A book - two of them, in fact

I just finished reading two books.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (Bantam Books, 1993)

In the year 2026, the major countries of Earth launch 100 carefully selected scientists on a journey to establish a colony on Mars. When the initial habitation is completed, and more people arrive to begin expanding to new settlements, social and political issues begin to influence the proceedings. Once the space elevator cable is installed between the surface and a geosynchronous asteroid, new immigrants begin to arrive by the thousands. At the same time, Earth has come under the control of a few global corporations, which intend to profit from exploitation of the resources of Mars, regardless of the desires of the Martian settlers. Eventually, a revolution breaks out, resulting in the destruction of much of the infrastructure on the planet, and the escape of thousands of 'red' Martians into an underground existence.

and

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (Ballantine Books, 2006)
Laurence, captain of a British warship, captures a French frigate carrying a precious dragon's egg to Napoleon Bonaparte. By happenstance, when the egg hatches a short time later, the dragon choosed Laurence to be his handler. This means loss of his naval career, and a transfer to the Aerial Corps. As time goes on, and Temeraire grows into a 30 ton adult dragon, Laurence grows completely devoted to it and his duty to England. Between training exercises and combat missions against the French dragon fleet, their favorite pastime is reading. This eventually leads to Laurence reading Newton's Mathematica to Temeraire and the dragon in turn explaining the mathematics to Laurence. When Napoleon finally launches an invasion of England, Temeraire and his flight crew exhibit extraordinary skill and bravery in turning the tide of the battle.

Both stories are told with realistic detail, and true portrayal of the human passions involved. Both are the first episode of trilogies. They are excellent and enjoyable books. I highly recommend both.