The science fiction imagining of a former rocket scientist, Matter of Resistance pushes technology and human nature to the limits as it chronicles our Mars settlement's struggle for independence from Earth. Though it was written for young adults, it's received high praise and recommendations from top minds in science, aerospace, and defense. This version of the book, released in August of 2013, is the second edition. "A really interesting story that examines space travel within the possibilities of today's technology and in the context of natural human drives. I loved this story. I recommend it." - MARK CANTRELL, PhD, NASA Orion Materials and Processes, Senior Staff "This captivating story bears the unmistakable mark of an instant SF classic, in that the science (while as solid as you would expect from a friggin rocket scientist) is merely a backdrop for a fascinating introspection into human nature. Matter of Resistance might not cure your Asimov or Clarke nostalgia, but it will certainly infect you with the Vogel virus. There, you have been warned." - SORIN SUCIU, author of the laugh-out-loud contemporary fantasy, The Scriptlings (Fall, 2013) "Picked up the book to read the first chapter - didn't put it down until I finished the entire book. Captivating, suspense-filled reading, beginning to end." - COLONEL ROSS NUNN, USAF Retired; former Commander of the Air Force Astronautics Lab; early proponent of antimatter and fusion-based propulsion research "Adding real science to its fiction, Matter of Resistance gives an eerily accurate portrayal of where we may find ourselves one day. With great character interactions and the use of believable technology advancements to solve intractable problems, it kept my attention until the last page." - MICHAEL DAWSON, Retired NASA Senior Executive Service and Associate Director for the Stennis Space Center; Retired USAF Colonel and Mission Support Group Commander; General Manager at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility " Matter of Resistance is relevant, fresh, and engaging to adults and young readers alike as it tackles human's ongoing quest to reach out and trust one another. Watch for spoilers, though, because I see them on the news every night." - OLIVER F. CHASE, former FBI Special Agent; U.S. Marine pilot, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross; and author of the exciting new detective series Marsh Island and Blind Marsh "... the twisted carcass and its growing cloud of metallic entrails looked less and less like the ESF ship that had previously been orbiting Mars." Raymond Vogel is the kind of writer that sneaks out of bed late at night to capture an idea he had, the kind that likes going to airports to create imaginary characters out of the interesting people he sees. Matter of Resistance was first written in 2007 while Raymond was working as a systems engineer on the NASA Orion Program. Taking part in the time-honored custom of daydreaming at his desk, he imagined a world in the long-distant future where humanity had not only settled on Mars but had become something different - something greater. The book was first self-published in 2011 and remained that way for a year. And although it was very well received, the book has been rewritten in its entirety (while keeping the plot virtually unaltered) to reflect several years of learning from great writers.