Kim Stanley Robinsons Mars Triology

Kim Stanley Robinsons Mars Trilogy is about Man's endeavour to settle on Mars and the rest of the solar system. The books are composed of 'Red Mars', 'Green Mars' and 'Blue Mars'.

For this review I don't want to disclose the many plots rather explore the technology and science fiction themes, and the implications on humanity that it has.

Travel between planets

The first leap in technology is travel between planets. This is an old science fiction theme, yet opens up much to speculate upon. For the 'First' one hundred the trip takes months and its implications sets up the characters for the books to come.

Longevity

Treatments to radically prolong life are developed early on in the book. There are many implications for longer human life throughout the book.

Sociology: with human life extended, populations expand causing overcrowding on earth. This overcrowding leads to immigration to the outer reaches of the solar system.

Psychological: When the brain cannot hold onto the memories of such a long past, a type of dementia/amnesia occurs. Mental health issues arise of which humanity has never had to deal with before.

Conflict with earth

Natural disaster, overpopulation, the maternal shadow of earth all lead to conflict with Mars and its inhabitants. Mars is resource rich, while earth's resources are been consumed by its inhabitants at non-sustainable rates. This tension is a constant theme.

The Space Elevator

Again this is not an old concept. The movement of people out of a planets gravity by the usage of space elevators. A much cheaper alternative than conventional rockets and planes to escape the planets gravity.

Sociological/political/economic

This is where you can feel Robinsons has a real passion. Starting a world afresh with an emphasis on the environment, economics more in line with a barter system, equality for all. This was emphasised a lot, especially in the last book.

Conclusion

All of these ideas run throughout the trilogy. Some lead to dead ends other, keep rolling on with open questions. Like all great trilogy's you don't want it to end.