Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) - , reviewed on 5/14/2015 + 215 more book reviews

In her book, Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, Mary Roach explores much of the fascinating everyday science that plays a role in space travel. In sixteen chapters, the book covers such diverse subjects as the psychology behind choosing astronauts for space missions, the multitude of physical and psychological effects of space travel and tight confinement on humans, sex, food, motion sickness, and even the seemingly basic task of using the bathroom. All of these elements take on a new meaning and level of importance when we, as a species, seek to launch ourselves into the zero-gravity environment of space. Interspersing her scientific investigation and interviews with a multitude of anecdotes, humorous commentary, and an often nausea-inducing level of detail; Roach culminates her work with an unexpected plea for support for a $500 billion mission to Mars. While the desire to bring humanity forward to the next great frontier of space is commendable, the way in which the desire is ultimately brought forward, with no prior mention and little direct support or evidence of the benefits or feasibility of such a mission, ultimately ends the book on a rather disappointing note. Still, Roach has plenty to offer to all the science and space nerds, Star Wars and Star Trek geeks, and the casually curious readers, as long as they all have a somewhat strong stomach and a real desire to learn something about the less visible and recognized side of what is involved in space travel.

When one considers the reality of space travel, as well as the dangers and complications inherent in launching largely fragile lifeforms such as humans into the void of space, with the specific survival needs and limitations that we face as a species, it is really no wonder that Roach is able to offer up a wide range of challenges and risks involved not just with the history of successful space travel but with every subsequent mission as well. Roach does have a tendency to launch into sometimes disturbing tangents that are not truly pressing for a reader. She spends four full pages detailing her investigation regarding a pornographic film that purported to involve a sex scene filmed in zero-gravity, explores the truth behind various rumors regarding space chimp masturbation, and spends a sizable portion of her chapter on the history of toilet use in space travel detailing the exact usage and difficulties of various technologies to that effect. Despite these tangents, overall the narrative of the book creates a sense of true intrigue and interest. After all, even if the reader is unfamiliar with the animals that preceded humans into space, the various human experiments and investigations that play critical roles within the space program, or the details behind the human bodys ability to withstand various forces, they are without a doubt compelling subjects of exploration behind the central subject matter.

While these tangents can sometimes be truly disturbing, the humor that is inserted within some of the more illness-inducing moments salvages things, such as when Roach explores the results of long-term lack of bathing on the human body, only for the reader to hear that Jim Lovell himself remarks that youre investigating a rather unusual aspect of space flight. This effectively breaks up what would otherwise be a non-stop thrill-ride of bacteria, body odor, and the recounting of results from several experiments done on the subject. Indeed, Roachs personality, inserted via several choice points of commentary and selective rendering of outside information, is by far the most enjoyable aspect of the book, as is the way she so frequently makes use of humor without directly referring to herself. On the other hand, when Roach details such information as the risks involved in an astronaut regurgitating inside their helmet, thus risking exposing the eyes to stomach acids, the imagery is not necessarily needed, and is certainly never appreciated. While the fact a reader needs a strong stomach in order to read this book has already been alluded to, it might be more accurate to say that the reader need not be a visual thinker if they wish to be able to appreciate the science without being subject to disturbing mental images of the books content. Though, even in this, it is ultimately worth it, as Roach reveals countless dynamics no reader uninvolved in spaceflight is likely to have ever considered.

Using her casual narrative style, in which Roach blends a series of interviews and factual investigations into a cohesive whole, Roachs tone creates a compelling and easily understood read for even the most casual and widespread audience. While the key argument of the book, regarding the hope of a manned mission to Mars, is not brought forward and argued until the last pages of the text, this stands out as the one true weakness of an otherwise fascinating text. This is particularly true in light of the fact that the majority of the book up to that point is spent going into great detail regarding the difficulties, challenges, and risks involved in even the smallest and most everyday aspects of space travel. Just as mankind has always looked to the stars and dreamed of travelling among them, driven by a curiosity too powerful to restrain, so too have those not fortunate enough to make the journey remained intrigued about what awaits us there, and what it takes to go safely.

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