Its clear layout and part by part working through propulsive mechanisms both real and fanciful is commendable.

An addictive read although those of you who arent mathematically minded have no fear, the author guides you through the tentative steps like a tutor.

This is a definite must for all budding astrophysicsts and anyone out there who is Captain Kirk at heart.


Excellent!   November 9, 1998
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

One of the most readable, interesting, and "gentle" space science books for the general reader I've ever come across. More, more, more!


Great overall summary of Space Flight   May 8, 1998
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I have read this book over and over about 20 times and absolutely love it. There are many other books out there that also delve into the subject in great detail, but were not written to come down to the every day person level. It is not meant for the person that has aspirations of flying around the universe in a "USS Enterprise" vessel within the next 100 years, but looks at all of the possible means by which we may reach our nearest stars within the next 500-1000 years. Besides being great leisure reading it is also a great starting point for those people who wish to get more involved in the study of the theory around star flight. It left me with the impression that many many meathods have been devised and although many of them will probably never be realized, none should be discounted, because it will probably be some dreamer that actually stumbles on the loop hole in all of the "Laws" that enables us to blink out of existence here and re-appear many light years from our home.


Fasinating review of possible methods of interstellar flight   December 17, 1997
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This book takes the nuts and fits the bolts together. How could we hope to make it to the stars with real technology? Can we really answer this now? Mallove and Matloff have done just that. How to make a starship, based on what we really know today. What are the options? What needs to be done? Anyone who has looked up as a child to the stars, and who loves technical detail, will enjoy this book.