Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Rescue Party  By  cover art

Rescue Party

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $6.95

Buy for $6.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

"Rescue Party" was first published in the May 1946 issue of Astounding Science-Fiction.

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 Rescue Party

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    115
  • 4 Stars
    41
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    119
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    106
  • 4 Stars
    31
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

65 years later, still a good story.

In the 80s, I read Clark’s books along with other great Syfy masters. So when I saw this short story, I wondered if it would hold up and it did. Not a super complex storyline, and of course the sciences antiquated

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic genius

Clarke tells a good story about the very long term future of humanity. A scientist and novelist, a realist and a visionary.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So Captivating and Brilliant!!

I thought this short 1 hour story would be dated and past it’s time, being written so long ago. Wow, was I wrong! It could have been written yesterday, definitely worth the few bucks for the entertainment value. Surprisingly futuristic and insightful. I just wish it would have continued!!! Left me wishing for more. SO good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A fun short story

Sometimes a short story just feels like a good diversion from a long series. While this had a rather gloomy tone, it was enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining from start to Finish

When I became aware that it was a book written over half a century ago I thought it would be dated. It was actually very well written with only a couple of very minor technology details that didn’t take away from the story at all. I just wish it was longer I can tell more of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable but predictable

The story predates most modern sci-fi so the ideas were original at the time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I love classic scifi

I love reading classic scifi. The concepts of what writers in the 50s and 60s expected humanity and Earth to be like in the future fascinates me. They never get the technology right (punch card walls of equipment for computers, no cell phones or internet) yet they conceive space flight and aliens. Always a fun time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Clarke was ahead of his time

Clarke was ahead of his time

His Sci-fi is amazing and so well written it’s hard to imagine he had such great insight to things we only just imagining now.

All his works are amazing and this short story just add to the collection read by Ray Porter that I’m falling in love with again. Ray is such an excellent narrator he makes the book come alive.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the most inspiring stories of humanity.

It is a classic of course. It is a classic for a reason. Way ahead of his time, Mr. Clarke wrote about fantastical futures …. that also included his true feelings for human kind. Admiration, pride and hope. One of the simpler yet still interesting short stories he’s written, this one finds a way to pinch your heart and pluck its strings when you least expect it and make you feel proud of being human.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Short Story from the 1940's

There is not really much to say about this other than it is a short story written in the 1940's.

It has to do with a space ship that was on another exploration mission discovering a planet that is hours from being destroyed by an explosion of the sun in this galaxy. They decide to go and try to see if there is anyone to save - or information to be had - because this is a relatively new planet (in the scheme of things) and are gob smacked that not only has humanity evolved in a very short time, but apparently they have developed the scientific ability for time travel.

Honestly, my favorite thing about this story is that Ray Porter is the narrator. Truly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful