Why You Can’t Catch a Rocket to Mars: Some Personal Reflections on Science and Society, by Lyndon N. Smith

Hey you, all lovers of science and technology, this richly illustrated book is for you, no matter what age and what level of understanding of physics you have. This is a combination of humour and scientific insight at its best. Lyndon N. Smith, best selling author and highly-acclaimed British academic, explains in a unique, provocative, and accessible way the past and present approaches of scientific endeavour and invites you to a discussion about the fascinating technological developments that we may expect to see in the future. This is popular science with a twist – both entertaining and educational! You will be taken on a journey touching on more conventional topics such as transport, robotics and manufacturing to the more exciting ones such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and rocketry. The author discusses the effects we may expect such advanced technologies to have on our lives, including the prospects for extending life and achieving interstellar travel, with all their astonishing implications. Physics students, academics or laymen, be ready to be entertained!

5-star reviews from Goodreads:

"This book made me rethink my attitude to the state of modern science. I see some processes are going wrong but it is good to read from such an author an extended variant of your own thoughts. This book directs us to think twice for every new thing we start to do. I did not buy the book immediately I saw it but now I think it is a "must have" book. With it refined and meaningful analysis of the development of scientific research, it helps us in our own work, making many events clearer.
I am happy to have this book."
- Professor Ivan Ivanov

"Interesting, intriguing and enjoyable reading. The book tackles a series of very actual topics, bringing up valuable scientific data, presented and explained in an easily comprehendible manner. The author shares also the fruit of his personal reflections on isocial, economic, educational and other matters - all the same in a casual, non-overdidactic manner, even with a humoristic twist every now and then. A lecture that made me feel enriched and entertained at the same time."
- Maria Rasmussen

"This book presents a kaleidoscopic view of the most prominent discoveries and inventions of our time and their role in the quest for understanding of the Universe. It comes with a fairly intense discussion on what the challenges in science are now and how the near future may be shaped by our decisions. Although, the opinions come from the academic/physicist/ engineer point of view, the book is extremely entertaining and accessible. Some hard science peppered with popular culture facts and heroes that make the journey vibrant and entertaining. Lovely and refreshing - I highly recommend this book to anyone!"
- Dr Luiza Dihoru

"An interesting book, a new way to understand life and the world around us. Mr Smith is an author whom you will hear about again in the future."
- Alexandru Ionescu

"This book takes you on a colourful whirlwind journey from space elevators to Victorian engineering, challenges of research funding, Brexit, AI, ETI, and Schrödinger's cat. All peppered with entertaining digressions involving more often than not Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek, the Greek islands and a plethora of scientists, inventors and political figures. Combining scientific rigor and a witty colloquial language, this is the work of Somerset based talented renaissance man and Arthur Conan Doyle enthusiast, Lyndon Smith - university professor, researcher, AI guru, author, gifted illustrator and all in all accomplished engineer. If you ever found yourself wondering why the progress of science might be hindered, if you are interested the challenges of applied research in modern day Britain, the prevalence of mathematical modelling and niche analysis over synthesis and big idea thinking, this is the perfect book for you. Warmly recommended!"
- Sebastian Rusu