Description:

The first of the three classic books Percival Lowell wrote about Mars...and the first in which he suggests that the famous "canals" may be artefacts of a dead or dying civilization. Lowell's theory---though derided by most professional astronomers (and for good reason)---had an enormous impact on both the evolution of planetary exploration and science fiction. Lowell's ideas were the direct inspiration for authors ranging from H.G. Wells and Edgar Rice Burroughs to Ray Bradbuy. Originally published in 1895. Contains the original illustrations and a biographical afterword.