#77. CHILDHOOD'S END By Arthur C Clarke

Published : 1953
Pages : 237
Overall Mark : 9/10

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 a little rebellion at first, mankind agreed, and a golden age began.

But at what cost?

ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008)
Born in Somerset, but a long-time resident of Sri Lanka, Sir Arthur C. Clarke was the world's most famous SF writers. He wrote the scientific paper which established the principle of communications satellites and he collaborated with Stanley Kubrick on 2001: A Space Odyssey.

VERDICT
I loved this book about alien overlords who take it upon themselves to end all suffering on earth in exchange for a level of human stagnation, wherein nothing classed as progress can be said to occur on Earth. The twist in the tale happens some 50 years later when the true identity of the overlords is revealed, but where some writers would stop there, Clarke continues and brings us a very interesting look at human perception can lead to some sever prejudice which may or may not be warranted.