The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. As a child I was inspired by its radiant optimism about engineering advances extracting men from peril and lifting them t

The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. As a child I was inspired by its radiant optimism about engineering advances extracting men from peril and lifting them to the position of control of their lives and making the most of their circumstance. The Martian had the same vibes for me.