In the Retro Hugo Award–nominated novel that inspired the Syfy miniseries, alien invaders bring peace to Earth—at a grave price: “A first-rate tour de force” (The New York Times). In the near future, enormous silver spaceships appear without warning over mankind’s largest cities. They belong to the Overlords, an alien race far superior to humanity in technological development. Their purpose is … development. Their purpose is to dominate Earth. Their demands, however, are surprisingly benevolent: end war, poverty, and cruelty. Their presence, rather than signaling the end of humanity, ushers in a golden age . . . or so it seems.
Without conflict, human culture and progress stagnate. As the years pass, it becomes clear that the Overlords have a hidden agenda for the evolution of the human race that may not be as benevolent as it seems.
“Frighteningly logical, believable, and grimly prophetic . . . Clarke is a master.” —Los Angeles Times
more
A classic. Love the ending, which I won’t give away. But isn’t it time mankind grows up?
Childhoods End…where to start…at the beginning I suppose. To not get to detailed and ruin the book if you haven’t read it, lets start out by saying this book is an interesting possible future for mankind. One that maps out the next phase of human evolution. If you are a fan of 2001 a space odyssey and that didn’t leave you scratching your head …
Unsatisfying ending.
The first pure science fiction book I read, oh so many years ago, by a Grand-Master. Published in 1955 it holds up and remains relevant today. Clarke tells the story of the Overlords, who show up with massive interstellar ships that hover over all of earth’s large cities. But they don’t come to invade, they come to help. In short order, famine …
The best science fiction book of all time.
Second to none
This was a bool of wild paranoia. The story came from our conspiracy theories. There were extraterrestrials visiting our planet and once they were revealed, they resembled the folklore tale of Beelzebub. People were frightened initially, but the alien began to aid Earth.
The twist was a very sinister one. I’d categorize the twist as …
This book made me a lifelong science fiction fan. Though a little dated in spots, and regardless of Clarke’s personal flaws, he was right that “Science fiction is the only mind-expanding drug that works” and this book is a prime example.
Although technologically dated, a clear and present danger of SciFi stories, a good storyline. Surprising climactic development and ending.
I read this because it was supposed to provide insight into the meaning of 2001. It helped a lot. I think it’d be a mistake to assume any direct correlations, but the themes in this book were repeated throughout Clarke’s writing career. One of the great imaginations to ever write about our place in the universe and the meaning of the human …
To paraphrase just enjoy your children while you have them, that’s all any parent can do. This sums up the book for me.