Arthur C. Clarke defines "science fiction" and "fantasy" in remarkably simple terms. "Fantasy" is any story that is physically impossible, as measured by our understanding of science. "Science fiction" is any story that is at least theoretically possible, given applicable technology.Both genres a...
http://www.saltmanz.com/blog/2006/11/...Yesterday (11/02/06) during lunch, I finished my most recent book: Cradle, by Arthur C. Clarke and Genry Lee.This is same team that wrote the last 3/4 of the Rama series (following Clarke's standalone classic, Rendevous With Rama). Those were good books. Cr...
Good hard science fiction for the physics and math junkiesIt is the year 2153. Humans now inhabit the moon, Mars, Mercury, and the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. Suddenly, from the depths of deep space, comes an artifact called "Rama". Commander Norton and his team of space men and wom...
There's a scene towards the end of the sixth Harry Potter book where Harry and Dumbledore find a small basin of water with a much-needed magical item at the bottom of it. The water is cursed, though, and they can't simply reach in and grab the item, nor scoop out the water; the water has to be d...
Arthur C. ClarkeGentry LeeRama IIBantam, Paperback, 1990. 12mo. ix, 466 pp. Foreword Rama Revisited by Arthur Clarke [v-ix].First published, 1989.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alas, it is true. I had read tons of negative reviews b...
Arthur C. ClarkeThe Lost Worlds of 2001Sidgwick & Jackson, Paperback, 1972.12mo. 240 pp.First published in 1972.ContentsForeword1. View of the Year 20002. Son of Dr. Strangelove3. The Sentinel4. Christmas, Shepperton5. Monoliths and Manuscripts6. The Dawn of Man7. First Encounter8. Moon-Watcher9....
“No utopia can ever give satisfaction to everyone, all the time. As their material conditions improve, men raise their sights and become discontented with power and possessions that once would have seemed beyond their wildest dreams. And even when the external world has granted all it can, there ...
I must say that although I am a fan of Arthur C. Clarke, this book was a disappointment. While it did have intriguing plot points, it cannot be said to be a meaty or particularly incisive novel.First, its strengths. As with all of Clarke's works that I have read, he is a master at balancing har...
Arthur C. ClarkeA Fall of MoondustGollancz, Paperback, 1995.12mo. 224 pp. Victor Gollancz Science Fiction (VGSF). Preface to the 1987 edition by Arhur Clarke, August 1986 [pp. 5-7].First published, 1961.First published by VGSF, 1995.Second impression, July 1995.===================================...
It didn't occur to me that this is probably a younger-person's read, however I found it still quite enjoyable. In fact, I think this book could be suitable for just about anyone.As long as you are looking for something that truly will provide an escape; bringing you to another part of the world a...
LATEST STORY REVIEW UPDATE: Story # 15: "Transience".15. Transience (1949) [5 pages] 4.5 Stars: A story that expresses that mankind is here for only a short span of time, temporarily! Man has come, and shall be gone, in the grand scheme of things. ~ June 16, 2015 ~14. History Lesson (1949) [7 pag...
I worried this novel might fail to set itself apart from so many similar disaster movies. Happily, this fear proved unfounded. Sunstorm is the thinking audience’s answer to popcorn disaster flicks. It trades fast-paced action and thin plot for a more compelling and engrossing science-based drama...
I was disappointed in this book, though I confess that part of it is my fault. Clarke didn't tell the story that I wanted him to tell, and this is always an unfair expectation on the part of the reader. "If you want a particular story, you should write it yourself." is the rightful reply of the...
Venus Prime Volume One is a science fiction thriller/crime drama that borrows so many elements from other genres that it feels disjointed, but that doesn't make it any less intense, philosophical, or intriguing. The author, Paul Preusss borrows heavily from an Arthur C. Clarke short story called ...
The social forces which determine which books become popular and which fade into obscurity will forever baffle me. The City and the Stars will hence forth be a classic cause of my bafflement. Let me explain.There are two extremely well known works which deal with Utopia, the ultimate "end" of soc...
PrécisttThis is a collection of 24 short stories by Clarke that have a space exploration theme. Some are very short - 3-4 pages, others are more typical and the final one is 38 pages. 12 of the stories are grouped into two very specific themes of six each. For all intents they are chapters in a l...
‘ON THE POISONOUS, ICY SURFACE OF GANYMEDE, A MAN AND A BOY ARE ON A DEADLY HUNTTheir prey is the Aleph – an unknowable alien artifact that has roamed and ruled Ganymede for countless millennia, Indescribable, infinitely dangerous, the Aleph haunts men’s dreams and destroys all efforts to terrafo...
I found this in a random place in my school's reference room and jumped on it - English language books are difficult to find here unless they're well known classics, and sci-fi books are among the rarest to come across, so I was excited. I was especially excited to see it was a Clarke book I had ...
Ok, 4th in the Venus Prime series and Ellen / Linda / Sparta is recovering from her emergency operation. Lots of intrigue already as the plot lines for the story start to take shape and more hints at her origins in the series' story arc.Getting a little irritated though. I am only a couple of cha...
I've been reading Tales from Planet Earth at lunch this week. It's an intriguing collection of short stories, each with an illustrated frontispiece. The foreword is by Isaac Asimov and each story has a short intro written by Clarke for this collection.Clarke is one of the SF authors I always forg...