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VERY FINE. Sealed and mint as if shipped by publisher. No Flaws. Personally Signed by Jack Dann and David Ho. LIMITED TO ONLY 300 SIGNED & NUMBERED COPIES. THIS IS NUMBER 142. Centipede Press, October 2019. Arthur C. Clarke "Childhood's End". Slipcased deluxe signed limited edition. Signed by Jack Dann and David Ho. Fully cloth bound, gorgeous dustjacket, ribbon marker, head and tail bands. As new, sealed without any visible flaws. Exclusive Features for this Edition. Limited to 300 signed & numbered copies. Signed by Jack Dann and David Ho. Introduction by Jack Dann. Interview with Arthur C. Clarke. The story Guardian Angel . Several reproductions of covers of older editions of the book. Fully cloth bound, gorgeous dustjacket, ribbon marker, head and tail bands. Cloth slipcase with illustrated aluminum plate inlay. Tipped-in color illustrations. Published October 2019. ISBN 978-1-61347-134-0. Book size 6� � 10 inches. Number of pages: 384. Synopsis Novels of alien invasion are as common as dirt; however, peaceful alien invasions are a far rarer breed of story. Beginning with Guardian Angel, Clarke began laying the groundwork for the magnificent chronicle of the interaction with humanity by the mysterious Overlords who seem entirely benign in intent. Clarke s tale of the end of the human race as we understand it is an epic on the level of Olaf Stapledon s Last and First Men and Star Maker. The title of the work itself gives you the basic plot: the Overlords are here to help humanity transition to its maturity. The tale of how this unfolds is what makes Childhood s End such a classic work. From the shocking revelation of the Overlords appearance, to a stowaway s forty light-year journey to the Overlords home world to the beginning of what the human race is evolving into, this is truly an epic saga. After five decades of prosperity under the watchful eyes of the Overlords, we see that the humanity s future is that of a group mind, one that will be united with an even vaster one as part of the Overmind. The novel was Clarke s first true success as a novelist, selling out its first printing of over 200,000 copies rather quickly. Long considered to be Clarke s best work, the book is rightfully regarded as one of the true enduring classics of the genre. Over six decades after its first publication this powerful tale of transformation and triumph remains as fresh and optimistic as it was in 1953. Yes, there have been several editions over the years including, but not limited to, a special edition from Easton Press, an entry in the meritorious Gollancz Masterworks Series and even a recent Science Fiction Book Club edition, but there has never been an edition approaching the care and craftsmanship of this new volume from Centipede Press. It is strictly limited to only 300 copies and signed by introducer Jack Dann and artist David Ho. Please do not delay, we are concerned that this release will be fully sold out within a matter of days. Whether you are adding this beautiful edition as an upgrade to your collection, or discovering this classic for the first time, we are quite certain that this edition will exceed your expectations. The edition is limited to 300 copies. The amount of advance excitement toward the book has been extraordinary and we expect it to sell out within a couple weeks. Printed at a luxurious size of 6� � 10 inches (like the other titles in our science fiction series), the book features full wraparound dustjacket work, full cloth binding, two color stamping, blind stamping on front board, two-part signature page, handsome cloth slipcase, and the usual extras you expect.About the author Arthur Charles Clarke was one of the most important and influential figures in 20th century science fiction. He spent the first half of his life in England, where he served in World War Two as a radar operator, before emigrating to Ceylon in 1956. He is best known for the novel and movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, which he co-created.

"Childhood's End" is a science fiction novel written by British author Arthur C. Clarke, first published in 1953. Set primarily in the mid-20th century, the story spans several decades and explores humanity's encounter with a mysterious alien race known as the Overlords. The novel begins with the sudden appearance of enormous alien spaceships over the major cities of Earth. The Overlords, as the aliens come to be called, make themselves known to humanity but refuse to reveal their true appearance, communicating only through a spokesperson named Karellen. Despite initial apprehension and fear, the Overlords quickly establish themselves as benign and benevolent overseers, ushering in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity on Earth. Under the guidance of the Overlords, humanity achieves remarkable technological advancements and social progress. War and conflict become things of the past, and the world unites under a single global government. However, despite the apparent utopia, some individuals begin to question the true intentions of the Overlords and the nature of their ultimate plan for humanity. As decades pass, a new generation of children begins to exhibit extraordinary psychic abilities, suggesting that humanity is on the brink of a profound evolutionary transformation. The Overlords reveal that they have been shepherding humanity toward this evolutionary leap, preparing them for a higher state of existence beyond the physical constraints of mortality and suffering. As the children's powers continue to develop, they become increasingly detached from the rest of humanity, forming a separate and enigmatic group known as the "New Men." Meanwhile, tensions rise among the adults, who grapple with their own existential questions and fears about the future of humanity. Ultimately, the true nature of the Overlords' plan is revealed: they are caretakers and guardians, overseeing humanity's transition into a new stage of existence as part of a cosmic cycle of evolution. As the children reach maturity and prepare to transcend the physical world, the Overlords depart from Earth, leaving humanity to embark on its own journey into the unknown. "Childhood's End" is a profound and thought-provoking exploration of humanity's place in the universe, the nature of evolution, and the consequences of transcending the boundaries of mortality and consciousness. Arthur C. Clarke's visionary storytelling and philosophical insights have cemented the novel's status as a classic of science fiction literature, inspiring generations of readers with its profound themes and imaginative vision of the future.