The Hunt for Life on Mars

Science writer Goldsmith (Worlds Unnumbered: The Search for Extrasolar Planets) has rushed into print with a book designed to capitalize on this summer's astounding news that a Martian rock discovered in Antarctica may bear evidence that life once existed on the Red Planet. Goldsmith interviews many of the scientists involved in the startling discovery and brings their excitement to life. His prose is readily accessible to even the least scientifically trained reader, but his device of casting the evidence for and against Martian life in the guise of a trial is tiresome. Also disappointing is that the second half the book at times ranges far afield and reads like filler with chapters on the origin of life on Earth, the future of Martian exploration and the scientific method. Still, this is the most complete popular account yet available of the discovery and its implicationsDincluding theological, which Goldsmith considers in some depthDand for that reason it should thrive on bookstore shelves. Photos. 40,000 first printing; BOMC, QPB and Library of Science Club selections; Astronomy Book Club main selection. (Feb.)