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Summary: Possibly the greatest Sci-Fi Novel
Review: This would probably be my pick for the #1 Sci-Fi novel. It would certainly be in my top 10 list, which would include books like Dune, Starship Troopers, The Forever War, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Uplift War, and so on.In this captivating and poignant book, the human race comes to a bittersweet ending by evolving into a strange, communal intelligence, thereby leaving the limitations of isolated corporeal minds behind. The Overlords, who have reached the pinnacle of "individual" evolution, and whose minds are perhaps a hundred times more powerful than a human's, are memorable characters. If you only read one Sci-Fi book, this should be it.
Rating: 
Summary: I can see why Stan Lee likes this book.
Review: Arthur C. Clarke writes a great story about aliens brining peace to mankind, but what's the connection between this large event in human history and that untapped area of the human mind that deals with ESP or telepathy? That's the plot for this novel and wait till you see how humanity's fate is written both in the stars and that complex arena which is the mind of man.
Rating:
Summary: On the verge of being a classic
Review: The story of Childhood's End is simple: aliens come, they take away tons of people, the population of the Earth that remains waits to die. Nothing to it. This is where the storyteller's art comes to bear. There is not really any build in suspense that one can detect, but there is a constant wanting to know what will happen next. The mysterious alien beings, with intentions beyond human comprehention, remain just out of sight, and just beyond reason. This creates a story which, told by Clarke, draws up metaphysical images as well as the classic science fiction theme of human impetus. For those who want a good look in to what the essence of science fiction is, this is what you should be reading.
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Summary: I Absolutely Love This Book !
Review: I have read as many of Arthur C. Clarke's books as I can get my hands on and this book has stood out to be one of his best works. The ending is totally unexpected and fascinating. In my library of all time greats this book would be a definate occupant of the shelves.
Rating:
Summary: Sad and cerebral but satisfying
Review: Childhood's End demonstrates to what extent a science fiction novel can be a story of ideas. Clarke presents us here with no less than a chronicle of the ending of an era of human history. Indeed, I had difficulty connecting with a number of Clarke's main characters until I took a step back and viewed all of humanity as one actor in the drama. Given Clarke's rather empirical writing style, dissociating myself from the people I was reading about was perhaps too easy. In a way, the reader is closer to the Overlords, the other principal character, watching from above. Nevertheless, the individuals in the story are very human, and suspense about their fate -- all of them -- made it difficult to put this book down. If you can help it, learn as little as possible about the plot before you read the book. Good writing and a healthy sense of wonder will keep you reading. The story is deep enough to remain with you long after.
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Summary: one of his best...
Review: ....and exciting right from the start, when the great, mysterious ships descend from space. An almost mystical conclusion that will leave you breathless.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not Great
Review: Although some reviewers have called this a classic, it still remains firmly in the genre of Science Fiction. It is a book of ideas, a book well crafted and easy to read, but a book that fails to break through into the realms of "Literature". At the centre is a powerful image of alien spacecraft hanging over the earth (Clarke traces the image to an experience he had in the Second World War). The 'Overlords' force onto mankind all that it has desired: "Peace and goodwill"; good health and technological advance; the elimination of poverty. Religions die away with the approach of Utopia, but humanity still remains unsatisfied in a number of ways. Several of the plot details grow from a lack of understanding and a distrust of the new rulers of the World. The Overlords, however, are really only midwives supervising the period of incubation as the last humans give birth to the children who bring childhood to an end. The story is simple and the images created strong but there is a lack of characterisation which allows the reader to dissociate from the action. There are witty reversals of accepted beliefs (the people who turn out to value the soul are not what you would expect, I promise you) and a wonderful downbeat ending - one that fits well with the overall conception. The ideas raised are the old hot potatoes of, "Does man have free will?" and "What relationship is there between the Mind and the Body?" It was not an unpleasant read, but I felt a lack of solidity in the writing which made me want more than I was given. Still, worth the effort (it is a short book).
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Summary: It's not really that good...
Review: Arthur C. Clarke really never impressed me with any of his novels and he has done it again. It was mediocore and left me kind of empty. The middle and end was pretty much depressing, especially the end. Basically, it borders bad and barely should be called an average or good novel.
Rating:
Summary: Decent, but far from the level of Clarke's others...
Review: Clarke is indisputably a master of science fiction, but Childhood's End is a stretch of such a description. While he has written a great many very good and noteworthy novels, this one is just one of the pack that no one really needs to pick up, except perhaps the most avid fan. Some may pass it off as a 'classic', but this book does not belong in such a group, in my own opinion. It gave me some chills with it's vivid descriptions of what could happen in the 'next stage' of human evolution, but those weren't enough to cover up the fact that this book wasn't too fascinating. I had never heard of it before picking it up, so had no expectations, which is a good thing in this case. The story of the aliens was mildly interesting. One big problem with this one for me was the characterization. Clarke just kind of throws them at the reader without enough development, and then he jumps around between them constantly, leaving one confused at times. The only redeeming factor I found in this novel was the end of mankind. Any such situation gives me chills, especially Clarke's presentation of our evolution. It is all quite unlikely, as much science fiction can be, stretching our ultimate end to a fantastic demise, but it is all too much to accept without the ever popular 'suspension of belief'.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This is the first Arthur Clark book I've read, and i love it! It has origional, well presented ideas combined with well thought out charactor developement. the ending fit, and the book on a whole was very thought provocing. i recomend it to anyone, weather they like sci-fi or not.
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