Mars and the public imagination around 1900 | Synapse
May 17, 2026Open Access
Mars and the public imagination around 1900
Key Points
To explore how the fascination with Mars influenced public imagination and cultural perceptions at the turn of the 20th century.
Literary analysis of David Baron's book on alien craze in America.
Review of historical context surrounding media and science fiction themes.
Identifies key cultural shifts related to Mars and extraterrestrial beings.
Highlights the impact of media on public interest in the unknown and alien narratives.
Abstract
Review of: The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn-of-the-Century America. David Baron (Liveright Publishing/W. W. Norton, New York, 2025). Pp. xii + 321. 32. ISBN 9781324090663.