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jodonjo's review
Decent futurology overview. Good collation of several different threads. Not recommended if you've already read more than one good book on future trends.
savannaskye's review
What a load of pseudo-scientific nonsense, from an unconfirmed theory surrounding a genetic marker to the so-called genius of Elon "destroyer of twitter" Musk, save your time and money - any space book would be better than this.
teachinsci's review
4.0
A well written, interesting look at the past and possible future of humans in space. Impey takes us from the earliest rocket experiments by the Chinese to the modern ideas of space tourism. He then uses current ideas to imagine where humans will go in space in the future and when. One interesting feature of the book is a sci-fi aside that starts each section, the story of one adventurer leaving Earth for an uncertain future. In this story is the ultimate point of this book... that humanity must look to the stars to enliven our spirits and our future.
thomcat's review
5.0
This excellent book surveys the recent past, present, and future efforts of space exploration, then goes Beyond, to examine the future of humanity. Chris Impey has a refreshingly optimistic outlook and this well written book was a joy to read.
Each of the four parts has many interesting points, some of which I had not encountered. In the first section, the information about the explorer gene was particularly interesting, and in the present his comparison of near-future space travel to the early Internet is especially good. Each major section is preceded by a few paragraphs of fiction, imagining the world of young pioneers, soon headed for space.
The illustrations were mostly small and a few were difficult to read, but all were sourced in the back of the book. This, plus the excellent end notes for each chapter, allowed me to track down additional information. The index in this book is also well done.
Reading this, I was favorably reminded of an earlier book, [b:Colonies in Space|1672032|Colonies in Space|T.A. Heppenheimer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365589917s/1672032.jpg|1667039] by [a:T.A. Heppenheimer|1194986|T.A. Heppenheimer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png], which I read over 30 years ago. In both cases, authors who were very savvy in their fields extrapolated, piece by piece, on future of humanity in space. While precious little of the earlier book has come to pass, I hope that Impey's prediction of the future is closer to the mark.
Beyond is beautifully written, well sourced and a pleasure to read. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Each of the four parts has many interesting points, some of which I had not encountered. In the first section, the information about the explorer gene was particularly interesting, and in the present his comparison of near-future space travel to the early Internet is especially good. Each major section is preceded by a few paragraphs of fiction, imagining the world of young pioneers, soon headed for space.
The illustrations were mostly small and a few were difficult to read, but all were sourced in the back of the book. This, plus the excellent end notes for each chapter, allowed me to track down additional information. The index in this book is also well done.
Reading this, I was favorably reminded of an earlier book, [b:Colonies in Space|1672032|Colonies in Space|T.A. Heppenheimer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365589917s/1672032.jpg|1667039] by [a:T.A. Heppenheimer|1194986|T.A. Heppenheimer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png], which I read over 30 years ago. In both cases, authors who were very savvy in their fields extrapolated, piece by piece, on future of humanity in space. While precious little of the earlier book has come to pass, I hope that Impey's prediction of the future is closer to the mark.
Beyond is beautifully written, well sourced and a pleasure to read. I would recommend this book to everyone.
traky007's review
4.0
Really great, a whole lot of science and speculation crammed into an easy read. So many ideas, in fact, that I know I'll want to read it again at some point.
kelseyland's review against another edition
3.0
This book is more of a historical overview of space travel than a discussion of current/future space technologies, but it was still interesting, informative, and easy to read for someone without a science background.
mercourier's review against another edition
4.0
A decent layman's view of where we have been, where we are and what might be possible. Could have done without the fiction bits in between however.
friedegger's review against another edition
Decent futurology overview. Good collation of several different threads. Not recommended if you've already read more than one good book on future trends.
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