The Nine Billion Names of God

Rating:
Summary: Arthur C. Clarke's best short stories
Review: Arthur C. Clarke is best known for his novels, especially "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Rendezvous with Rama," which each spawned three sequels. But throughout his early career in the 1950s and 1960s, the tail end of science fiction's "golden age," Clarke was more successful as a writer of short fiction. This book collects his best stories, or at least his own favorites. As Clarke himself acknowledges in his introduction, "Every author must have his favorite stories, though he would often be hard put to give reasons for his preferences. Sometimes these may be completely illogical--or at least unliterary. A story written at a time and place associated with pleasant memories may be more highly rated, in retrospect, than a much better tale provoked by unhappiness or penury--the two great sponsors of art."

But Clarke's choices largely jibe with mine. They are drawn from five earlier collections: "Expedition to Earth" (1953), "Reach for Tomorrow" (1956), "The Other Side of the Sky" (1959), "Tales of Ten Worlds" (1962), and "The Wind from the Sun" (1972). Here you will find "The Sentinel," which Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick expanded into the epic "2001." And the often anthologized "The Star," in which an astronomical discovery challenges a believer's faith. And "Superiority," a parable about too much reliance on technological innovation. And "Death and the Senator," which is perhaps not quite science fiction, about power coming to terms with mortality. And the title story, a whimsical yet disturbing speculation about humankind's purpose in the divine plan. And . . . twenty more gems of short fiction. (The only omission that I regret is "Hate," which appears only in "Tales of Ten Worlds.")

Despite a hardcover re-release in 1996, this excellent collection is still hard to find. But I still recommend it over "The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke" (2001) because, while that collection contains all the stories in this collection, "Nine Billion Names" presents the stories in their original form while "Collected Stories" is rife with editorial and typographical errors and omissions.

Rating:
Summary: Arthur C. Clarke's best short stories
Review: Arthur C. Clarke is best known for his novels, especially "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Rendezvous with Rama," which each spawned three sequels. But throughout his early career in the 1950s and 1960s, the tail end of science fiction's "golden age," Clarke was more successful as a writer of short fiction. This book collects his best stories, or at least his own favorites. As Clarke himself acknowledges in his introduction, "Every author must have his favorite stories, though he would often be hard put to give reasons for his preferences. Sometimes these may be completely illogical--or at least unliterary. A story written at a time and place associated with pleasant memories may be more highly rated, in retrospect, than a much better tale provoked by unhappiness or penury--the two great sponsors of art."

But Clarke's choices largely jibe with mine. They are drawn from five earlier collections: "Expedition to Earth" (1953), "Reach for Tomorrow" (1956), "The Other Side of the Sky" (1959), "Tales of Ten Worlds" (1962), and "The Wind from the Sun" (1972). Here you will find "The Sentinel," which Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick expanded into the epic "2001." And the often anthologized "The Star," in which an astronomical discovery challenges a believer's faith. And "Superiority," a parable about too much reliance on technological innovation. And "Death and the Senator," which is perhaps not quite science fiction, about power coming to terms with mortality. And the title story, a whimsical yet disturbing speculation about humankind's purpose in the divine plan. And . . . twenty more gems of short fiction. (The only omission that I regret is "Hate," which appears only in "Tales of Ten Worlds.")

Despite a hardcover re-release in 1996, this excellent collection is still hard to find. But I still recommend it over "The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke" (2001) because, while that collection contains all the stories in this collection, "Nine Billion Names" presents the stories in their original form while "Collected Stories" is rife with editorial and typographical errors and omissions.

Rating:
Summary: Arthur C. Clarke's best short stories
Review: Arthur C. Clarke is best known for his novels, especially "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Rendezvous with Rama," which each spawned three sequels. But throughout his early career in the 1950s and 1960s, the tail end of science fiction's "golden age," Clarke was more successful as a writer of short fiction. This book collects his best stories, or at least his own favorites. As Clarke himself acknowledges in his introduction, "Every author must have his favorite stories, though he would often be hard put to give reasons for his preferences. Sometimes these may be completely illogical--or at least unliterary. A story written at a time and place associated with pleasant memories may be more highly rated, in retrospect, than a much better tale provoked by unhappiness or penury--the two great sponsors of art."

But Clarke's choices largely jibe with mine. They are drawn from five earlier collections: "Expedition to Earth" (1953), "Reach for Tomorrow" (1956), "The Other Side of the Sky" (1959), "Tales of Ten Worlds" (1962), and "The Wind from the Sun" (1972). Here you will find "The Sentinel," which Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick expanded into the epic "2001." And the often anthologized "The Star," in which an astronomical discovery challenges a believer's faith. And "Superiority," a parable about too much reliance on technological innovation. And "Death and the Senator," which is perhaps not quite science fiction, about power coming to terms with mortality. And the title story, a whimsical yet disturbing speculation about humankind's purpose in the divine plan. And . . . twenty more gems of short fiction. (The only omission that I regret is "Hate," which appears only in "Tales of Ten Worlds.")

Despite a hardcover re-release in 1996, this excellent collection is still hard to find. But I still recommend it over "The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke" (2001) because, while that collection contains all the stories in this collection, "Nine Billion Names" presents the stories in their original form while "Collected Stories" is rife with editorial and typographical errors and omissions.

Rating:
Summary: great, thought provoking stories.
Review: If you love science fiction and you want to read short stories for a change, this book is for you. Almost every story holds your attention, and each is extremely creative. Arthur C. Clarke has created some of the most unique science fiction plots ever. Every story has a great end, especially "The Nine Billion Names of God," "Rescue Party," and "The Wall of Darkness." Although there are a few flaws, (in that there are a couple stories that get dull and are somewhat unworthy of reading), I give this book four stars. Overall this is a great read for the science fiction lover. Clarke did a great job of writing short stories that force your mind to think and your head to spin in circles. Extremely creative ... four stars.

Rating:
Summary: great, thought provoking stories.
Review: If you love science fiction and you want to read short stories for a change, this book is for you. Almost every story holds your attention, and each is extremely creative. Arthur C. Clarke has created some of the most unique science fiction plots ever. Every story has a great end, especially "The Nine Billion Names of God," "Rescue Party," and "The Wall of Darkness." Although there are a few flaws, (in that there are a couple stories that get dull and are somewhat unworthy of reading), I give this book four stars. Overall this is a great read for the science fiction lover. Clarke did a great job of writing short stories that force your mind to think and your head to spin in circles. Extremely creative ... four stars.

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking read, especially now...
Review: It is 15 years since I read this book. The short story referred to in the title has been replaying itself in my mind, intiated by talk of the Human Genome project, and also by our proximity to the new Millenium. I have searched extensively for a copy of this book (I think my Mum threw out the old one!) without success. A great thought provoking read.