This is the space stuff that isn't written down for science (or, if it is, the stuff that doesn't get repackaged for the public). It's about all the tests that you have to do beforehand, and about exactly why taking a corned beef sandwich in to space is a bad idea. Written in an engaging way, at least half will be new to the most avid space enthusiast. A really fun read!

A good read that was fun, discusting, and entertaining. The questions remain relevent, but due to the high rate of space exploration, it seems, at time to be out of date.

“Packing for Mars” was informative and funny. It exposed the not-so-glamorous side of space travel and it definitely gave me a new appreciation for gravity!

Even if you don't think you'd be interested in this topic, you will find it facinating reading. And a very humorous book to boot! We currently take space station travel and life on a space station as everyday unremarkable. We give little thought the the idea that at one time scientists were not even sure that the human body woukd operate in zero gravity. Ms. Roach begins her story with early experiments to explore such fears and continues to explore the challenges for longer and more challenging questions of travel to Mars: how will we feed the crew given the weight of needed food? How will (and have) they deal with human wastes? What are the psychological problems with a small crew in confined spaces for long periods of travel?

This was informational, educational, and just plain FUN TO READ! I enjoyed being a shameless voyeur of all that goes into space flight and the preparation for it, and the aftermath. It wasn't full of science-y language nor hard to understand terms and equations, it was a lot of what I enjoy in this kind of book. I was loaned this book by a friend and would recommend it to anyone who is as interested in "all things space" as I am. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

As you read this, the Curiosity rover is travelling towards Mars, and is expected to arrive next August. If there were humans aboard, things would be even more complex. Our bodies are not designed for weightlessness, or extra gravitational forces. We need to bring our air along with us. We may not get along with one another if we’re confined in close quarters for too long. Using extensive interviews with astronauts, cosmonauts, scientists and NASA officials, science writer Mary Roach has a written a gossipy history of space flight, while describing the anticipated problems of future space flight. San Francisco's 'One City One Book'

Mary Roach's brilliant sense of humor and wit make this an engaging, delightful, and memorable read. Also by her are Spook, Bonk, and Stiff whcih I recommend as well; though Packing For Mars deals with lighter subject matter than her other three books.

A delightfully entertaining, well written book on some of the less glamorous aspects of space flight.

A very entertaining read about the space program.

I enjoyed learning about the human element and stories of space travel. This was an enjoyable read about a subject I know very little about and had very little interest in learning. The author managed to teach and amuse me which is something I'm always looking for.