With the premise that man returns to the moon in 1999 and establishes a permanent base there by 2020, science fiction author and editor Bova here fashions an intriguing “manual” for pioneers arriving at the lunar community. With 50 detailed illustrations by NASA artist Rawlings, the guidebook covers Moonbase history, architecture, ecology, transportation, science projects, jobs, training, industries, tourism, sports (“lunar jai alai”), entertainment, day-to-day life, duties, rights and laws: “No one is allowed to walk on the surface alone, except in the specially marked ‘Moonwalk Lanes.’ ” Combining fact and fiction in this “future history,” Bova presents a compelling and persuasive argument for mankind’s continual exploration of the moon and the establishment of a base on the lunar surface.

The author of more than 100 futuristic novels and nonfiction books, Dr. Ben Bova has been involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age. President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America, Dr. Bova received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation in 2005, “for fueling mankind’s imagination regarding the wonders of outer space.” His 2006 novel TITAN received the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel of the year. Earlier, he was an award-winning editor of ANALOG and OMNI and an executive in the aerospace industry. Dr. Bova is a frequent commentator on radio and television and popular lecturer. His website is: http://www.benbova.com