Compassing Mars

Richard Strawn shares a riveting assortment of poems comprising a storyline of a seventh mission to Mars with a shocking twist when one astronauts disappears

Unique New Xulon Book Intertwines Poetry With Space Travel And An Exciting Journey To Mars

Richard Strawn shares a riveting assortment of poems comprising a storyline of a seventh mission to Mars with a shocking twist when one astronauts disappears

2016-09-27

MAITLAND, FL— Richard Strawn’s new book, Compassing Mars, ($18.99, paperback, 9781498479219; $9.99, e-book, 9781498479226) creatively tells the story of the seventh mission of humans to Mars, from launch from Earth on May 20, 2027, landing and exploring Mars, and returning to Earth on August 12, 2028. He accomplishes this unique endeavor through his refreshing use of poetic words. Through his writing, he shows how venturing to the planet Mars will provide a much-needed perspective on Earth – everyone’s unity as a planet, their divisions, their environmental challenges, history, literature, war and peace, faith and hope. 

According to Richard Strawn, this mission has definite scientific and astronomic purposes. In addition, as expressed by one of the seven members of the crew, “We go to Mars for our souls as much as for science.” Compassing Mars exists in “an interface of past, present and future,” as the members of the crew draw from wisdom of the Bible, literary works of the past, and 70 years of space exploration, and as they question what treasures they bring from Mars back to Earth. The book adopts the Old English pattern of stresses and alliteration, since poetry imposes discipline, provides patterns, provokes imagination, and unites individual viewpoints.  

As a book of the 21st century, Compassing Mars provokes reflection on these matters of our existence and one’s relationships with God, themselves and each other,” states the author. “Compassing Mars is a story of a journey for our time.”

Richard Strawn provides his opinion that since the space programs of the ‘60s, humans have seen the Earth as one world, yet they have not learned to live that way. He hopes that his book provokes a renewal in thinking of God's call to unity of all humanity and all creation.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Compassing Mars through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. 

 

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