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Red Gold
In 2075, Earth sends an expedition to colonize Mars, paid for, in return for a monopoly position on Earth, by the giant corporations that are excluded for the time being from Mars. The giant FoodBund registers Moonbeam Enterprises, a small enterprise needing protection, however when it is too late to change they find Moonbeam gets all its food from a small New Zealand enterprise. Accordingly, when David Gill arrives in Los Angeles to seal the next order, he finds himself a registered settler, and he is made an offer he cannot refuse: go to Mars and construct food production infrastructure and become wealthy, or have a contract on him. David soon becomes increasingly suspicious of the motives of Moonbeam's leader, Robbie Newall. More than once David is shot at, but perhaps his biggest problem involves a mercurial Jacqui Tennant, a Space Corps pilot who desperately wants to keep the large corporations off Mars. When on Mars, David's troubled marriage disintegrates when his wife takes up with Robbie, encounters with Jacqui become increasingly unpredictable, then David becomes aware that Robbie's objective is to create a Mars bubble through stock floats of little value on Earth. Then, when David makes a totally unexpected discovery that guarantees the settlement will be successful, he also learns that Moonbeam is floating his discovery. David must stop this fraud, but there is a problem: Newall has smuggled the only guns on Mars and men to use them.
The story is full of action in unusual environments, but it also shows the anatomy of a particular type of fraud, and shows some of the signs of what to look for. An appendix outlines an alternative theory of planetary formation that explains the discovery in simple language for those interested.
The story is full of action in unusual environments, but it also shows the anatomy of a particular type of fraud, and shows some of the signs of what to look for. An appendix outlines an alternative theory of planetary formation that explains the discovery in simple language for those interested.
- GenresScience Fiction
491 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2012
27 people want to read
About the author
Ian J. Miller
16 books102 followersI am a semi-retired chemist, PhD from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and during this PhD my results came out on the wrong side of a scientific debate that was going on at the time. This story is being told on my scientific blog http://my.rsc.org/blogs/84 from October, 2012 onwards. The net result of this was I became perhaps a little skeptical of how science proceeds, and later, when invited to write a scientific book, I began "Elements of Theory". I was somewhat too slow, and the fact the editor found out that I was not a professor did not help. The project was orphaned, but I continued, and four volumes are now available on Amazon as ebooks. The first shows how to form theory, and provides seventy problems to test theory-forming skill. The second involves an alternative theory of planetary formation and biogenesis. The third elaborates on my alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics, while the fourth surveys biofuel technology, an area in which I have spent much of my scientific career
I had also tried writing a novel as an undergraduate, which was rejected four times, after which I gave up, however some time later I revisited this, and later self-published. However, I was barred from publicity through a different commercial venture, and I found selling this novel without any advertising somewhat difficult. About 1990, with spare time, thanks to the financial crisis, I began writing a future history, which is now being self-published as ebooks. Two of these, Puppeteer, Troubles involve a future in which we do nothing to address declining oil supplies, and hence involve a dystopian future. Red Gold, and the "First Contact" trilogy involve a future with Martian settlement and a major Federation of countries, and is thus also involving an economic future in which resources become scarce. The last, Jonathon Munros, illustrates the problems of evil androids. The Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy is partly about military strategy, partly about what science is really about, and partly about how humans could live in an advanced alien society.
I had also tried writing a novel as an undergraduate, which was rejected four times, after which I gave up, however some time later I revisited this, and later self-published. However, I was barred from publicity through a different commercial venture, and I found selling this novel without any advertising somewhat difficult. About 1990, with spare time, thanks to the financial crisis, I began writing a future history, which is now being self-published as ebooks. Two of these, Puppeteer, Troubles involve a future in which we do nothing to address declining oil supplies, and hence involve a dystopian future. Red Gold, and the "First Contact" trilogy involve a future with Martian settlement and a major Federation of countries, and is thus also involving an economic future in which resources become scarce. The last, Jonathon Munros, illustrates the problems of evil androids. The Gaius Claudius Scaevola trilogy is partly about military strategy, partly about what science is really about, and partly about how humans could live in an advanced alien society.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 6, 2019
Businessman David Gill quickly finds himself in over his head, and on another world no less, in Ian Miller’s Red Gold. As corporations struggle to control the Red Planet, they forcibly send David to do their dirty work. But David quickly becomes suspicious of his employers and finds himself an ally in a space pilot. This is an intriguing corporate espionage story that takes the needed time to set up its intricate plot. Great for anyone who loves a good spy thriller or classic sci fi!
October 14, 2018
Red Gold by Ian J. Miller
Red Gold is a novel about the colonization of Mars. While there have been quite a number of such stories over the years, Miller is a certified authority who imbues this novel with believable science at almost every step. What would it take to send humans to the red planet? What is the draw, the attraction? In this case, it is less to do with exploration than it has to do with resources. The 'gold' of the novel's title stems from what the first settlers can achieve there on behalf of their sponsors.
Those sponsors are a conglomerate of resource companies, primarily in the food production and mining areas, all tied in to a global federation of some sort. Food from Mars, a valuable resource? Well, it is, hints Miller, if experimentation with the growing of necessary foodstuffs brings forth a new way of actually practicing agriculture. Or the possibility of raw agricultural materials for 'back home'. That idea, however, simply addresses the survival of the settlers there. Perhaps 'new foods' would be enticing to many back on Earth. But Miller also has something else in mind.
He introduces the problems that arise when fierce competition takes place between companies and wealthy sponsors in this new frontier. Some of the main characters, such as David Gill and his acquaintance Robbie Newall (adventurers on Mars) take the reader inside boardroom meetings as they set up plans and shareholder returns and ways to monetize the whole endeavor. This is something to think about, because, as investors would think, “There may be gold in them there red hills!” It takes huge bucks to go to Mars, and on a dysfunctional Earth, only the very rich can invest in it. There is a military touch, for the sake of discipline – a Space Force under a captain goes along to keep order.
I found the story interesting enough to keep reading, even though it is not as toned down for the average non-science reader as it could have been. Miller is a chemist and a scientific theorist, among a lot of other things. He knows of what he writes here. Both the scene descriptions and the bundles of dialogue give us plenty of science to wrap our minds around. Perhaps to much, as I didn't understand it all. This is sci-fi for the pure scientist, but I suppose that is good. A lot of firm and intriguing ideas put forth, which is the stuff of good exploration stories, I suppose.
What I found somewhat lacking as a casual reader were the clear explanations of the mechanics and physics of setting up Mars settlements. I would have liked a better description of how the space ships ran, before their controlled crash onto Mars, or how Gill built his domes, or how the farmers went about their crops. That is the sort of science which makes sci-fi sparkle. Mind you, there's a little bit of everything: political intrigue, criminal violence (I especially liked the opening chapters showing that dysfunctional Earth), corporate shenanigans, and even romantic incidents.
You have to possess the heart of a hardcore science fan to enjoy this, but if so, it does work. Perhaps a good editor would have improved the writing style. This novel has both a prequel and a sequel, and Miller has plenty of other similar novels out there. It would be my wish that more people read his stuff, because real science is important in this age of impossible fantasies and inane pulp fiction. Miller has lived long enough and done enough to be somewhat prolific. Look him up.
Red Gold is a novel about the colonization of Mars. While there have been quite a number of such stories over the years, Miller is a certified authority who imbues this novel with believable science at almost every step. What would it take to send humans to the red planet? What is the draw, the attraction? In this case, it is less to do with exploration than it has to do with resources. The 'gold' of the novel's title stems from what the first settlers can achieve there on behalf of their sponsors.
Those sponsors are a conglomerate of resource companies, primarily in the food production and mining areas, all tied in to a global federation of some sort. Food from Mars, a valuable resource? Well, it is, hints Miller, if experimentation with the growing of necessary foodstuffs brings forth a new way of actually practicing agriculture. Or the possibility of raw agricultural materials for 'back home'. That idea, however, simply addresses the survival of the settlers there. Perhaps 'new foods' would be enticing to many back on Earth. But Miller also has something else in mind.
He introduces the problems that arise when fierce competition takes place between companies and wealthy sponsors in this new frontier. Some of the main characters, such as David Gill and his acquaintance Robbie Newall (adventurers on Mars) take the reader inside boardroom meetings as they set up plans and shareholder returns and ways to monetize the whole endeavor. This is something to think about, because, as investors would think, “There may be gold in them there red hills!” It takes huge bucks to go to Mars, and on a dysfunctional Earth, only the very rich can invest in it. There is a military touch, for the sake of discipline – a Space Force under a captain goes along to keep order.
I found the story interesting enough to keep reading, even though it is not as toned down for the average non-science reader as it could have been. Miller is a chemist and a scientific theorist, among a lot of other things. He knows of what he writes here. Both the scene descriptions and the bundles of dialogue give us plenty of science to wrap our minds around. Perhaps to much, as I didn't understand it all. This is sci-fi for the pure scientist, but I suppose that is good. A lot of firm and intriguing ideas put forth, which is the stuff of good exploration stories, I suppose.
What I found somewhat lacking as a casual reader were the clear explanations of the mechanics and physics of setting up Mars settlements. I would have liked a better description of how the space ships ran, before their controlled crash onto Mars, or how Gill built his domes, or how the farmers went about their crops. That is the sort of science which makes sci-fi sparkle. Mind you, there's a little bit of everything: political intrigue, criminal violence (I especially liked the opening chapters showing that dysfunctional Earth), corporate shenanigans, and even romantic incidents.
You have to possess the heart of a hardcore science fan to enjoy this, but if so, it does work. Perhaps a good editor would have improved the writing style. This novel has both a prequel and a sequel, and Miller has plenty of other similar novels out there. It would be my wish that more people read his stuff, because real science is important in this age of impossible fantasies and inane pulp fiction. Miller has lived long enough and done enough to be somewhat prolific. Look him up.
May 31, 2025
The Prologue pretty much lays out the ground rules for this story: while the population of Earth is undergoing restoration to order after a period of chaos, adventurous settlers are sent to Mars as a venture paid for by corporations. The idea is that the settlement, although it begins under the guidance of a military body called Space Corps, must soon become self-sufficient and self-governing or be declared a failure. Another premise underlying the story is that fusion power is a practical reality in the late 21st century, and is used to power the space ships and the new colony.
Inevitably, the settlers are a mixed lot. The two main characters exemplify this: mining engineer turned food producer David Gill is a resourceful type who puts a lot of effort into learning about how to live on Mars. Businessman Robbie Newall is an opportunist, always looking for ways to game the system for his own profit, with little regard for others. The story is about how these two work things out on Mars. Personal matters contribute to the conflict, as do the inevitable challenges of surviving in an alien environment.
Much of the story is conveyed in dialogue, some of which involves business and investments, and which may be a bit obscure to readers not interested or informed about such matters. There is also quite a bit about science, which is interesting to anyone who has read other books about Mars. The characters are well-enough developed to be either congenial or not. Point of view shifts among several characters, but it's usually clear what is going on and who is thinking what. This is occasionally ensured by intrusions by the narrative voice.
I appreciated the several fight scenes that made the differences between physical conflict in the low gravity of Mars and that on Earth. Some plot details take advantage of the absence of breathable air and dependence on space suits and other tech. The second half of the book is quite thriller-like in spots, with tension and danger. The ending is conclusive and satisfying, but did leave me wishing to know more about the characters' lives and fortunes.
An Appendix adds a considerable amount of information about the author's ideas on how the solar system's planets formed and how life may have originated. This is vastly expanded in his book titled Planetary Formation and Biogenesis. Interested readers will want to have a look at that.
I read Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars not long ago, and Andy Weir's The Martian in 2015. I think this book can rightfully take a place alongside those two. The prose is unpolished, but the story is excellent. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Inevitably, the settlers are a mixed lot. The two main characters exemplify this: mining engineer turned food producer David Gill is a resourceful type who puts a lot of effort into learning about how to live on Mars. Businessman Robbie Newall is an opportunist, always looking for ways to game the system for his own profit, with little regard for others. The story is about how these two work things out on Mars. Personal matters contribute to the conflict, as do the inevitable challenges of surviving in an alien environment.
Much of the story is conveyed in dialogue, some of which involves business and investments, and which may be a bit obscure to readers not interested or informed about such matters. There is also quite a bit about science, which is interesting to anyone who has read other books about Mars. The characters are well-enough developed to be either congenial or not. Point of view shifts among several characters, but it's usually clear what is going on and who is thinking what. This is occasionally ensured by intrusions by the narrative voice.
I appreciated the several fight scenes that made the differences between physical conflict in the low gravity of Mars and that on Earth. Some plot details take advantage of the absence of breathable air and dependence on space suits and other tech. The second half of the book is quite thriller-like in spots, with tension and danger. The ending is conclusive and satisfying, but did leave me wishing to know more about the characters' lives and fortunes.
An Appendix adds a considerable amount of information about the author's ideas on how the solar system's planets formed and how life may have originated. This is vastly expanded in his book titled Planetary Formation and Biogenesis. Interested readers will want to have a look at that.
I read Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars not long ago, and Andy Weir's The Martian in 2015. I think this book can rightfully take a place alongside those two. The prose is unpolished, but the story is excellent. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
February 9, 2019
I'm unsure what to say about this book. The story is really good and at times it's a real page turner. The problem is there are about 300 pages of a 5 star book crammed into 500 pages. Unnecessary information, such as the minute details of business dealings, can at times run for page after page and sucked any enjoyment I was getting as I skimmed over it. Also, information given via the narrative, is often repeated by the author to directly give you what should be assumed knowledge. To be fair to the author, this is a personal preference of mine and other readers may really appreciate this detail.
Ultimately, I found this book hard work and was left with a feeling of what might have been had the author streamlined his work down to a more succinct narrative.
Ultimately, I found this book hard work and was left with a feeling of what might have been had the author streamlined his work down to a more succinct narrative.
January 11, 2023
This was an interesting sci-fi story about colonizing Mars to exploit the mining potential, and the politics, corruption, and fraud of greed. Parts of it were a little too sciencey for me, but I enjoyed it.
March 5, 2013
Red Gold is a very complex sci-fi story. As is quite common with these types of stories, the author did massive amounts of research and world building. Unfortunately, there were times when the tech speak was too much for me. I couldn't picture what the author was describing (or quite frankly, didn't care!) But you can't skip over these long details, because most of them become relevant to the plot later. (Which made it even more confusing to me. I found myself having to go back and re-read the descriptions that had boggled me early, trying to make sense of what was happening.) I can't say that this is necessarily bad, as a lot of sci-fi books (Honor Harrington series is the first that comes to my mind.) do this. But there are so many that do it more seamlessly. I kind of prefer those. On a plus note, in between all the technical jargon and complex information is a very exciting story! The world constructs that the author comes up with are quite plausible to me. The shady business dealings, the murder, espionage, and intrigue make the novel feel like a sci-fi Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
I liked David. He is what I think most of us strive to be. Honest, straightforward, hard-working, and forward thinking.You find yourself rooting for him, and despising his business partner deeply. And yet, the dichotomy is not Good vs. Evil, it is more complex than that. Really, Robbie's character is a fairly typical businessman. He is a money manager, shifting funds around from business to business, trying to make more money and often losing it instead. Yeah, he starts up some immoral businesses on Mars: prostitution, gambling, and entertainment ventures; but his motivations are to make money. Towards the end he becomes so consumed with his greed that he does stuff that is pretty evil, but he doesn't start out that guy. It is a fascinating descent and moral lesson to observe how this character's choices determined his fate. At any point, even up to the very end, Robbie could have changed his choices and thereby changed his outcome. The same could have been said for David. Very good stuff!
I liked David. He is what I think most of us strive to be. Honest, straightforward, hard-working, and forward thinking.You find yourself rooting for him, and despising his business partner deeply. And yet, the dichotomy is not Good vs. Evil, it is more complex than that. Really, Robbie's character is a fairly typical businessman. He is a money manager, shifting funds around from business to business, trying to make more money and often losing it instead. Yeah, he starts up some immoral businesses on Mars: prostitution, gambling, and entertainment ventures; but his motivations are to make money. Towards the end he becomes so consumed with his greed that he does stuff that is pretty evil, but he doesn't start out that guy. It is a fascinating descent and moral lesson to observe how this character's choices determined his fate. At any point, even up to the very end, Robbie could have changed his choices and thereby changed his outcome. The same could have been said for David. Very good stuff!
June 4, 2015
Hard start but well worth the red!
As the title says, I had trouble with the opening chapters as I'm not interested in business dealings. But the main character, David Gill, is someone well worth following. He starts out just trying to sell some food supplies to food company businesses. And by luck he gets his foot in the door, later surviving a gun battle makes him prefect for CEO of Moonbeam going to Mars! He settles his land and slowly builds his settlement that single handedly helps feed the survivors as Mars 2 crashes. He is the lonely hero who makes a stand in doing what is right at the cost of everything. I got this book, I enjoyed it. Especially after David builds his own future into something we all would love to do.
As the title says, I had trouble with the opening chapters as I'm not interested in business dealings. But the main character, David Gill, is someone well worth following. He starts out just trying to sell some food supplies to food company businesses. And by luck he gets his foot in the door, later surviving a gun battle makes him prefect for CEO of Moonbeam going to Mars! He settles his land and slowly builds his settlement that single handedly helps feed the survivors as Mars 2 crashes. He is the lonely hero who makes a stand in doing what is right at the cost of everything. I got this book, I enjoyed it. Especially after David builds his own future into something we all would love to do.
January 30, 2013
Living legend General Shashkov gives Captain Adrienne Sheppard the mission of a lifetime. She’s the leader of the first expedition to colonize Mars. Nations have formed a Federation Council. Pulling together their resources to fund and staff this crucial project. Mining Engineer David Gill is essential of the expedition’s success. But he’s a pawn that’s being used by dark forces. If you love sci-fi check out Red Gold. Shades of Star Trek, Stargate Universe, Red Planet, Babylon 5, Robocop, original Total Recall, Aliens and Battlestar Galatica.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews