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Years ago, the enormous, enigmatic alien spacecraft called Rama sailed through our solar system as mind-boggling proof that life existed — or had existed — elsewhere in the universe. Now, at the dawn of the twenty-third century, another ship is discovered hurtling toward us. A crew of Earth's best and brightest minds is assembled to rendezvous with the massive vessel. They are armed with everything we know about Raman technology and culture. But nothing can prepare them for what they are about to encounter on board Rama II: cosmic secrets that are startling, sensational — and perhaps even deadly.
Born in 1917 in the seaside town of Minehad in Somerset, England, Clarke developed an early interest in both science and its literary sister, speculative science fiction. After secondary school he moved to London and joined the British Interplanetary Society, where he contributed articles to the Society's bulletin. During WWII, he joined the RAF, working in the experimental trials of Ground Controlled Approach Radar, the forerunner of today's air traffic control systems. (This experience inspired his only non-science fiction novel, 1963's Glide Path.) In a technical paper written in 1945 for the UK periodical Wireless World, he set out the principles of satellite communication that would lead to the global satellite systems in use today.
After WWII, he attended King's College, London, on scholarship and received first class honors in Physics and Mathematics. He sold his first sci-fi story to Astounding Science Fiction magazine in May of 1946. From that point on, he never stopped writing. Some of his more notable works include Childhood's End, Rendezvous with Rama, and The Fountains of Paradise.
In 1964, Clarke was approached by film auteur Stanley Kubrick to collaborate on a science fiction movie script. The material chosen for adaptation was Clarke's 1948 short story "The Sentinel," an eerie tale about the discovery of an extraterrestrial artifact. Over the next four years, he expanded the story into a full-length novel, while simultaneously writing the screenplay with Kubrick. In 1968, both versions of 2001: A Space Odyssey debuted to great acclaim. Clarke also worked in television -- as a consultant during the CBS news coverage of the Apollo 12 and 15 space missions and as creator of two distinguished series, "Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World" and "Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers."
In 1954, Clarke visited Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon). He fell in love with the country and settled there in 1956, founding a guided diving service and continuing to produce his astonishing books and articles. On March 19, 2008, he died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90, leaving behind an impressive literary legacy and millions of bereft fans.
Clarke was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
In 1986, the Science Fiction Writers of America bestowed on Clarke the title of Grand Master.
At home in Sri Lanka, Clarke survived the deadly Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 that caused the deaths of more than a quarter million people.
Clarke was an expert scuba diver and in 1956 founded a guided diving service in Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon.
In Profiles of the Future (1962), Clarke set forth his "Three Laws," provocative observations on science, science fiction, and society:
Anonymous
Posted January 20, 2013
Great work to read
Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2012
This book is the second in a series about a second huge alien, unpopulated spaceship (Rama II) that is wending its way through our solar system (and then out again)and then is investigated by a much smaller spaceship of humans. The first book, Rendez-vous with Rama, was an excellent space adventure thriller by Clarke. The second book, Rama II, was written with a co-author Gentry Lee, and was more a socio-psychological study of the crew with very little adventure or science fiction involved. I haven't read Rama III or Rama IV but I wouldn't waste my money on them after reading Rama II.
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Posted March 3, 2008
This book is a little 'not there'. There is so much explanation of the inside of Rama that it takes a lot of time and imagination to try to make it out and keep it in perspective. However, Nicole des Jardins does play the pivitol role in the next two books. I read this book quite some time ago and just went back to reread some of it to better understand The Garden of Rama. The Garden of Rama is fantastic - I can't say enough about it. The imagination that went into it is nothing I have ever read before. I have just started Rama Revealed so I can't comment on that yet. But keep going and read at least Garden of Rama - you won't be disappointed.
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Posted October 28, 2006
It's tough to follow up a novel like the original 'Rama'. Arthur C. Clarke does so very well, although there are setbacks in annoying characters and lengthy character development that takes up most of the pages. On the bright side, we are introduced to Nicole des Jardins, who becomes the pivotal figure in the later books. She is Clarke's most respectable hero/heroine, in my opinion. This book is a necessary staple in the Rama series and sets the stage for the next two.
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Posted May 24, 2004
This as just a terrible book. It had a few good moments, but overall is poorly written. As a long time fan of Clarke's work I was surprised and dismayed. The story and character development is rather haphazard. Rama is more a backdrop in this book for socialogical drivel. The story focuses on several things that never really culminate. Plot points are developed to an unnecessary degree and then just abandoned with no resolution. I think at this point I am done with this series judging by the reviews of the remaining books.
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Posted April 27, 2004
Clark, Arthur C. Rama 2. New York: Bantam, 1980. ¿Rama 2¿ is about an alien space craft that enters our solar system. At first everyone thinks that it is an asteroid but they find that it is so symmetrically perfect that it can¿t be. Earth sends astronauts, scientists and, mathematicians to explore this alien craft. When they explore the craft, they find that it is actually an uninhabited world. ¿Rama 2¿ is well-written. It keeps readers attention throughout the story. Clark uses big descriptive words through out the book which in turn makes for a good action-packed book. The words carry a lot of meaning and this makes it less boring to read. This book is one of four in the Rama series and it makes you want to read the rest of the series. Clark does a very good job in making this series because each book is long but full of action.
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Posted June 15, 2003
Warning! This book was written mostly by Gentry Lee, with only a few good bits here and there by good old ACC. You will find very little of the awe and wonder of the original book here. What you will find is page after mind-numbing page of 'character developement'. Minute details of dreams certain characters had as children, dishwater-dull dinner parties, long drawn out phylosophical discussions, and endless petty bickering among the crew of the new exploration party. In the first Rama book, ACC showed us the fantastic world of the alien vessle. In this book Gentry Lee shows us that despite his excelent hard-science background, he isn't really interested in science fiction, but would rather write political commentaries. If you liked Gentry Lee's first colaboration with ACC, 'Cradle', you should love this book. If you are looking for the magic we all expect of Arthur C. Clarke, leave this one on the shelf.
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Posted February 10, 2003
This is a wonderful book that gave me the chills in many places. One of the best books I've read.
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Posted August 15, 2000
What can I say about Rama II, well this is very nice book. If U are a scifi lover, then U must read this book.
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Overview
Years ago, the enormous, enigmatic alien spacecraft called Rama sailed through our solar system as mind-boggling proof that life existed — or had existed — elsewhere in the universe. Now, at the dawn of the twenty-third century, another ship is discovered hurtling toward us. A crew of Earth's best and brightest minds is assembled to rendezvous with the massive vessel. They are armed with everything we know about ...