It is the 22nd century. A new inhabitant on Mars observes an asteroid which is on a collision course with Earth. Naming the Asteroid Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction, Captain Robert Singh is charged with the job of deflecting it with his spaceship Goliath.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
The Hammer of God (Arthur C. Clarke Collection)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Clarke's SF novel concerns an asteroid on a collision course with 22nd-century earth.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
From Library Journal
As an asteroid named "Kali" hurtles toward earth on a collision course that spells the end to life on the planet, a lone spaceship armed with a weapon to alter the asteroid's path attempts to carry out its perilous mission--unaware that others are simultaneously working for earth's destruction. In the capable hands of science fiction veteran Clarke, a standard cosmic disaster plot becomes a lucid commentary on humanity's place in the cosmos. A good choice for science fiction collections.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
CAPTAIN ROBERT SINGH ENJOYED THESE WALKS THROUGH THE forest with his little son, Toby. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
CAPTAIN ROBERT SINGH ENJOYED THESE WALKS THROUGH THE forest with his little son, Toby. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Kindle Edition
Although Clarke foretold the development of com sats and other scientific innovations by decades, his book "The Hammer of God" lays the groundwork for collision events only a few years before scientists started to get organised to identify and plan for such events. So, still ahead of his time, but not by so much. Nonetheless, the story is well told, and indeed includes many imaginative scientific ideas. The films "Armagedon" and "Deep Impact" both exploit elements to be found in Clarke's story, which is why it has such a familiar feel. The only problem I had with the book, is that it lacks "clout" in the way that Clarke's best known stories have. So four stars, not five.
By Eric
Format:Paperback
And this book proves it again when early in humanity's twenty-second century, after all "ills" have been more or less taken care of, including starvation, an astronomer learns that the death of this "perfect" human civilization is hurtling toward it. A fascinating read, even if it is much shorter than other Clarke novels. Add it to such books as: "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", all the "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" books, as well as books as new to the genre as "Advent of the Corps" and others.
By Robert Holm
Format:Paperback
The Hammer of God, written when Clarke was in his mid-70s, is one of Clarke's absolute best books. It tells the story of a huge planet killer of a rock on its way through space on a collision course with Earth, and the efforts made by humanity to prevent the collision (efforts that are sabotaged by religious fanatics who are convinced that the asteroid, named Kali, is quite literally the "hammer of God," sent to judge mankind for its sins). The Hammer of God has everything you could ever want in a novel: a good story, some suspense, a little action, interesting characters, wit, humour, sex, comments on religion (Clarke has even invented a new religion, called "Chrislam"), and such a wealth of ideas that it would be sufficient for a whole series of novels. It was optioned by Steven Spielberg (who later made "Deep Impact," without any mention of Hammer of God in the credits, though).
The subject matter concerns something that is highly relevant in our time and potentially more important than anything else: the danger from "planet killers," that is, comets or giant asteroids colliding with Earth. This danger has always been pretty much ignored (usually because of complete ignorance) by both common people and, which is a lot worse, the people in power, who really should know better. This book has helped raise the awareness of the danger, and, besides, it's a very enjoyable read. Very highly recommended.
The subject matter concerns something that is highly relevant in our time and potentially more important than anything else: the danger from "planet killers," that is, comets or giant asteroids colliding with Earth. This danger has always been pretty much ignored (usually because of complete ignorance) by both common people and, which is a lot worse, the people in power, who really should know better. This book has helped raise the awareness of the danger, and, besides, it's a very enjoyable read. Very highly recommended.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 43 reviews
3.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Average book of an average writer
Well, as you can see I am not one of the Clark's fans out there, I rather call myself mindless idiot who brags about the books a lot more than he is worth of :)
I hate to... Read more
I hate to... Read more
Published on Jun 3 2004 by Matko Vladanovic
3.0 out of 5 stars
Should have known better.
I think I don't give the book as much credit as it possibly deserves because of the overload of Earth-In-Path-Of-Asteroid stories that have been abundant the past decade or so. Read more
Published on Aug 11 2003 by owookiee
2.0 out of 5 stars
Will Earth be destroyed? Who cares?
Not a bad idea, but poorly executed.
This books is incredibly dry - full of scientific facts and future history that reads exactly like a history text book. Read more
Published on April 22 2003 by Kristen A. Templet
4.0 out of 5 stars
A quicky
This is probably the quickest reads ever. If you just need something to kill an afternoon or something to amuse you on a plane flight, this is it. Read more
Published on Dec 6 2002
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Good Sci-Fi
This is my second novel by Arthur C. Clarke and this book was not bad, but it wasn't as good as other science fiction novels that I have read. Read more
Published on Jun 19 2002 by rzaster
3.0 out of 5 stars
A decent afternoon read, but ultimately fairly hollow
Arthur C. Clarke takes off on one of the "What If.." postulations that are often used in fiction today. Read more
Published on May 22 2002 by J. J. Kwashnak
3.0 out of 5 stars
whats going on???
I have a few large problems with this book. One, the length too short the story gets started well is kinda hazy in the middle and picks up strong agian in the end. Read more
Published on April 8 2002 by General Pete
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Much to the Book, but Fun
The Hammer of God is a fast book, and there isn't much to say about it except that. I read this book in less than three hours, and thoroughly enjoyed Clarke's very short chapters... Read more
Published on Dec 29 2001 by Exodus
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hammer of Boredom
In the end notes Clarke comments that the original idea for this novel was a short story...unfortunately he then went and fleshed it out to a book. Read more
Published on Dec 20 2001 by Tghu Verd
3.0 out of 5 stars
Clarke doesn't make use of the potential this book has
The Hammer of God has tremendous potential for an emotional, dramatic, and exciting story: an asteroid big enough to end civilization hurtles towards the Earth, humanity's only... Read more
Published on Jun 29 2001 by "p_nye"
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
