A selection of what he considers to be his best short stories is presented by this leading science fiction writer

Six decades of fascinating stories from the legendary “colossus of science fiction” and creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey gathered in one compendium (The New Yorker). Arthur C. Clarke, along with H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein, was a definitive voice in twentieth century science fiction. A prophetic thinker, undersea explorer, and “one of the true geniuses of our time,” Clarke not only won the highest science fiction honors, the Nebula and Hugo Awards, but also received nominations for an Academy Award and the Nobel Peace Prize, and was knighted for his services to literature (Ray Bradbury). Now, more than one hundred works of the sci-fi master’s short fiction are available in the “single-author collection of the decade” (Booklist, starred review). This definitive edition includes early work such as “Rescue Party” and “The Lion of Comarre,” classics like “The Nine Billion Names of God” and “The Sentinel” (which was the kernel of the later novel and movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey), and later works including “A Meeting with Medusa” and “The Hammer of God.” Encapsulating one of the great science fiction careers of all time, this immense volume “displays the author’s fertile imagination and irrepressible enthusiasm for both good storytelling and impeccable science” (Library Journal). “One of the most astounding imaginations ever encountered in print.” —The New York Times “As his Collected Stories helps to demonstrate, there has been no popular writer since the days of C S Lewis and Charles Williams whose disposition is more nakedly apocalyptic, who takes greater pleasure in cradling eternity in the palm of his hand.” —The Guardian

Short stories from the science fiction master—including the tale that inspired 2001: A Space Odyssey. These stories present a brilliant showcase of Arthur C. Clarke’s many-layered approach to the moral dilemmas of scientific advancement—from the thrilling and brutal “Breaking Strain” to the more poetic and thoughtful “Second Dawn.” Also included is “The Sentinel”—the basis for the classic Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey. This outstanding collection reminds us that the author of Childhood’s End was not only a giant in the world of science fiction, a recipient of multiple Nebula and Hugo Awards, and an incomparable storyteller, but also a “skilled literary artist” (Hartford Courant). “I do not know of any short story that has moved me more than Arthur C. Clarke’s ‘If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth.’” —The Christian Science Monitor

In this "New York Times" bestseller, Iles probes the terrifying possibility that the next phase of human evolution may not be human at all. Alarming, believable, and utterly consuming.--Dan Brown. Now available in a tall Premium Edition. Reissue.

Arthur C Clarke is without question the world's best-known science fiction writer, enjoying a career of unequalled success. Clarke has always been celebrated for his prophetic vision, which is fully on display in this audiobook, but there are also many stories which show his imagination in full flight. This is the fifth and final volume in the collection, and includes some of Clarke's most accomplished work, including Dog Star, The Light of Darkness and The Hammer of Gods. Track Listing: CD 1: Dog Star read by Mike Grady Track 2 to 5, 16' 34 Maelstrom II read by Nick Boulton Track 6 to 13, 35' 54 An Ape About the House read by Buffy Davis Track 14 to end of Disc 1, 20' 48 CD 2: The Shining Ones read by Roger May Track 1 to 11, 45' 30 The Secret read by Mike Grady Track 13 to 14, 14' 45 Dial F for Frankenstein read by Nick Boulton Track 15 to end of Disc 2, 15' 08 CD 3: The Wind From the Sun read by Sean Barrett Track 1 to 13, 49' 00 The Food of the Gods read by Roger May Track 14 to 16, 12' 56 The Last Command read by Mike Grady Track 17 to end of Disc 3, 6' 20 CD 4: The Light of Darkness read by Nick Boulton Track 1 to 4, 14' 47 The Longest Science-Fiction Story Ever Told read by Sean Barrett Track 5, 1' 36 Playback read by Roger May Track 6 to 7, 7' 52 The Cruel Sky read by Mike Grady Track 8 to end of Disc 4, 48' 52 CD 5 and 6: Herbert George Morley Roberts Wells, Esq read by Nick Boulton Track 1 to 2, 5' 29 Crusade read by Sean Barrett Track 3 to 5, 13' 00 Neutron Tide read by Roger May Track 6, 4' 52 Reunion read by Mike Grady Track 7, 4' 46 Transit of Earth read by Nick Boulton Track 8 to 15, 33' 52 A Meeting With Medusa read by Sean Barrett Track 16 to Track 6 of Disc 7, 108' 32 CD 7: Quarantine read by Roger May Track 7, 2' 42 SiseneG read by Mike Grady Track 8, 0' 53 The Steam-Powered Word Processor read by Nick Boulton Track 9 to 11, 12' 07 On Golden Seas read by Sean Barrett Track 12 to 14, 10' 19 The Hammer of Gods read by Roger May Track 15 to Track 4 of Disc 8, 34' 10 The Wire Continuum read by Mike Grady Track 5 to 17, 54' 28 Improving the Neighbourhood read by Nick Boulton Track 18 to end of Disc 8, 3' 50

"A whimsical, surrealistic excursion into the modern scientific mind." --The New Yorker One of DeLillo's first novels, Ratner's Star follows Billy, the genius adolescent, who is recruited to live in obscurity, underground, as he tries to help a panel of estranged, demented, and yet lovable scientists communicate with beings from outer space. It is a mix of quirky humor, science, mathematical theories, as well as the complex emotional distance and sadness people feel. Ratner's Star demonstrates both the thematic and prosaic muscularity that typifies DeLillo's later and more recent works, like The Names (which is also available in Vintage Contemporaries). "His most spectacularly inventive novel." --The New York Times

Many of the stories in this collection have appeared previously in various publications.