When Worlds Collide

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Summary: The epitome of sci-fi and well worth keeping and re-reading
Review: This is one of the books that captured my imaginationand interested me in sci-fi initially and is well worth keeping and reading over and over. The sequel 'After Worlds Collide' was also great. I've finally acquired a copy of the first and am still searching for the second. Excellent! ! ! !

Rating:
Summary: One of the best SF books ever
Review: Though this book was written back in the thirties and has a very strong political bias, it's got an ingenious idea and an exciting and realistic plot. The existence of the human civilization is threatened by an asteroid which is about to collide with Earth. Frantic preparations begin to save the mankind from disaster. Read and see what happens.

This novel has a follow-up: "After Worlds Collide"...

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Summary: A Keeper for Tough Times
Review: Twenty-seven reviews already! What else could another reviewer add? Well, here is another point of view about this book. It was written during a major Depression in the world economy and many people were in desperate conditions. WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE took people away from their own issues and thrust them into a new reality. For me, the book has served as a place to turn when you need to flee things for a while. It has that power with its sequel - AFTER WORLDS COLLIDE. Keep it tucked away as a safety net that will help you get through hard times. It works!

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Summary: Way ahead of its time...
Review: Two rogue planets are hurtling toward Earth. One will collide with Earth, destroying the planet and destroying mankind. The second will be caught in Earth's orbit. It will be the end of humanity... or will it? A scientist believes there is a chance of survival, if they can get on to the second planet. Problem is, it's only 1930. Nuclear power is an unharnessed, fledging entity and no space shuttle has ever been built. A shuttle called the "Arc" is constructed, but there is only room for 100 people. Can a second "Arc" be constructed in time? Will the Arc withstand the brutal elements of space travel and make it to the second planet, Bronson Beta? There is never a dull moment in either of the books that make up this sci-fi classic... I loved it because it was so realistic, unlike most science fiction. Wylie and Balmer leave the readers wondering if a situation like this should happen to us, would we survive??

Rating:
Summary: Way ahead of its time...
Review: Two rogue planets are hurtling toward Earth. One will collide with Earth, destroying the planet and destroying mankind. The second will be caught in Earth's orbit. It will be the end of humanity... or will it? A scientist believes there is a chance of survival, if they can get on to the second planet. Problem is, it's only 1930. Nuclear power is an unharnessed, fledging entity and no space shuttle has ever been built. A shuttle called the "Arc" is constructed, but there is only room for 100 people. Can a second "Arc" be constructed in time? Will the Arc withstand the brutal elements of space travel and make it to the second planet, Bronson Beta? There is never a dull moment in either of the books that make up this sci-fi classic... I loved it because it was so realistic, unlike most science fiction. Wylie and Balmer leave the readers wondering if a situation like this should happen to us, would we survive??

Rating:
Summary: Apocalyptic science fiction from the 1930s
Review: Two rogue planets, one the satellite of the other, are heading directly toward the earth. The scientists who make this horrifying discovery have a plan to save a small remnant of humanity.

The story is engaging enough that I was content to suspend my disbelief at the implausibility of the disaster and especially of the opportunity for survival. Much of the entertainment value of the book is in its being old: news of the impending disaster is spread by newspaper; atomic power is being hastily developed; the sexual attraction between two main characters is expressed only in passionate kisses.

There's plenty of apocalyptic fiction I'd recommend over this (e.g., "Earth Abides," "The Stand," "Alas, Babylon"), but "When Worlds Collide" is entertaining enough for a rainy Saturday. It has a sequel, "After Worlds Collide," which I haven't read.

Rating:
Summary: A treasure from the past that is timeless and a joy .
Review: While this book is often refered to as a "hard sci-fi" book, to me it was a story about people put in a fantastic situation. The old testament biblical subtext was evident even to me as a child. The second book, After Worlds Collide, was better than the first and a good example of a sequel surpassing the original. While there was a satisfying resolution, I have always wanted to know what happened to this brave new world in the making after the story ended. I did not enjoy the 1951 movie, though many people did. Someone, please reprint both of these jewels!