A fascinating reminiscence, and a sobering reminder of how persuasive someone can be when they are telling us exactly what we want to hear. Even more troubling is how a man of unquestioned scientific integrity and incomparable observational skills can so completely delude himself, and even his critics. I am old enough to remember what it was like when Lowell's vision of Mars was still a possibility, and how compelling his evidence appeared to be at the time. I also remember the crushing disappointment when the spacecraft imagery started coming back, putting to rest forever the Mars of Lowell, Wells and Burroughs.

This essay, or even better, Lowell's book, should be required reading for all scientists, and especially for everyone now passionately engaged in the global warming debate--on both sides.