posted 12-13-2007 01:24 PM
A rare appearance from Arthur C. Clarke can be viewed here to mark his 90th birthday.
Although his mind seems as sharp as ever, sadly, he seems to be saying a "long goodbye"...
dss65 Member
Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
posted 12-16-2007 08:16 PM
Thanks for the link, dom. I can certainly understand your impression of the message.
Happy birthday, Sir. Thank you for expanding my awareness of the realm of infinite possibilities for virtually all of my life. It's been a much richer life because of it.
------------------ Don
LCDR Scott Schneeweis New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 12-16-2007 10:01 PM
He is definately close to embarking on the "Final Odyssey" - it was painful listening to his labored breathing
Posts: 63 From: Franklin, TN 37027 Registered: Dec 2007
posted 12-17-2007 04:18 PM
I enjoyed watching that nine minute video of him. Wow, I didn't know he had lived in Sri Lanka for 50 years. His three wishes were interesting too.
We had the pleasure of meeting some many years back at Notre Dame. Your hospitality to me was most memorable... like you had known me all your life!
God Bless you and your beloved Sri Lanka!
Speed
dss65 Member
Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
posted 12-17-2007 11:33 PM
quote:Originally posted by TellingHistory: He's written a bi-zillion novels. Which are your favorite 2-3? Why?
That's really a tough question. I think, ultimately, his short stories may have made a bigger impact on me than his novels, but here's a shot:
"Childhood's End". It's been more than 20 years since I read it, and it was old then. But I vividly remember that it put me in a kind of state of vertigo for a day or two after I finished it as I questioned everything that I believed.
"Songs of a Distant Earth". The very idea of people from the doomed Earth interacting with people on a distant planet that were seeded there from a doomed Earth--an interaction made possible by advances in technology in the meantime--was so intriguing that it easily carried the whole story for me.
"Rendezvous With Rama". Perhaps because this series was the most recent of Clarke's novels that I have read makes its impression deep. The rest of the series was also good, but "Rendezvous" easily stands on its own.
It would be wrong not to include 4) "2001: A Space Odyssey". A great book and a great movie. I think the only reason I am listing it 4th is because it is so well-known that it's an easy choice. A definite classic for the ages. Maybe should have been #1. A brand new DVD of the movie is currently sitting under our Christmas tree, with its soon-to-be recipient very much looking forward to watching it.
It would probably be wrong to say that there will never be another Arthur C. Clarke -- in fact I'm certain that Clarke hopes that there will be -- but if there is, I sure want to read him/her.
------------------ Don
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 12-18-2007 01:38 AM
Well it's almost 2010, time for a 2nd Odyssey...
Thanks for sharing this weblink!
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 12-18-2007 11:57 AM
2001: A Space Odyssey 2010: Odyssey Two Rendezvous with Rama Childhood's End The Sands of Mars (very old) The Fountains of Paradise A Fall of Moondust
posted 12-13-2007 01:24 PM
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