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Childhood's End  By  cover art

Childhood's End

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.

Critic reviews

"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)

Featured Article: Our Editors Reveal—The Listens that Got Us Hooked


Our editors have quite the impressive libraries, but where did it all begin? They've thought back to their own very first listens or the audiobook that took them from audio amateur to totally Audicted, all the while recommending accessible favorites for new listeners to find a starting point for themselves. From time travel to true crime to tech exposés, these are the listens that got us hooked—and a few of the very best audiobooks for first time listeners.

What listeners say about Childhood's End

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  • 11-02-17

Just as thrilling!

Read this book many years ago and I enjoyed this listen as much as I enjoyed reading. The narrator did an excellent job. Excellent from beginning to end!

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Unique story

If you want a different take on alien invasion and perspective on just want the possible place of humanity may be on a grand scale of the universe, then this is a book for you.

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wonderful

a very well-written book with a better conclusion than I expected. must read. loved it

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Expectations matched

The overlords voice is now imprinted in my brain. Morgan Freemon has nothing on this guy. Seriously though, incredible story and due to the high amount of dialogue between characters, this makes a great audiobook to listen to.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Decent

I listen to the book because I remember reading it as a kid and enjoying it. However, I don't think the story holds up as well for me. The performances are good it was worth a listen.

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Something any sci-fi and classics buff should get

Would you listen to Childhood's End again? Why?

I will listen to this book again in time and I'm sure I'll let my future children listen to it as well. It is well worth it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There wasn't any particular moment in the book that moved me, because the whole book had me interested for the duration. It's a creative thinking process that I can only imagine writers to aspire towards.

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wonderful book will make you laugh and cry and be

inspiring and entrancing a phenomenal tale and a worthy evolution for humanity indeed wow wow

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The ending is worth it

The book is pretty slow for quite awhile, but stick with it. The last few chapters make it all worthwhile. Very sad book all in all.

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very different then his later books..

the storyline in this book is very detailed and paints a vivid picture of Mankind's future..

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Enjoy Clarke's masterpiece in a new way

What did you love best about Childhood's End?

Clarke paints a believable scenario about contact with an Alien species. What did I like best? The relationship between between the Karellen and Stormgren.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I guess my favorite "character" was Rupert Boyce. His job description and the tools he has to execute his duties were fascinating . His house was something too.

Really, I thought that Stormgren was the most interesting character. Walking the tightrope between serving mankind and his friendship Karellen was interesting to watch unfold.

What about Eric Michael Summerer and Robert J. Sawyer (Introduction) ’s performance did you like?

The performance was exceptional.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mankind's Next Step

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