One Of Clarke's Best - Rated 
Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008) is one of the masters of the genre of Science Fiction from its golden age. Though undoubtedly best known for "2001: A Space Odyssey", there are numerous other works of his which should be on every fan of science fiction's reading list. "Childhood's End" is one of those books. This book deals with concepts such as the utopian society, individuality, a `hive mind", and much more. This novel grew out of a short story titled "Guardian Angel" which was published in 1950 ("Famous Fantastic Mysteries"). The original novel was written in February through December of 1952 and was published on August 24th of 1953 by Ballentine. The text which I am reviewing includes a new chapter (or prolog) which was added in 1990, replacing the original.
When "Childhood's End" was first published, it included a disclaimer "The opinions expressed in this book are not those of the author". Though certainly an odd statement, it did have its purpose as Clarke explains in his introduction. After publishing "The Exploration of Space" he felt that people would be confused by a book expressing the idea that "The stars are not meant for man" which is not only in opposition to the book he had just published, but in many ways is the opposite of most of his works which express an opinion in that area.
The story is told in three parts. The first section is titled "Earth and the Overlords". The original prolog had the United States and the Soviet Union both on the verge of creating nuclear powered spaceships for space exploration venture when a fleet of alien spaceships appear over all the major cities of the world. Reinhold is the main scientist for the U.S., and Konrad Schneider is the USSR's lead scientist. The new prolog replaces that with Earth starting the 21st century by proclaiming it the Century of the Solar System with mankind on the verge of visiting the other planets when the Overlord fleet arrives.
The story then picks up five years down the road, with the overlords firmly in control of Earth, but with people becoming more and more restless about the still unseen Overlords and specifically the Supervisor, Karellen. Secretary General Stormgren is the only one who has even been able to talk to the Overlords, as he meets with Karellen on the Overlords' ship, but he sits in a room with what he thinks is a view screen and is only allowed to talk to Karellen. When his time as Secretary General is coming to an end, Stormgren is kidnapped and finds that he has been used as bait by Karellen to find the leaders of those who are opposed to Earth allowing the Overlords to control humanity. Stormgren then comes up with his own plot, to find out what the Overlords look like, with or without their permission.
The second section is titled "The Golden Age" and starts with the Overlords allowing at last humanity to see what they look like. This is also the golden age on Earth. Humanity has evolved and put aside many of its prejudices and superstitions and with the help of the Overlords has attained new heights in almost every scientific area. This is man's second shot at the paradise. Will man be cast out of the Garden of Eden again? This time the apple is the exploration of the stars, and Adam is in the form of Jan Rodricks, who learns the location of the Overlords home star, and attempts to stowaway on one of their ships to find out more about their home world and the Overlords themselves. Clarke borrows from the story of Jonah and the whale in this story, to add to some of the biblical allusions.
The last section is titled "The Last Generation", and this section reveals the Overlords real purpose, which is to guard over and guide the evolution of man into what mankind will evolve into. It is also revealed that the Overlords themselves are fated to advance no further. The message for the rest of humanity is not so wonderful though, as they are fated to be the last generation. Their entire purpose was to be the caterpillar for the butterfly that is to be man's evolution. There are theological motifs played out as well, for what are the Angels (Overlords) in relation to humanity? Mankind was made in the image of God, while the Angels are the servants. Jan Rodricks returns to Earth and do to time dilation and the psychological effects on the world, he is alone as the last human in existence, able to observe the Overlords observing what man has become.
This novel has many thinking points. Is it better to be a member of a species which will evolve, but your own species is but a stepping stone to that higher level, or to be a member of a species which is stagnant, force to watch and serve those who are more advanced? Clearly Clarke prefers the latter, but there is a certain sadness to know that all that one accomplishes is meaningless with the exception of one's descendents. There is also the question of what the real fate is of humanity's child, does it really partner with the Overlords master as they say? How would they really know? This is science fiction at its best, an engaging story which keeps the reader thinking while reading as well as after finishing.
One of the Greatest Classics - Rated
This book is one of the greatest classic and most influential works that I have ever read. Not only that, it is also the most prophetic novel as it seemed to reveal the culture to which we now live: a new generation being absorbed to a greatest extent in the worlds of cyberspace and mass media where we might as well be under the control of the extraterrestrial intelligence. This is certainly a book that cannot be put down, as I would surly recommend it.
I won't bring here a spoiler, but to say that this book will certainly leave you as uncertain as well wanting to know more and also not knowing what outcome will be. It is very easy to read and relatively a short book. I was quite amazed at the fact that this book was written over a half a century ago because I felt this book is very relevant today as it was then. It is both terrifying and most certainly an eye-opening read.
Recently, the author Arthur Clarke has passed away and he will greatly be missed. His works and legacy has the greatest impact on the modern culture. His classic works, especially "Childhood's End" and "2001: A Space Odyssey," are highly memorable.
My Favourite Clarke Book. Maybe my favourite book..... - Rated
I was lucky enough to find this book laying around when I had nothing better to do while is was serving in Bosnia several years ago. I was very lucky. Who says the good things in life are never free?!?
It is rare that I will read a book over and over but as the spine of my "Childhood's End" paperback will atest to, I have commited the story almost to memory.
The story runs pretty much in three parts; when the ships arrive and how the "Overlords" start changing our world; When the "Overlords" decend to earth starting the "Golden Age"; The third part where, not wanting to spoil it, "Childhood" ends for mankind.
Exciting, thought-provoking, humourous, sad and moving. It is hard to believe that this was written in the 50's such is the scale of the imagination. (Although he makes reference to infomation being on "tape". Didn't see IPods on the horizon, eh Arthur!)
If you haven't, you should. If you have, read it again.
Essential - Not quite fiction - Rated
I've read about 10 books by Clarke, and this one definetely goes up to my top three along with "2001" and "2010". If you're a Clarke fan, you have to buy it by any means. If you're thinking of going through Clarke's work for the first time, I would recommend to start from here.
What is this all about? Well, I don't want to spoil anything for you. Let's just say it's a story that unfolds throughout a 100 year period (!), and it concerns humankind's first encounter with superior alien forms, and the fate of the human race. While I loved the book, I believe that it has one mayor drawback. Clarke tries to describe a huge story (100 years that is), in less than 300 pages, and that doesn't always work good. I just wish that the book was a little longer, there are so many more things I would like to know about, but... anyway, a great novel nevertheless.
The bottom line is this: I honestly believe that the story of this book is a very realistic, probable, future scenario for humankind, and that says it all. But that's just me...
A Sad Evolution - Rated
This was one of the 1st Science Fiction books I read as a child. It gave me a powerful jolt at the time and has left a lasting impression.
It may be short, but I sometimes think this is an advantage, but few science fiction books, I have since read have been nearly so good.
Maybe this book, has dated slightly in some ways, but the ideas and concepts remain unsurpassed.
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