Bookshelf
The Fountains of Paradise
- mountains
- elevators
- monks
- design and construction
- religious aspects of mountains
- science fiction
Keep track of it on your own bookshelf.
Log in to add itAbout this book
A Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novel from the legendary "colossus of science fiction" and creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey (The New Yorker).
Renowned structural engineer Dr. Vannevar Morgan seeks to link Earth to the stars by constructing a space elevator that will connect to an orbiting satellite 22,300 miles from the planet's surface. The elevator would lift interstellar spaceships into orbit without the need of rockets to blast through the Earth's atmosphere—making space travel easier and more cost-effective.
Unfortunately, the only appropriate surface base for the elevator is located at the top of a mountain already occupied by an ancient order of Buddhist monks who strongly oppose the project. Morgan must face down their opposition—as well as enormous technical, political, and economic challenges—if he is to create his beanstalk to the heavens.
An epic novel of daring dreams spanning twenty decades, this award-winning drama combines believable science with heart-stopping suspense.
"A beautifully mounted story about the human need to reach—literally—for the stars, and the fine line between genius and megalomania." —SFReviews.net
Quotes
From WikiquoteThrough long and bitter experience, Rajasinghe had learned never to trust first impressions, but also never to ignore them.
Since women are better at producing babies, presumably Nature has given men some talent to compensate. But for the moment I can't think of it.
“I am the King.” Ah, but which king? The monarch who had stood on these granite flagstones — scarcely worn then, eighteen hundred years ago — was probably an able and intelligent man; but he failed to conceive that the time could ever come when he would fade into an anonymity as deep as that of his humblest subjects.
Even though you were once a goddess, Kalidasa's heaven was only an illusion.
More by Arthur C. Clarke
All books-
Cita con ramaArthur C. ClarkeCita con ramaArthur C. Clarke
-
The Sands of MarsArthur C. ClarkeThe Sands of MarsArthur C. Clarke
-
Tales of Ten WorldsArthur C. ClarkeTales of Ten WorldsArthur C. Clarke
-
Expedition to EarthArthur C. ClarkeExpedition to EarthArthur C. Clarke
-
2001Arthur C. Clarke2001Arthur C. Clarke
-
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame -- Volume OneRobert SilverbergThe Science Fiction Hall of Fame -- Volume OneRobert Silverberg
-
3001Arthur C. Clarke3001Arthur C. Clarke
-
A Fall of MoondustArthur C. ClarkeA Fall of MoondustArthur C. Clarke
-
2061Arthur C. Clarke2061Arthur C. Clarke
-
2010, odyssey twoArthur C. Clarke2010, odyssey twoArthur C. Clarke
-
Childhood’s EndArthur C. ClarkeChildhood’s EndArthur C. Clarke
-
The Exploration of SpaceArthur C. ClarkeThe Exploration of SpaceArthur C. Clarke
-
The City and the StarsArthur C. ClarkeThe City and the StarsArthur C. Clarke
-
Islands in the SkyArthur C. ClarkeIslands in the SkyArthur C. Clarke
-
Rendezvous with RamaArthur C. ClarkeRendezvous with RamaArthur C. Clarke
-
Profiles of the futureArthur C. ClarkeProfiles of the futureArthur C. Clarke
Similar books
by subject-
The Long Way to a Small, Angry PlanetBecky ChambersThe Long Way to a Small, Angry PlanetBecky Chambers
-
A Memory Called EmpireArkady MartineA Memory Called EmpireArkady Martine
-
Caliban's warJames S. A. CoreyCaliban's warJames S. A. Corey
-
All Systems RedMartha WellsAll Systems RedMartha Wells
-
RecursiónBlake CrouchRecursiónBlake Crouch
-
DuneFrank HerbertDuneFrank Herbert
-
ArtemisAndy WeirArtemisAndy Weir
-
La quinta estaciónN.K. JemisinLa quinta estaciónN.K. Jemisin
-
BintiNnedi OkoraforBintiNnedi Okorafor
-
Morning StarPierce BrownMorning StarPierce Brown
-
Persepolis risingJames S. A. CoreyPersepolis risingJames S. A. Corey
-
Fugitive TelemetryMartha WellsFugitive TelemetryMartha Wells
