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Childhoods End
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
In the near future, enormous silver spaceships appear without warning over mankinds largest cities. They belong to the Overlords, an alien race far superior to humanity in technological developmentand their purpose is to dominate the Earth. Their demands, however, are surprisingly beneficialend war, poverty, and cruelty. Their presence, rather than signaling the end of humanity, ushers in a golden ageor so it seems. But it comes at a price. Without conflict, humanity ceases to work toward creative achievement, and culture stagnates. And as the years pass, it becomes more and more clear that the Overlords have a hidden agenda for the evolution of the human racethat may not be as beneficial as it seems. Originally published in 1953, Childhoods End is Clarkes first successful noveland is considered a classic of science fiction literature. Its dominating theme of transcendent evolution appears in many of Clarkes later works, including the Space Odyssey series. In 2004, the book was nominated for the Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel.
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IamIamIam
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Omigosh, the only thing I really love about old school sci fi is when things become true!! This is just spot on from 1953!!!

Eggs Incredible 🙌🏻 1y
27 likes1 comment
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IamIamIam
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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I suppose this still holds true... even more accurate if you've got a customer service job!!!!

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TheNeverendingTBR
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Pickpick

A great little read. To think that this was almost 70 years ago, the writer's imagination is phenomenal.

Childhood's End is a thought-provoking and sinister read, which is way ahead of it's time.

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HeyT
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Pickpick

You would think with the words Last Generation of Mankind written in big letters on the back I‘d expect something kind of sad but I didn‘t so that‘s on me. This is that typical 1950s sci-fi that makes you think about the way mankind behaves and extrapolates about where it can go. This started out kind of slow for me but by the end I was invested and had to see where it was going. It was my #BookSpin for March @TheAromaofBooks #BuriedAliveChallenge

HeyT @TheAromaofBooks I know you said you were having problems with Litsy eating your comments but I wanted to make sure you saw this. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Thank you!!! I think I did see it because your review sounds familiar, but my comments don't want to stick!!! 4y
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HeyT
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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#WeeklyForecast
My main goal for this week is to finish the tagged and then make headway into Obelisk Gate and possibly The Thousand Names. I doubt I'll finish them but if I do it's on to more Thursday Next. I decided to put Trials of Koli on pause until I can come to terms with the fact there's now two povs instead of just Koli's.

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HeyT
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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I‘ve been spending too much time indoors lately (haven‘t we all lol) so I decided to take my book out to the front porch. Shoutout to my cats for taking up all my favorite reading spots at the same time to give me this idea.

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HeyT
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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After three days with no reading buddies I‘m glad the girls finally decided to join me again. Even if Callie is more interested in playing with Sierra‘s tail than keeping me company.
#CatsOfLitsy

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HeyT
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Decided to start this one today since I‘m still not in the mood to finish Trials of Koli. I‘ve said this for two days now though so hopefully posting will make follow through happen.

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HeyT
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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I‘m excited for my #BookSpin selections this month. I always like when I get one sci fi and one fantasy to mix it up a bit. I‘ve been meaning to read Obelisk Gate forever so it‘s nice to have that extra push to finish the trilogy.

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eve
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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“The world‘s now placid, featureless, and culturally dead: nothing really new has been created since the Overlords came. The reason‘s obvious. There‘s nothing left to struggle for, and there are too many distractions and entertainment.”

this novel is so bizarre. apparently it was a SyFy miniseries in 2015? This art is by Neal Adams, concept artist for an unformed movie planned in the 1970s.

rwmg It's very ummm phallic 😃 4y
4 likes1 comment
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ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Pickpick

Excellent, classic sci-fi. Earth is being observed/governed by alien overlords who never descend. They stay in airships in the sky and keep watch over everyone‘s actions. All evil is corrected, despotism eliminated. But there‘s a lot more to their intentions.
I flew through this one. It was written in the 50s, but is still relevant and has aged well. Definitely a must-read.

RamsFan1963 I guess I should re-read this. I seem to be the only person who didn't like it the first time around. 4y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled @RamsFan1963 Hmm. I wouldn‘t force it. Too many good books out there, right? 😁 4y
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rwmg
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

Although Clarke repudiated the parapsychological aspects in a 1989 afterword and the picture of women was very much of its time (1950s), the ending is still inspires awe before the Overmind and pity for the Overlords, stuck in their evolutionary deadend but forced to watch other species move on.

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zsuzsanna_reads
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Panpan

Yes, Clarke predicted a lot of technological developments (although there are still way too many fax machines in here). But there are much better written and more interesting classic sci-fi novels out there that aren't nearly so depressing. The overall message (or was there even one?) was unconvincing. The only entertaining bit for me was the form the overlords took.

#1001books #LifetimeReadingPlan

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rwmg
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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zsuzsanna_reads I'm reading this right now too! 6y
rwmg @zsuzsanna_reads It's a quick read - I've nearly finished 6y
zsuzsanna_reads I still have a couple of hours to go in my audiobook. Can't wait to find out how it ends. I found it hilarious when the overlords revealed themselves. 6y
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Andrew65
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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1. Has to be chocolate when I am ever feeling low! If illness sick, weetabix in hot milk!
2. This is going to sound really sad but don‘t think anybody EVER read a story to me at bedtime.
3. With a book if not too ill, if too ill asleep!
4. @Cathythoughts

Thanks for the tag @JenlovesJT47
#TuesdayTidbits

JenlovesJT47 🧡🧡🧡 6y
LauraBeth Now that I think about it, I can‘t recall anyone ever reading me a bedtime story either...😟 6y
EadieB That is sad but it was a sign of the times! I can‘t remember someone reading to me either. I probably read to myself! 6y
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TNbookworm I can't remember anyone reading me a bedtime story either! Maybe that's why I always read one to my daughter when she was small. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB Ditto! 6y
Andrew65 Strange how we all have similar experiences. @LauraBeth @EadieB @TNbookworm 6y
cherinium I remember reading being encouraged (books were always around, we went to the library a lot, my mom always read books), but I do not ever remember having a book read to me. 6y
Andrew65 @cherinium Yes That was exactly my experience too. 6y
CouronneDhiver Yes! Weetabix are the best 😍😍 6y
Cathythoughts Thankyou for the tag my friend... I‘ll get to it ASAP 👍🏻❤️ 6y
Cathythoughts And Number 2 ... me neither , I can‘t ever remember it because it never did happen. It is sad ... but , we are reading now 👍🏻❤️❤️ 6y
Lauram My father very infrequently read books to me when I was a child. I‘m not sure my mom ever did. I do remember sitting next to my mom pretending to read while she read her books. I couldn‘t wait to learn how to read! 6y
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Pedrocamacho
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Pickpick

I grabbed this short book with the idea of reading it over a weekend trip. It‘s a fun little read. Published in the 50‘s, it‘s packed with silly anachronisms, like “The task would have been impossible without the aid of the giant computing machines that could perform the work of a thousand human calculators in a matter of seconds.”

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Andrew65
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻👍🏻 6y
vkois88 👍👍👍👍 6y
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2BR02B
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Book: Childhood's End
Author: Ted Chiang
Movie: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
TV Show: Carnivale
Food: Candied pecans

#manicmonday @JoScho

JoScho Candies pecans are delicious! Thanks for playing 💖 6y
tammysue Ooh love candied pecans! 6y
54 likes2 comments
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MLRio
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Pickpick

The next time someone asks me why I never want to have children I‘m just going to give them a copy of this book. Deeply weird, wildly imaginative, unsettling in the extreme. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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MLRio
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke

There were some things that only time could cure. Evil men could be destroyed, but nothing could be done with good men who were deluded.

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MLRio
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke

He felt no regrets as the work of a lifetime was swept away. He had labored to take man to the stars, and now the stars–the aloof, indifferent stars–had come to him.

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JessicaBates
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Got a great #scifi #bookhaul today from #goodwill ✨📚

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Betty
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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"There have been #underground movements before, and even Karellen, whatever powers he's got, won't find it easy to deal with us. We're out to fight for our independence." #quotsynov17

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TobeyTheScavengerMonk
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Hunky Dory is my favorite Bowie album, and I still remember the moment when it clicked in my head that #OhYouPrettyThings is pretty much exactly the plot of Childhood's End.

First the alien Overlords come "All the nightmares came today" etc. and let humanity know that the children of Earth will become uplifted super beings "Look at your children / See their faces in golden rays" etc. Check it, the lyrics all fit.

#SeptemBowie

TobeyTheScavengerMonk This post is even better if you imagine I have a crazy conspiracy-theorist voice. (edited) 7y
TK421 I am now imagining you sounding like Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now.😁 7y
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Daisey
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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This was my view while camping this afternoon! Then we went swimming and kayaking. I'm hoping to get in some more reading time this evening and tomorrow along with more quality family time.

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rebecca_lib
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Panpan

This book is so problematic even for #classicscifi. Maybe skip it if colonialist metaphors for humanity's future make you barf.

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sprainedbrain
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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#JuneTunz #RuleTheWorld

The Overlords are all about ruling the world. 🌎

Also, I'm kind of freaking out because I can't find my well-worn copy that I've had since college. This image, courtesy of google, is a close approximation of my missing friend. 😳

MCYmermaid Hope your MIA copy emerges. 8y
ApoptyGina69 That's the same copy I have. It was my mom's. I agree, I'd be bummed if I couldn't find it. Good luck! 👍 8y
LeahBergen My older brother had this edition! 8y
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batsy That's a great cover! I hope it shows up. 8y
Cinfhen Oh no 😖I hate missing books....🤞🏼🤞🏼 8y
RealBooks4ever Sure hope it turns up! 💜 8y
SaraFair I found an old book I love in my son's closet this week. Why did I put it in there? I am sure I was desperate for storage. Good luck- 8y
107 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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lamaman2boys
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Pickpick

This was crazy, creepy, thought provoking, all the things. (Also terrifying, since I have my own kids now). I definitely preferred the first half, it was interesting to think about what would happen if the alien overlords came.

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lamaman2boys
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Finally started listening to this, it's been on my list forever. So far it is great sci-fi. I'm really excited to see how the story goes.

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2BR02B
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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I love the pulp covers you find on old mass market paperback editions of classic sci fi and fantasy. I find them unexplainably charming.

Mommamanzi I'm reading the same copy! 8y
9 likes1 comment
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tricours
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Pickpick

Ooh I liked this one. It contained several unexpected turns of events and revelations, and Clarke manages to create a world its very easy to become immersed in. Thanks @soldeace !

soldeace Yay! I love Clarke, I'm so glad you liked it! 8y
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tricours
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Multitasking 😁 I can't get enough minutes of focus at a time to read in German or Russian ( @mhillis not sure what to think of the book!) so I'll focus on this one instead! It's not at all bad.

mhillis What chapter are you on? I was busy with work and only got through 2 chapters this week... 8y
tricours @mhillis I think 10 or 11... 8y
mhillis Ok I'm on chapter 8 now. Maybe it picks up after she leaves Japan? 8y
27 likes3 comments
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tricours
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Chill evening at home. This wine is awesome, which is why the bottle is almost empty. Highly recommended, and it's easy to recognize as well! Perhaps the #recommendsday sticker isn't for wine?? 😱

Simona 😂 It's Friday - it can be. 8y
24 likes1 comment
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tricours
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Currently not a whole lot to do at the office, so I'm squeezing in some reading with the Kindle desktop app 😀

cariashley Genius! 👏🏻👏🏻 8y
EmilyAnne I do this too! So convenient! 😉 8y
36 likes2 comments
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tricours
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Who got lots of bookish gifts? Well, not me! I got this ebook from an awesome friend far far away though. 🤗

Smangela I know I won't get bookish gifts either - my mom really wants me to finish the ones I have before she buys me more (that'll never happen so I'll have to lie to her 😉) 8y
tricours @Smangela My parents don't give gifts anymore, they give money to charity instead, and my in laws always give me a gift card for clothes, because they barely know what books are 😛 And my partner always gives me electronics! Oh well... 8y
Smangela Hahahaha! That's why we've got to treat ourselves I guess :) merry Christmas! 8y
18 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Day 18 of #augustphotochallenge is #usedbooks

I ❤️ used book stores, garage sales, and thrift shops for book shopping. I often pass books I have read on to others, but here is a little stack of some used books that I have either decided to keep in my collection or have yet to read.

SaraFair I do the same thing,@sprainedbrain! I have found great gems that way and I also use Thriftbooks.com sometimes. I search on facebook for library sales too. That's why all my books on Litsy are at least a couple of years old, unless I got it as a gift! 8y
sprainedbrain @SaraFair I've been meaning to check out thriftbooks.com. Do you have a lot of luck with it? Prices reasonable? 8y
Mayread @sprainedbrain I just shopped at thriftbooks. The prices on the deal books were 3 per book once you hit a total of 4 books purchased. Otherwise between 3.60-4.00 per book. Free shipping after 20 dollars and the coupon codes taking 15% off do work. So you can get a lot of bang for your buck-- but have to spend at least 20-25 for it to be worthwhile. 8y
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sprainedbrain @Skiles sounds good! Thanks for the info. 8y
MemoirsForMe You just mentioned all my fave places to shop! 😊👍🏻 8y
SaraFair @sprainedbrain - I got free shipping for $10 both times I ordered, which may have been a special. All of the books are in great shape as far as condition. Only thing is they don't have the selection of Amazon. Sign up for their emails! 8y
105 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Adutcher
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke

Time to read some Arthur C. Clarke.

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ScriboGero
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Pickpick

Just finished the audio version on Audible. An amazing and creative work of science fiction that holds up. I avoided it for years because I think of the long drawn out moments of Space Odyssey but I should have read it a long time ago!

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Woodermellin
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Excited to start "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke, thanks to my older sister.

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Grootitude
Childhood's End | Arthur Charles Clarke
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Hoping this will get me through a day with perpetually angry toddler. So far, so good! Even had story time!

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SGJ
Childhoods End | Arthur C. Clarke
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Pickpick

I built a novel around this book, once upon a time. I've got a big fancy one somewhere, but a few of these little ones as well. Getting on another plane this morning, this book's my stuffed animal, the one the kid always goes back into the fire for.

Orbeck33 Beautiful review! 9y
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