It's a Small Solar System

"It's a Small Solar System" by Allan Howard presents a tale of humanity's initial voyage to Mars, stirring up longing for the bold adventurers of yesteryear and changes in how people view space travel. The story follows the crew of the spaceship "Goddard" – a Captain and two scientists – as they approach Mars, ready to investigate a large city that looks like it's inhabited. To their astonishment, they discover human-like beings who look surprisingly like people from Earth. A major turning point comes when the Captain meets a Martian who speaks perfect English and introduces himself as John Carter. The book blends adventure with ideas about how humans have developed, and what civilization is, at a time when reading and the arts are not as popular.