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Childhood's End cover art

Childhood's End

Written by: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer, Robert J. Sawyer - introduction
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Publisher's Summary

The Overlords appeared suddenly over every city - intellectually, technologically, and militarily superior to humankind. Benevolent, they made few demands: unify earth, eliminate poverty, and end war. With little rebellion, humankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost? With the advent of peace, man ceases to strive for creative greatness, and a malaise settles over the human race. To those who resist, it becomes evident that the Overlords have an agenda of their own.

As civilization approaches the crossroads, will the Overlords spell the end for humankind...or the beginning?

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by Hugo Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer, who explains why this novel, written in the 1950s, is still relevant today.

©2001 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"In Eric Summerer's capable hands, the plot of Childhood's End is smoothly presented and fully credible. He highlights the patient nature of the Overlords, which has caused humans to become ever more complacent. Summerer excels at delivering the aliens' quiet and intensely engaging dialogue with people. His nuanced performance creates a growing feeling of uneasiness in the listener as the Overlords' insatiable curiosity and watchfulness begin to suggest something less than benign at work." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Childhood's End

Average Customer Ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sadness

This is amongst the saddest novels I have ever read. I think it is the suggestion that our current direction of development is ultimately futile. Our focus on technologies and a simplistically materialistic life can never amount to anything that matters is intimidating, if only in that at some level I think many of us suspect that to be true. I know myself, I have recently become very disillusioned with my relationship with technology. Email, Facebook, EBay and Amazon consume much of my time yet do little if anything to expand my mind or feed my soul. I do not believe in the transcendent version of human evolution that is presented in this book either. I am an existentialist and a Zen Buddhist. These are a different kinds of materialism. But I think both existentialists and transcendentalists alike would say that our focus on these distractions interferes with our quality of life. Yet I listened to this book on my iPhone, almost exclusively in cars, trains and airplanes and I am posting this thought on Facebook, condemning Facebook. Perhaps that is why this is so sad to me. I can see that train wreck coming, I know where the switch control is but yet, I don’t have the guts to pull it. That makes me profoundly sad!!!😢😱

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15 people found this helpful

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  • Kk
  • 2017-10-12

Great 50's Sci Fi Classic

Holds up impressively well
would recommend for anyone looking to get into sci fi books

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Ses
  • 2021-11-08

spoiler in intro!!!

I wonder who come up with idea to put a poiler about how book ends just in into! too bad.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Still seems visionary, 70 years later.

Still seems visionary, 70 years later. Great performance of a great story. Thank you. etc

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, great narration!

One of his best works and it was put together very well. I’ve already listened to it 3 times.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Profound and well worth the time

Very good book, somewhat slow paced and distant but it really delivers in the last few hours. I was hesitant to buy this book because it didn't seem like good value at just under 8hrs, now that I've finished the book I know it will stick in my mind for a very long time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best all time

prophetic beyond comprehension, true brilliance unparalleled in the modern era. Huxley's brave new world is completed with Clarke's mysticism and ponderings of the ultimate mystery.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fantastic scifi novel

super original story and the performance suits the characters well. I need to go find more Clarke

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  • JC
  • 2020-12-19

Best SF Ever, a must read (or listen).

Superb plot, wonderfully executed. Clarke had so much foresight that this title is still largely realistic & applicable after almost 70 years.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Creative and wonderful with a few slow stretches

Excellent concepts and creativity for a classic, strong science fiction book. Strong narration as well. Only a few slow sections in the middle of the story (eg. Social ‘scenes’ typical for 1950’s sci-fi at the time that have a similar tone) hold it back from being a truly 5/5 star story. I would recommend this book strongly, though.

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