The Sentinel: Masterworks of Science Fiction and Fantasy "The author of more than fifty books, with over 15 million copies in print, Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most distinguished figures in modern science and science fiction. He is the inventor of the concept of the communications satellite, a past Chairman of the British Interplanetary Society and a member of the Academy of Astronomics. His novel Rendezvous with Rama was the winner of science fiction's three highest honors: the Hugo, Nebula and John W. Campbell awards. Arthur C. Clarke has covered the Apollo missions with Walter Cronkite and has lectured internationally on the peaceful exploration of space. The Sentinel is a brilliant collection of Clarke's best short fiction. The haunting title piece of this exciting collection inspired 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the most famous science fiction movies of all time. * ln the provocative 'Breaking Strain, ' Grant and McNeil are plodding along the trade route from Earth to Venus when a meteor pierces their freighter and depletes their oxygen reserve. As the frightening reality of emergency sinks in, neither wants to be the first to speak the shattering truth--that if one man dies now, the other might just have enough oxygen to survive the trip. * 'Guardian Angel, ' the seed for the novel Childhood's End, offers an ironic look at the nature of freedom. Perched in the sky above London's UN headquarters is the ship of Karellen, emissary of the alien Overlords, who rule the world as benevolent dictators. Reluctant to show himself, Karellen transacts business with UN Secretary-General Stormgren on board the ship from behind a screen, while on the planet below, the defiant Freedom League resistance demands to learn the identity of their subjugators. And soon, even the cooperative Stormgren is more than a little curious about them. ln fact, he has a plan. * 'Refugee' introduces us to Prince Henry who, as heir to the British throne, can have just about anything he wants. Just about anything. For Captain Saunders of the spaceship Centaurus literally holds the key to the one thing Henry wants most, but cannot have. * You'll also join the crew of an alien ship sent to rescue Earthlings from an impending nova, only to find the planet empty ... discover the incredible secret of a lost civilization on Jupiter's innermost satellite ... participate in a truly possible yacht race to the moon."--Jacket |
