Very good book about 100 people who are chosen to be the first group to colonize Mars. The first 75 pages or so describe the initial journey out within the spacecraft. This section is admittedly a little slow as the reader really just wants to get to the actual landing and beginning of the colonization process. The main characters are gradually introduced, a mixture of mostly American and Russian scientists intermingled with a few others representing Japan and India. Once we get to the landing on the planet, Robinson really shines as he describes as only his brilliant scientific mind can, the geographic characteristics of the planet. Intertwined with the scientific descriptions is a wonderfully compelling story as we are treated to the political struggle that takes place between the different factions chosen to be the first on Mars. There are those who do not wish to see Mars changed at all and will go to any lengths to see that nothing is done to alter the planet's atmosphere and landscape. Yet there is also an even more powerful group whose driving purpose is to terraform the wild planet and make it habitable for future generations. Some of the scenes dealing with the political arguments and struggles between the colonists are extremely intense and touch upon sensitive issues of religion, yet it is handled in a way that never seems judgmental or preachy. Yes, this is a story about the colonization of Mars but at its heart, it is a book about society and the struggle between conflicting ideologies. Robinson has always been a master at getting to the essence of personal conflict and the motivations behind that conflict. Red Mars truly is a multi-dimensional book that entertains on so many different levels. It is easy to see why this book won the Nebula award for best science-fiction novel.