Other Worlds, Times, and Places - Arthur C. Clarke
(1917 - 19 March 2008))
First published Novel: Prelude to Space (1951)
Latest Work: The Last Theorem (2006)
Childhood's End was my first exposure to Arthur C. Clarke. It was also my first exposure to the concept of ascension. The book was very good but it was also extremely disturbing. To think of man evolving into something no longer recognizable as man haunted me in a way that the devolution concept never did. I think that what really bothered me about ascension was the thought that once perfection is attained, what is there left to strive for?
I didn't really care for short stories until I started reading those by Clarke. The Nine Billion Names of God is my personal favorite, followed closely by Rescue Party and Sentinel (the basis for 2001, A Space Odyssey).
Recommendations
Childhood's End
Against the Fall of Night
Imperial Earth
