Robinson's "Red Mars." was SSPS for Hydrogen Economy

I have read all three and also found them hard going (sorry doesn't get
easier in the others) but once started I had to finish - eventually.
I found that I stopped reading Red Mars at one point, went away for 6
months, then came back to it. It was easier that way ;) I finally
finished them a few years ago, and haven't looked at them since.

They are ok, nothing special, definitely not great and I really don't
see how they could possibly be a "blueprint"

For something that might just be approaching a blueprint (though not for
mars) try Michael Flynn's "Firestar" and sequels. Which reminds me I
really should get the most recent one.

brett