---
title: "The Martian"
description: "(http://www.amazon.com/Martian-Andy-Weir/dp/0553418025) is an engineer's dream story. The story opens with Mark Watney being stranded on Mars after an accident occurs. The book…"
canonical: "https://www.baldengineer.com/the-martian.html"
author: "James Lewis"
date: "2015-11-13T07:30:47Z"
lastmod: "2022-03-31T15:32:32Z"
image: "https://www.baldengineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The_Martian_2014.jpg"
categories: ["books","reviews"]
tags: []
---

# The Martian


[The Martian by Andy Weir](http://www.amazon.com/Martian-Andy-Weir/dp/0553418025) is an engineer's dream story. The story opens with Mark Watney being stranded on Mars after an accident occurs. The book is a collection of his daily logs on the Martian surface, chronicling the measures he takes to stay alive.

Rarely do I read a fiction book so well thought out, I start solving the problems along with the characters.  Midway through I was excited because I would see Mark's solution as one of the possible answers in my head. I also found myself invested in what happens to Mark. He is a likeable guy and, at least for me, easily relatable.

One cliché I didn't care for was the "evil" mission control characters. NASA has struck me as an organization that is pretty level-headed, with most of its decision makers have some engineering background. A few times it seems mission control has lost their mind--like you see in poorly written movies.

That flaw is pretty minor, though, especially compared to the quality of the overall writing.

If you are someone who has a passion for space exploration, interest in going to Mars, and an engineer: [The Martian by Andy Weir](http://www.amazon.com/Martian-Andy-Weir/dp/0553418025) is a must-read.