2001: A Space Odyssey

Arthur C. Clarke

Sept 2000 · Sold by Penguin

About this eBook

The classic science fiction novel that captures and expands on the vision of Stanley Kubrick’s immortal film—and changed the way we look at the stars and ourselves.

From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of Saturn as man ventures to the outer rim of our solar system, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a journey unlike any other.

This allegory about humanity’s exploration of the universe—and the universe’s reaction to humanity—is a hallmark achievement in storytelling that follows the crew of the spacecraft Discovery as they embark on a mission to Saturn. Their vessel is controlled by HAL 9000, an artificially intelligent supercomputer capable of the highest level of cognitive functioning that rivals—and perhaps threatens—the human mind.

Grappling with space exploration, the perils of technology, and the limits of human power, 2001: A Space Odyssey continues to be an enduring classic of cinematic scope.

Ratings and reviews

2001: A Space Odyssey is a mind-bending masterpiece that continues to captivate readers decades after its publication. Clarke's ability to blend hard science fiction with philosophical questions about humanity's place in the universe is unparalleled. The story is both thought-provoking and thrilling, leaving you pondering the mysteries of space and time long after turning the final page.

I have never read a book like this before, not only the story and the characters are unique, the ideas and concepts in this book are extraordinary, this will always be my favorite science fiction book of all time.

Not only is the very idea of the book phenomenal, the storyline, plot, characters, and everything is structured and decorated superbly, it's easy to imagine everything he describes and very appealing to do so. What really stands out to me is the fact that Arthur C Clarke wrote this about the future were living in now around 40-50yrs ago, and he came so close accurately describing the world we live in, it might aswell be the same one, but don't let that fool you, it makes the novel exponentially more enthralling and mysterious to perceive, oh and not to mention his articulation describing technology that did not exist then but does now. WoW, it's like it's not even fiction. #1

About the author

Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) wrote a hundred books and more than a thousand short stories and essays covering science fiction and science fact in a career spanning more than six decades. Among his bestselling novels are Childhood’s End, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Rendezvous with Rama.
 
In 1945, he proposed global broadcasting via communication satellites in geostationary orbit. One of his short stories inspired the World Wide Web, while another was expanded into 2001: A Space Odyssey, which he cowrote with Stanley Kubrick.
 
Born in Somerset, England, Clarke was educated at King’s College, London. He worked in the British civil service and the Royal Air Force before turning full-time author in 1950. The recipient of dozens of awards, fellowships, and honorary doctorates, Clarke had both an asteroid and dinosaur species named after him. Queen Elizabeth II gave him a knighthood in 1998.
 
Clarke lived in Sri Lanka since 1956, engaged in diving, astronomical observations, and underwater tourism.