ARTHUR C. CLARKE

ACROSS THE SEA OF STARS


Across the Sea of Stars contains 2 novels and 18 short stories. I've only read two other of Clarke's books and so was not sure what to expect from this one. I have to say that I really, really enjoyed this. The novels, while not spectacular, are good solid efforts. The shorter works are on the whole quite well done. And this is coming from someone who doesn't normally enjoy short stories, with a few exceptions. So while this book does not "wow" you from start to finish, it is yet a very good collection. I would whole-heartedly recommend it to any sf fan.

It is interesting to note that in the introduction by Clifton Fadiman, copyrighted in 1959, he relates a conversation he had with Mr. Clarke. During this conversation, Mr. Clarke tells Fadiman that orbiting space stations will soon make it possible to broadcast simultaneous world-wide television. He also talks about space satelites. Although the space station idea hasn't worked out quite the way Clarke foresaw, satelites have. In fact, Arthur C. Clarke's vision of communication satelites have guaranteed him steady income since he's paid everytime one goes into orbit.

The stories collected here are seperated into 3 "books" and then there are the 2 novels. Because of the space involved, each book will get its own page. I believe each of the three story collections were published seperately under the same names, but am not positive.

Expedition To Earth

Tales From The White Hart

Reach For Tomorrow

Childhood's End

Earthlight


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