Childhood's End

Rating:
Summary: Its clear where most today sci fi comes from
Review: Clarke is a true visionary, and for me Childhoods End is his best. Not only is it exciting sci-fi, but it is a fantastic view into human behavior. How we react to the unknown, what our potential is, and how amzingly arrogant we can be as a race are all issues superbly analyzed. Its clear to me, with the images of the 4 gigantic spaceships and other plot devices, where the crap hollywood calls science fiction has come from this decade. Anyway- good book.

Rating:
Summary: Childhood'sA Fascinating , Mind opening & Heart warming book
Review: The summer returned in the midle of Tehran winter when I felt this book in my hand . A great story that gave me a pleasent trip to another dimention Niether so far, Out of touch, Nor too close to make You say I know. The first book that got me reading 300 pages in a row. A.c.Clark is the best story writer that I know. His brilliant style of writing presents You with Fresh Air in a row . One space ship & 4 Holograms of it , traveling in the body of a whale & Helping wild & civilised by puting to work the technology of hologram , I read Childhood's End Farsi translation 15 years ago in Tehran , 10 years ago the Original English with a friend in Austria, 5 years ago in France & Now it's with me again in Amsterdam . The book in English original that I could suggest with a firm pride as a mother who dearly cares, to all children & grown ups is no other but childhood's End.

Rating:
Summary: What an Ending
Review: Frankly I don't quite like the action part in the beginning of this book. And the story progresses slowly about 4/5 through this book. Then comes the fascinating, astonishing, breath-taking ending. The ending itself well worths all your time spent on this whole book!

Rating:
Summary: Summery of childhood`s end from a Dutch exchange student
Review: This book talks about how it is to be controlled by an higher power, in this case the Overlords. It`s increadable fascinating, and its not really a science fiction. Its more a storie in normal time, since it starts in 1950. If you like the book fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradberry, you will certainly like tis book. And as the bookcover says: "A first-rate tour de force that is well worth the attention of every thougtful citizen in this age of anxiety..." My experiences with this book are really good. i am an exchange student in the US, that`s why my spelling is probably really bad, so i had to read it in English in stead of Dutch ( the language people speak in the Netherlands), and I liked it and it fascinated me and practilly never lost my attention. Its quit an achievement for just a papperback. So if you like high-tech gimmics without going to deep into science-fiction, this book is defenetly you.

Huub van Ballegooy

p.s. can anyone tell me where i could find the translations for his book???

Rating:
Summary: The Pinnacle of Science Fiction
Review: I must have been around thirteen when I first read Childhoods End and have read it every year since. At the age of forty I can say it remains the most awe-inspiring book of my life. For any one who has never read this masterpiece I envy them, to feel again that moment at the end of the book........ My son read Childhoods End last year, also at the age of thirteen, and in his eyes I saw the same wonder, for a moment, he like I had experienced the extraordinary. The numerous revelations throughout the book rock you to the core and often you have to put the book down to absorb what you have just read. This is more than a Science Fiction novel, it is a glimpse of an imagination, possibly unparalleled. footnote. Arthur C Clarke turned 80 the day before I turned 40 and at the beginning of December I sent him a birthday letter to express my appreciation of his work. On the morning of December the 17th my eldest son Daniel and my younger son Bryn Clarke presented me with a letter, the letter of my life. A hand written reply from Arthur C Clarke.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most interesting SF books I've read
Review: I enjoyed this book, and continue to enjoy it via the audio tape version. It's one of my favorite Clarke books, a fascinating tale of the end of humanity. I truly recommend this book to all.

Rating:
Summary: Not his best, but still enjoyable
Review: I finally got around to reading this on a business trip, common for most of my Clarke books. For some reason, his writing style is perfect reading for travel... I've heard from many that this book has too many characters and too many stops-and-starts. I suggest this book be approached like Bradbury's "Martian Chronicles": different short stories centered around a common theme. In fact, I believe at least two of the chapters were also presented in short-story format in other Clarke collections(?). A central message is there, but Clarke has chosen to take a wandering path instead of a straight one. He DOES get there, however. Also, this book has an surprisingly epic scope; surprising because it only has about 250 pages.

Rating:
Summary: Good throughout, but absolutely marvellous in the end.
Review: Those who are not familiar with the term "sense of wonder" should read this book. It starts out as any farely exciting science fiction-novel, with much action, a fast pace and plenty of speculations about the real purpose of these new, mysterious aliens' visit to Earth. All this is carried out in much the same way an early Asimov och Heinlein would have done it, I guess. But in the end - wow, what an ending!! The vision it gives of our future and the universe is breathtaking! Thanks to the ending, I will never forget this book.

Rating:
Summary: A true, well-crafted classic
Review: This is the kind of solid scifi that diminishes only slowly with the passing years. The book has a steady believability from page 1 that continues all the way to the end -- a surprising feat considering the subject matter, the final, natural conclusion of the human race. "Full of compassion", "all the essentials", "classic" are a few of the descriptions of this book that I would agree with. I'd be raving right now were this 1953, when the book was written, but even now, the book is a great read.

There just seems to be the right mix in this book: just enough action, dialogue, technology, commentary, prophecy, character development, etc. to keep a large audience satisfied. Everything you need is here. There is an astounding variety of topics that are briefly mentioned with astounding delicacy and tact: Christian religion, mysticism, war, divine purpose, political power, aesthetics, etc. Although the book might not keep you page turning as fast as some others, you'll be satisfied. And probably, like me, you'll not quite know why, but you'll recommend it to others.

Rating:
Summary: Not Clarke's best, that's for sure.
Review: Although short (218 pages of text) this book is fantastic and it posts some, lets say "philosphical" questions: The idea that science can't explain what's beyond our common understanding of the Universe has some truth on it. The description of the places is greate. I specially like the description of the two dimensional world. What I didn't like was the fate of mankind, but it's O.K. (we know that that's not gonna happen !!) It is good to know that somewhere in the book reads: "The opinions expressed on this book are not those of the author."