Rating: 
Summary: This is a timeless classic that I have enjoyed many times.
Review: I wasn't much of a reader when I first picked up this book in Junior High School, but it quickly grabbed my interest - I couldn't put it down! It wasn't until later that I learned it had a sequel, which I promptly read. Over the years, I have read it over and over again, until the library decided to take it out of circulation. I look forward to the opportunity to buy a copy for my personal collection, and share it with my children.
Rating: 
Summary: This world... then the next.
Review: I've read the reviews. I've seen the movie... I've even heard about the book for years, but I never read it until recently. I picked up a volume of WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE coupled with its sequel AFTER WORLDS COLLIDE and found myself very much enjoying both its fiction and its insight into the mindset and attitudes of people from seemingly another time. I recommend this book to anyone (and everyone... Oh yes), both as a "what if..." science fiction tale (of which there are few good ones being written these days... shame on those authors who jump on the disater bandwangon peddling asteroids and deep impacts for quick cash), and as a indepth look into what some would save and some would leave behind if the world was indeed going to be destroyed. A shame it can't be bought right off the shelf in any bookstore. If a publisher is looking it it might be a good idea to shop this one around again... who knows, Hollywood is in a remake kind of mind, perhaps WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE might make a mint again. If you find one used, pick it up, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A classic.
Review: It must seem repetitious when looking at all these five star reviews, but it deserves it, as does its brilliant sequel, After Worlds Collide. Even when the book is so clearly dated -- it was, after all, written in the 1930s -- it is nevertheless riveting. I can only concur with the many other reviewers in calling for a reissue of this book -- preferable in an omnibus edition with its sequel (as in fact has been done in the past). And if only Steven Spielberg would work on doing a remake, not only of When Worlds Collide itself, but its remarkable sequel, perhaps updating it and correcting the (remarkably few!) scientific flaws. If you've never read these books, find them!
Rating:
Summary: Classic Sci-Fi
Review: It's remarkable how well this book holds up after 70 years. It's not exactly =hard= science-fiction, and it emphasizes a lot of social issues, which is probably one of the reasons it has aged so well. Most importantly, it tells the story expertly, with a good amount of suspense and intrigue (and a lot less misanthropy than can be found in the excellent film adaptation).The sequel ("After Worlds Collide") on the other hand, is =far= more dated, thoroughly permeated with '30s notions of nationalism. By today's standards it's more than just politically incorrect, it's borderline racist. But that aside--and it doesn't serve to try to read old novels with modern prejudices--it doesn't have the same sense of urgency (the impending doom of all mankind) found in the first book.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic adventure remembered from my youth
Review: Like many others, I too first encountered (and read for the first of many re-readings) When Worlds Collide and its sequel After Worlds Collide when I was in seventh grade. It remains for me a vivid experience. What a tremendous epic adventure written in a straightforward, clear style with terrific descriptions and lots of great action, and the sequel has a wonderful mystery about it which elevates it above the first. Both novels are well worth reprinting and I would be glad to know of this as my paperback copies are getting pretty discolored by now.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing that so MANY people have read this book repeatedly!
Review: Like so many people who have read this book, I too have read it many times. It is that type of book. I read it the first time as a young boy, and over the years (when I can find a copy)I read it again. It captured my imagination from the beginning and has not let go in over 40 years. I believe this book, with its vivid scenes of catastrophe, and its portrayal of the triumph of human ingenuity, affected me deeply for the rest of my life. This book illuminates ones imagination, sense of wonder and longing for adventure. I heartily recommend it for readers of all ages, and sincerely wish that this book will be published again for a new generation. I am sure that this book, and its exciting sequel (After Worlds Collide), which is full of mystery and intrigue, will capture the imaginations of yet another generation. Just imagine what Hollywood could do with a remake of this novel as a movie!
Rating:
Summary: Clearing up some confusion...
Review: Many of the earlier reviews on this site call for a reissue of the sequel, "After Worlds Collide". Please note: BOTH STORIES, "When Worlds Collide" and "After Worlds Collide", are contained in this paperback version. The title is misleading because it only includes "When..." -- but both stories are there.
Other reviewers have correctlly noted that there are some scientific inaccuracies, and some 1930s political and social views that seem out of place today. Who cares?! This is a wonderful story. In part 1, the authors concoct an excellent apocalyptic scenario. And in part 2, their conception of the alien planet is brilliant.
This is storytelling of a very high order.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, one of the few books I can read over and over
Review: Of all the books in my collection, this is perhaps my favorite. It is one of the very few books I could (and have) read over and over again. I would love to see someone reissue this title with it's companion After Worlds Collide in a fine leather binder. It would be worth it's price.
Rating:
Summary: Of all the books I have EVER read - this is by FAR the best!
Review: On a scale of 1 to 10, this book gets a 42!!! The book may have been written in the 1930's - and it may be "dated" but the way it was written, the descriptions of what "happened" to our world and the interaction between the characters is so very well done, that it makes me TREMBLE every time I read it! (so far 25-30 times) It is sad that only two books were written... LONG LIVE "Cole Hendron"!!
Rating:
Summary: Better Than the Movie!
Review: Once the reader remembers that this work and its sequel, After Worlds Collide, were written in the 1930s prior to WWII the imagination of Balmer and Wylie regarding space and rocket development, as well as the psychology of the "hate cultures" was brillant. As a young man my imagination soared while reading these novels. The screen play discarded too much of the character development available in the the book. I strongly urge any lover of good science fiction to get a copy for a great read. I only scored the original as 4 stars, but if you are fortunate to have "When" and "After" to read concurrently, then you will have a 5 star experience.
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