technology was used, what it was for, and then seeing Watney repurpose it was very fascinating. Whereas the story could have been dry because of all this factual information, the mood was brought into a more interesting read with the personality of Watney. Much of the story appeal is the personality of Watney, as he struggles to survive on a planet that is not designed for sustaining life. Watney's personality, the technology and how it was used, all create an epic read. 

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