The City and The Stars & The Sands of Mars
 Arthur C. Clarke
  (Sr. Staff Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)  2001 Warner Books
  ISBN: 0446677965

The ten-billion-year-old metropolis of Diaspar is humanity's last home. Alone among the immortals, the only man born in ten million years desperately wants to find what lies beyond the city.

The City and The Stars has been continuously in print since 1956, & has become so ubiquitous as a proto-science fiction story that it is now considered part of our special psyche. Today, when we play interactive games we little realize how prophetic was Clarke's “The Cave of the White Worms,” written decades before computers became household tools.

Way back in 1937, Arthur C. Clarke began a story called Against the Fall of Night which shares some of the plotline for The City and The Stars. Because of the monolithic controls of publishing houses back in those days, both books were eventually released within months of each other & have thus caused readers some confusion.

This newly released omnibus also contains The Sands of Mars in which science-fiction writer Martin Gibson finally gets a chance to visit the research colony on The Red Planet. It's a dream come true -- until he discovers the difficulties & perils of survival on another world & the very real terrors it holds.

Senior Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

Arthur C. Clarke. What can I say? I cannot think of any greater superlatives than have already been said to describe this author & his works. It was over forty years ago that I first picked up an Arthur C. Clarke book & I don't think there's one that I've missed.

When TimeWarner Books gave me the opportunity to read the reprinting of these classic novels, it goes without saying I did not refuse.

The City and The Stars made such an impression on me that I can remember exactly where I was when I read it for the very first time. And that was seventh grade, Bright, California in one of the meanest junior highs I ever did attend. It was an escape, it was fantastical without being fantasy. It was hard science fiction, set in the future. At that age, well, I couldn't comprehend how far in the future but I knew it was a place I would have liked to see, doing things that Alvin did. Living that Grand Adventure with him.

And The Sands of Mars, well, that came to my hand a few years later when I was more adroit at searching out the works of certain authors & became thrilled with its vision & that Grand Theme of Time marching on & achievements galore being made by my alter-ego Gibson.

I would encourage anyone who hasn't read an early Arthur C. Clarke or knows of any young science fiction fan to get this omnibus & introduce them to the universe of Arthur C. Clarke. He did write more than 2001: A Space Odyssey -- you know!

Arthur C. Clarke has more than 100 million copies of his books in print & is credited as the inventor of satellite communications & other technical innovations. He has been named Grand Master from the Science Fiction Writers of America as well as receiving numerous Hugo & Nebula Awards. He is, perhaps, best known for his: 2001: A Space Odyssey; Childhood's End; Rendezvous with Rama & Cradle written with Gentry Lee.
(01/13/02)

David
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Staff Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com