Author:	Robert L. Forward
Copyright:	1991
Date Reviewed:	9/1/92
Rating:	8.0

Although not one of his better novels, "Martian Rainbow" is quite enjoyable and many times difficult to put down. Twin bothers Gus and Alex Armstrong lead a task force to retake Mars from the Neocommunist scientists who have claimed it. The battle is brief and decisive. Gus, the scientist, remains on Mars as governor to continue the scientific exploration of the planet while Alex returns to Earth as a hero. Though he expects permanent promotion and a position in the Pentagon, Alex is demoted back to a two star general for having killed the leader of the revolt enroute home. He quits the army and joins with Rob who has masterminded an incredible con. Rob promotes Alex as the next messiah and Lord of the Church of the Unifier. Through a complex pyramid organization, Alex is successful in being elected President in perpetuate and eventually consolidates the entire world under his absolute control.

Events are progressing well on Mars while Earth falls. The scientists have discovered living lineups and are developing an better society. Eventually Alex demands that control of the Moon and Mars be turned over to him. Before he can take the Moon, the Mars residents stage a daring rescue of the scientists there with only one loss. Gus's girlfriend Tanya is captured and becomes Alex's love slave. At first she plots to kill him but eventually tries to keep him alive since only he can save the world each week from the dooms day bomb he placed in orbit.

When their supplies are cut off, the Mars inhabitants attempt to Teraform their new planet. They find that the lineups can reproduce quickly with readily available raw materials and by diverting an asteroid, they create a huge well with an almost breathable atmosphere. They also melt the ice caps providing more water. It turns out the lineup are really reproducing robots, not living creatures.

Eventually, with help from a fifth column, Gus travels back to Earth and sneaks into to Alex's fortress on Crete to confront him. Alex dies of a heart attack and Gus assumes his personality and left hand to right all the wrongs his brother did.

I enjoyed the book because it was easy to read and held my interest. Robert Forward writes some of the hardest science fiction today. Though some of the geological science was a little hard to follow, most of it was entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the lineups and how they were able to do so much simply by making so many copies of themselves. Although I was uncomfortable at first with the power Alex was able to give himself, that is perhaps not such an unlikely possibility if one looks back at just some of the events of this century. There's no better way to stir up people than a religion and many will simply follow the leader whether they believe or not.

There were a few problems with the plot. Worst were the weapons that were so easily deployed in orbit. Though they were trivialized, I believe the technology would be far beyond even 2040. I was also disappointed that Communism is still the popular threat. Its dead, can't we let it lie. The characters were somewhat two dimensional. Alex was completely and his cronies were completely evil while it seemed everyone on Mars was completely good. A better mix would have led to a better story. The ending was a little too pat. There was room left over for a sequel which I look forward (no pun intended) to.