The Planetary Society Book Club: "The Martians" Author David Baron

It was common knowledge at the turn of the 20th century that an advanced civilization on Mars had built stupendous canals, and might be trying to contact Earth. None of this was true, but authorities ranging from Alexander Graham Bell to Nikola Tesla believed. Much of this mass delusion came from the well-meaning efforts of amateur astronomer and spellbinding speaker Percival Lowell, though he was aided by the best and worst media powers of the day. David Baron spent 7 years researching this wonderful chronicle. He reveals stories and documents never before published. Mat Kaplan welcomed David for an utterly fascinating conversation about this very human tale.