The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke


Book Description

Six decades of fascinating stories from the legendary “colossus of science fiction” and creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey gathered in one compendium (The New Yorker). Arthur C. Clarke, along with H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein, was a definitive voice in twentieth century science fiction. A prophetic thinker, undersea explorer, and “one of the true geniuses of our time,” Clarke not only won the highest science fiction honors, the Nebula and Hugo Awards, but also received nominations for an Academy Award and the Nobel Peace Prize, and was knighted for his services to literature (Ray Bradbury). Now, more than one hundred works of the sci-fi master’s short fiction are available in the “single-author collection of the decade” (Booklist, starred review). This definitive edition includes early work such as “Rescue Party” and “The Lion of Comarre,” classics like “The Nine Billion Names of God” and “The Sentinel” (which was the kernel of the later novel and movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey), and later works including “A Meeting with Medusa” and “The Hammer of God.” Encapsulating one of the great science fiction careers of all time, this immense volume “displays the author’s fertile imagination and irrepressible enthusiasm for both good storytelling and impeccable science” (Library Journal). “One of the most astounding imaginations ever encountered in print.” —The New York Times “As his Collected Stories helps to demonstrate, there has been no popular writer since the days of C S Lewis and Charles Williams whose disposition is more nakedly apocalyptic, who takes greater pleasure in cradling eternity in the palm of his hand.” —The Guardian




The Collected Stories


Book Description

Arthur C Clarke is without question the world's best-known science fiction writer, enjoying a career of unequalled success. Clarke has always been celebrated for his prophetic vision, which is fully on display in this audiobook, but there are also many stories which show his imagination in full flight. This is the fifth and final volume in the collection, and includes some of Clarke's most accomplished work, including Dog Star, The Light of Darkness and The Hammer of Gods. Track Listing: CD 1: Dog Star read by Mike Grady Track 2 to 5, 16' 34 Maelstrom II read by Nick Boulton Track 6 to 13, 35' 54 An Ape About the House read by Buffy Davis Track 14 to end of Disc 1, 20' 48 CD 2: The Shining Ones read by Roger May Track 1 to 11, 45' 30 The Secret read by Mike Grady Track 13 to 14, 14' 45 Dial F for Frankenstein read by Nick Boulton Track 15 to end of Disc 2, 15' 08 CD 3: The Wind From the Sun read by Sean Barrett Track 1 to 13, 49' 00 The Food of the Gods read by Roger May Track 14 to 16, 12' 56 The Last Command read by Mike Grady Track 17 to end of Disc 3, 6' 20 CD 4: The Light of Darkness read by Nick Boulton Track 1 to 4, 14' 47 The Longest Science-Fiction Story Ever Told read by Sean Barrett Track 5, 1' 36 Playback read by Roger May Track 6 to 7, 7' 52 The Cruel Sky read by Mike Grady Track 8 to end of Disc 4, 48' 52 CD 5 and 6: Herbert George Morley Roberts Wells, Esq read by Nick Boulton Track 1 to 2, 5' 29 Crusade read by Sean Barrett Track 3 to 5, 13' 00 Neutron Tide read by Roger May Track 6, 4' 52 Reunion read by Mike Grady Track 7, 4' 46 Transit of Earth read by Nick Boulton Track 8 to 15, 33' 52 A Meeting With Medusa read by Sean Barrett Track 16 to Track 6 of Disc 7, 108' 32 CD 7: Quarantine read by Roger May Track 7, 2' 42 SiseneG read by Mike Grady Track 8, 0' 53 The Steam-Powered Word Processor read by Nick Boulton Track 9 to 11, 12' 07 On Golden Seas read by Sean Barrett Track 12 to 14, 10' 19 The Hammer of Gods read by Roger May Track 15 to Track 4 of Disc 8, 34' 10 The Wire Continuum read by Mike Grady Track 5 to 17, 54' 28 Improving the Neighbourhood read by Nick Boulton Track 18 to end of Disc 8, 3' 50







3001


Book Description

The mysteries of the monoliths are revealed in this inspired conclusion to the Hugo Award–winning Space Odyssey series—“there are marvels aplenty” (The New York Times). On an ill-fated mission to Jupiter in 2001, the mutinous supercomputer HAL sent crewmembers David Bowman and Frank Poole into the frozen void of space. Bowman’s strange transformation into a Star Child is traced through the novels 2010 and 2061. But now, a thousand years after his death, Frank Poole is brought back to life—and thrust into a world far more technically advanced than the one he left behind. Poole discovers a world of human minds interfacing directly with computers, genetically engineered dinosaur servants, and massive space elevators built around the equator. He also discovers an impending threat to humanity lurking within the enigmatic monoliths. To fight it, Poole must join forces with Bowman and HAL, now fused into one corporeal consciousness—and the only being with the power to thwart the monoliths’ mysterious creators. “3001 is not just a page-turner, plugged in to the great icons of HAL and the monoliths, but a book of wisdom too, pithy and provocative.” —New Scientist




The Best of Arthur C. Clarke


Book Description




Childhood's End


Book Description

In the Retro Hugo Award–nominated novel that inspired the Syfy miniseries, alien invaders bring peace to Earth—at a grave price: “A first-rate tour de force” (The New York Times). In the near future, enormous silver spaceships appear without warning over mankind’s largest cities. They belong to the Overlords, an alien race far superior to humanity in technological development. Their purpose is to dominate Earth. Their demands, however, are surprisingly benevolent: end war, poverty, and cruelty. Their presence, rather than signaling the end of humanity, ushers in a golden age . . . or so it seems. Without conflict, human culture and progress stagnate. As the years pass, it becomes clear that the Overlords have a hidden agenda for the evolution of the human race that may not be as benevolent as it seems. “Frighteningly logical, believable, and grimly prophetic . . . Clarke is a master.” —Los Angeles Times




The Nine Billion Names of God


Book Description

A selection of what he considers to be his best short stories is presented by this leading science fiction writer




Of Time and Stars


Book Description




Expedition to Earth


Book Description

This was Arthur C. Clarke's first published collection of short stories. It includes The Sentinel, which was the starting point for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.




2061: Odyssey Three


Book Description

Arthur C. Clarke’s 2061: Odyssey Three is truly a masterful elaboration on one man’s epic vision of the universe. Only rarely does a novelist weave a tapestry so compelling that it captures the imagination of the entire world. But that is precisely what Arthur C. Clarke accomplished with 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is even more unusual that an author is able to complement so well-received an invention with an equally successful sequel. But Arthur C. Clarke’s 2010: Odyssey Two enthralled a huge audience worldwide. Now, in 2061: Odyssey Three, Arthur C. Clarke revisits the most famous future ever imagined, as two expeditions into space are inextricably tangled by human necessity and the immutable laws of physics. And Heywood Floyd, survivor of two previous encounters with the mysterious monoliths, must once again confront Dave Bowman—or whatever Bowman has become—a newly independent HAL, and the power of an alien race that has decided Mankind is to play a part in the evolution of the galaxy whether it wishes to or not.




Recent Books