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Summary: Science Fictions or even novels in general at their best!
Review: Most of my view of Science Fiction comes from the aliens are the bad guys so lets kill em movies such as Starship Troopers, Aliens movies and such.This was the first SF book I picked up in a long time. I heard stuff about Arthur Clarke and that he was a good SF author from the 1950's which also surprised me. After reading this book, it simply blew me away. Every single science fiction movie and novel I read is gravy compared to this excellent piece which entraps you in its intricate plots and characters and its unpredictability. I can go on for hours and include hundreds of spoilers for this book but I won't. But if you like science fiction remotely, you must read this book. And anotehr amazing thing is that it was written in the 1950's and the beginning bares much resemblence to Independence Day. Speaking of that I do wish a movie would be released on this story but the only problem is I don't think any adapted screenplay could do this book justice.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best SF Novels ever
Review: This novel is Simply one of the best science ficiton novels written. This novel is Arthur C. Clarke writing at his best. This is the orginal source of the giant space ships appearing over cities around the world in the movie "Indepenence Day". It is too bad that Hollywood has not decided to make this novel in a movie. It would make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: fabulous even for non sci-fi readers
Review: This ranks in my top ten lifetime favorites. First read it as teenager, almost 40 years ago, have re-read it several times. Each time, the impact is compelling. I'm a voracious reader, and even many books I've liked are vague memories. This, however, is always clearly in my mind. I am pleased to see so many great reviews - I recommend it often, not mentioning its a sci-fi book...because I think i t transcends genre . I both yearn for a movie....and dread it, because if its a stinker, people may stop reading the book for the first time!
Rating:
Summary: A True Classic, worth every minute spent on it!
Review: I have always felt this book is almost a science fiction version of the second coming, in many ways.... it's scope is the transformation/ evolution of the human(?) race. This book is not pop sci-fi, for the casual, unfocused reader; it demands deep thought and consideration.... without a doubt, one of the few works of the genre certain to be remembered for a long time. The plot twists and suprises throughout, and the quiet "speculation" of Clarke through his characters is finely interwoven through the heart of the story... and will make you consider the nature/ limits of our understanding and perception of the universe around us. This is one book you DONT want to pass up!
Rating: 
Summary: Episodic and Unsatisfying
Review: After reading the glorious reviews of the 80+ other readers who decided to share their thoughts, I had high expectations for this novel. I was disappointed. The plot is episodic and baggy, and the ending is corny, but not in a hip retro-fashion either. It's certainly not a "classic" of science fiction. Read Sturgeon or Asimov before you waste your time on this.
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Summary: Deeper
Review: This book is extremely deep. Its plot has intricate development, and yet goes at a pace and simplicity that is followable.
Rating:
Summary: One of my top-ten sci fi books of all time
Review: A truly incredible book, in my opinion Clarke's best ever. Great characters, great ideas, great plot twists. Makes you laugh and cry. Read it. :)
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read!
Review: I loved this book. The story is great and kept me reading, and the surprises just keep on coming.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best science fiction novel ever written.
Review: I fell in love with movies when I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey. I fell in love with books when I read this science-fiction masterpiece. Both deal with what one might transcendental evolution i.e. mankind taking the next or final step in ways way beyond science (or, at least, "explainable" science). No other novel I have ever read (s-f or otherwise) has ever filled me with such an epic feeling of loss and loneliness. This short tale -short by today's standards- tells of the sudden, but benign, invasion of Earth by a superior race from other space. The media dubs them "the Overlords". Clarke masterfully unveils their mysterious plans to midwife the human race as it unknowingly is about to give birth to the next generation. It will be a generation that bears very little resemblance to the ones before it. The three stories about 1) our first face to face meeting with the Overlords (a monumentally advanced race that sadly knows it will never get anymore advanced), 2) the Golden Age that follows their arrival to clear the way for the next generation and 3) the tradgedy of our species having to watch and comes to terms with its own extinction all fill you with awe and wonder. Clarke skillfully creates whole characters with economy and fluidity. His descriptions of other worlds would stop George Lucas and his wizards in their tracks. Those worlds are utterly alien and believable. However it the emotions of romance, yearning, loss and desolation that send you reeling. This book extends the reaches that 2001 sent you out on and it saddens you deeply. Few authors have ever used science better to thruster power their imagination. Clarke has done it many times in novels and stories. Childhood's End is his finest work.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome....
Review: This being my first Clarke novel, I wasn't expecting a lot, but what a shock! This book ranks with the best i've ever read, and contains the most startling scene i've yet read, as the "devil" walks off a spacecraft with a child in each arm.
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