A few years back, I picked up a special edition of Time Magazine that was all about Albert Einstein. It had a lot of new-to-me biographical information, and it did a surprisingly good job explaining Einstein’s physics. So when I saw Time’s “Mission to Mars: Our Journey Continues” on the magazine rack, I bought it.
Quick Review
It was just okay.
Longer Review
It’s worth taking stock of the fact that there is so much Mars-related stuff going on, but I think the writers were trying to cram too much into a magazine (booklet?) that’s less than 100 pages.
They touched on the search for Martian life, the Curiosity rover, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, Scott Kelly’s Year in Space, the competition between SpaceX and Blue Origin, President Obama’s space policy, production of The Martian staring Matt Damon… they touched on all of this stuff, but they didn’t go into detail about any of it.
Any one of those topics could have filled a whole magazine by itself (in fact, Time did do a special edition on the Year in Space mission). If they had narrowed their focus just a little, I think they could have produced a much more interesting and informative publication.
Recommendation
If you don’t know much about Mars and the current state of space exploration, and you want to be better informed, this isn’t a bad place to start. For people like myself who are already huge space enthusiasts, the forward by Buzz Aldrin is worth a look. Otherwise, I’d say give this one a pass.
Planet Pailly 
I’ve historically found the Time Special Edition issues to be visually gorgeous but typically disappointing as far as information. In the old days that information was often the best that was easily attainable, but with the rise of the internet, it’s been years since I’ve given in to the urge to buy one.
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The one about Einstein really impressed me. I still use it as a reference for biographical info. And I read another issue that was on a non-science topic; I thought it was pretty good. I’d still be willing to read another of these Time Specials in the future. I just think this particular issue missed the mark.
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Buzz aldrin is one of the greats. Thanks for the Mars advice. I’ve been checking out my trek library lately, feeling guilty for watching instead of reading too much these days. Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars are impressive page turners. These books will make you almost want to go hiking on Mars. .
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I need to read that series. Someone told me the science is a little out of date, but that won’t stop me.
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