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The Hammer of God  By  cover art

The Hammer of God

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's summary

The Hammer of God was first published in the Sept. 28, 1992 issue of Time.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

©2000 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Hammer of God

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  • Overall
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Wonderful

Such an excellent, classic example of the inspired writing of one of the great masters of science fiction. The inventor of the communications satellite. ;-)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Short and Sweet. A Grand Adventure - tiny package.

This was turned into a much longer story and eventually the inspiration for the movie Deep Impact (according to the intro).

No similarities to that movie at all other than the main theme of a possible meteor impact with the Earth.

A great short story is one that makes you want to learn more about the world that's built within. It's almost a shame for the story to end. For over a half hour, you're transported to this possible future of planet Earth. I found myself wishing for more back story, more history of this future Earth, more glimpses into this future world.

I wouldn't use a credit on it, but it's well worth the purchase price. This narrator has done MANY other short stories by Arthur C Clarke and he's one of the good ones.

This specific story is NOT in the "Collected Short Stories of Arthur C Clarke" which is why I bought it.

The Audible purchase of that short story collection mentioned above IS worth the credit, has over 51 hours of audio, over 100 short stories, and 3 narrators. I purchased this short because it is not included in that larger collection and I've been on a straight binge of short stories by Clarke. I'm really glad I got this one!

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A very nice short story

This is a very short story to listen to before bed. This is a story which as the author said became a much larger book later.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Moving tale of sacrifice

a great little story for bedtime, a tale of spacers making the ultimate sacrifice for humanity

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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So Much Potential Wasted!

ChrIslam? Give me a break! And blasphemy against the Son of God! Maybe I should have expected this from Arthur C. Clarke, but I didn’t. He took a concept, a plot, and RUINED it - turned his story into a piece of garbage. What a waste of talent (his), time, and money (mine)!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Only a short story

Priced to high for the product. Looks like a good deal, but it is not.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Very short

Some books are 8- hrs of good listening. Then there was this one. Its a good story but i wasted a credit on a 34- min book

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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The damned book is 34 minutes long!

The headline says it all! For this I spent one credit! A rather poor story, certainly indifferent by Arthur C. Clarke standards, I suppose this is a case of "Let the buyer beware!", but it didn't occur to me that I would be asked to spend one credit on a story 34 minutes long. I'll know to check next time. I wonder who is the idiot on the Audible staff who decided that selling single stories as Audible "books" was a good idea. Save your credit for something worthwhile, OK?

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Shortened version

I have listened to other versions of this book and a significant amount has been omitted. Also the ending is drastically different than the other rendition. The performer was rather bland in this one as well.

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