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Rescue Party
A spaceship crew from an advanced alien civilization notices that Earth faces imminent destruction as its sun begins to explode. With time rapidly ticking down, the crew desperately searches a now-desolate planet for any possible human survivors.
This is a dramatisation of the very first short story written by one of the world's most prominent Science Fiction authors.
Originally published in Astounding (May, 1946).
This is a dramatisation of the very first short story written by one of the world's most prominent Science Fiction authors.
Originally published in Astounding (May, 1946).
Audio CD
First published May 1, 1946
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About the author
Arthur C. Clarke
1,630 books11.4k followersStories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include
2001: A Space Odyssey
(1968).
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 13, 2025
چقدر خوب بود.
داستان کوتاه "گروه نجات" اثر آرتور سی کلارک یکی از بهترین داستان های کوتاه تو ژانر علمی تخیلی بود که خونده‌ام.
داستانهای با موضوع اولین برخورد معمولا از دید انسان پیش میره و اولین برخورد با با موجودات فضایی رو نشون میده.
ولی تو این داستان کوتاه اولین برخورد رو ما از دید موجودات فضایی میبینیم.
چندساعت بیشتر تا نابودی خورشید و طبیعتا نابودی زمین نمونده و خدمه سفینه S9000 ماموریت دارن که زندگی موجودات ناشناخته بر روی زمین رو نجات بدن، یا حداقل زندگی تعدادی از اون‌ها رو نجات بدن ولی با چیزی رو به رو میشن که آمادگیشو نداشتن...
داستان کوتاه "گروه نجات" اثر آرتور سی کلارک یکی از بهترین داستان های کوتاه تو ژانر علمی تخیلی بود که خونده‌ام.
داستانهای با موضوع اولین برخورد معمولا از دید انسان پیش میره و اولین برخورد با با موجودات فضایی رو نشون میده.
ولی تو این داستان کوتاه اولین برخورد رو ما از دید موجودات فضایی میبینیم.
چندساعت بیشتر تا نابودی خورشید و طبیعتا نابودی زمین نمونده و خدمه سفینه S9000 ماموریت دارن که زندگی موجودات ناشناخته بر روی زمین رو نجات بدن، یا حداقل زندگی تعدادی از اون‌ها رو نجات بدن ولی با چیزی رو به رو میشن که آمادگیشو نداشتن...
March 10, 2017
This is the upside down version of almost all alien exploration stories out there; for one, we are the exotic mysterious civilization, the aliens of the story are interested in.
Wikipedia lists this not-so-short short, as the first published work by Arthur C Clarke, Astounding Science Fiction May 1947, a fitting trailer for the vision and imagination that was to follow. In Rescue Party’s fictional universe, there seems to be a confederation of star civilizations and an Adjustment Bureau orchestrating the history of observed universe. On the onset of a Supernova explosion, Sun in this case, these Lantern Guardians like beings, Alverons as they are known, sends a convoy to rescue or preserve newly discovered Earth’s civilization. Anything more than this would be an overshare at this point. Absolutely loved the pace of the story, the universe and races built in the limitation of words, psychology and mystery of exploration, along with the open ending bonus tease. If there was an option to add review title in goodreads, I would have gone with ‘Rendezvous with Earth’ as a homage for Clarke’s (well, mostly Clarke’s) Rama series.
According to internet legends, Clarke abstained himself from re reading his early published works, for the fear of realizing how little he had improved over years. I must say, something near perfect doesn’t leave you much room for improvement.
Wikipedia lists this not-so-short short, as the first published work by Arthur C Clarke, Astounding Science Fiction May 1947, a fitting trailer for the vision and imagination that was to follow. In Rescue Party’s fictional universe, there seems to be a confederation of star civilizations and an Adjustment Bureau orchestrating the history of observed universe. On the onset of a Supernova explosion, Sun in this case, these Lantern Guardians like beings, Alverons as they are known, sends a convoy to rescue or preserve newly discovered Earth’s civilization. Anything more than this would be an overshare at this point. Absolutely loved the pace of the story, the universe and races built in the limitation of words, psychology and mystery of exploration, along with the open ending bonus tease. If there was an option to add review title in goodreads, I would have gone with ‘Rendezvous with Earth’ as a homage for Clarke’s (well, mostly Clarke’s) Rama series.
According to internet legends, Clarke abstained himself from re reading his early published works, for the fear of realizing how little he had improved over years. I must say, something near perfect doesn’t leave you much room for improvement.
February 5, 2017
Raccolta di racconti di Arthur C. Clarke, uno dei più importanti scrittori di fantascienza, dagli anni ’40 agli anni ’60. Sono storie punteggiate da visioni e temi cari a Clarke, spesso incline a porsi e porci in una prospettiva di tempo sovraumano, osservando la Terra da distanze temporali enormi e seguendone la storia immaginaria oltre l’umanità, estinta o migrata (Lezione di storia e Spedizione di soccorso), pensando al Sole che diventa una supernova (ancora Spedizione di soccorso) (nota: in realtà il Sole non ha abbastanza massa per farlo; diventerà invece una gigante rossa).
La fantascienza hard di Clarke appare anche in questi racconti, anche se a volte un po’ fuori fuoco, o stemperata dalla forma brevissima di alcune di queste storie. Abbiamo speculazioni su campi gravitazionali dal diametro infinito, l’immaginaria applicazione militare (Superiorità); o immaginarie forme di vita primordiali su Venere alle prese col primo contatto coi terrestri (Prima dell’Eden). Uno dei racconti migliori è Estate su Icaro, storia davvero alla Clarke, avventurosa e scientifica, in cui la visione è nell’immaginare i devastanti paesaggi ostili all’uomo. È uno dei racconti per cui vale la pena leggere la raccolta. Purtroppo molti dei racconti sono episodi minori, che disperdono le idee con toni faceti (Sua altezza spaziale), o, più in generale, che non riescono a metterle pienamente a fuoco a causa della brevità.
Gli aspetti scientifici sono godibili anche se a volte antiquati, basati su tecnologie superate già pochi anni dopo la pubblicazione dei racconti; ma non è sempre così, e molti dettagli sono ancora attuali, sostenuti dalle nostre conoscenze. In ogni caso sono dati interessanti, perché la raccolta restituisce il riflesso del pensiero scientifico del suo tempo e soprattutto del rapporto della società con la scienza e con la mitologia che le si costruisce intorno. Il clima di questi racconti è quello di un’umanità che crede nell’importanza di cercare la vita nel sistema solare e nella possibilità di trovarla; che immagina i suoi scienziati alacremente al lavoro su pianeti e asteroidi prossimi alla Terra; insomma, una visione che forse proprio oggi sta tornando ad essere attuale, dopo essere stata messa in soffitta per decenni.
Non tutti i racconti sono importanti, ma il libro ha un valore imprescindibile: è quello dato dal punto di vista di Clarke sulla Terra, sull’umanità e la sua posizione nello spazio-tempo (ridimensionata eppure protagonista della sua propria storia; messa a confronto con le grandezze cosmiche; sfidata dalla fisica inospitale dello spazio intorno a noi).
La fantascienza hard di Clarke appare anche in questi racconti, anche se a volte un po’ fuori fuoco, o stemperata dalla forma brevissima di alcune di queste storie. Abbiamo speculazioni su campi gravitazionali dal diametro infinito, l’immaginaria applicazione militare (Superiorità); o immaginarie forme di vita primordiali su Venere alle prese col primo contatto coi terrestri (Prima dell’Eden). Uno dei racconti migliori è Estate su Icaro, storia davvero alla Clarke, avventurosa e scientifica, in cui la visione è nell’immaginare i devastanti paesaggi ostili all’uomo. È uno dei racconti per cui vale la pena leggere la raccolta. Purtroppo molti dei racconti sono episodi minori, che disperdono le idee con toni faceti (Sua altezza spaziale), o, più in generale, che non riescono a metterle pienamente a fuoco a causa della brevità.
Gli aspetti scientifici sono godibili anche se a volte antiquati, basati su tecnologie superate già pochi anni dopo la pubblicazione dei racconti; ma non è sempre così, e molti dettagli sono ancora attuali, sostenuti dalle nostre conoscenze. In ogni caso sono dati interessanti, perché la raccolta restituisce il riflesso del pensiero scientifico del suo tempo e soprattutto del rapporto della società con la scienza e con la mitologia che le si costruisce intorno. Il clima di questi racconti è quello di un’umanità che crede nell’importanza di cercare la vita nel sistema solare e nella possibilità di trovarla; che immagina i suoi scienziati alacremente al lavoro su pianeti e asteroidi prossimi alla Terra; insomma, una visione che forse proprio oggi sta tornando ad essere attuale, dopo essere stata messa in soffitta per decenni.
Non tutti i racconti sono importanti, ma il libro ha un valore imprescindibile: è quello dato dal punto di vista di Clarke sulla Terra, sull’umanità e la sua posizione nello spazio-tempo (ridimensionata eppure protagonista della sua propria storia; messa a confronto con le grandezze cosmiche; sfidata dalla fisica inospitale dello spazio intorno a noi).
July 27, 2022
This story was written in 1946?! Wow! This little gem of a story about aliens who came to rescue Earthlings from a supernova sun was performed by Ray Porter, who is always brilliant.
August 23, 2019
داستانهای کلارک فوق العاده اند و گروه نجات هم یکی از خوبای کلارکه. در مورد موجودات جالب سفینه s9000 که برای نجات زمین میان ولی ...
December 31, 2018
Apparently Arthur C. Clarke was not happy to hear fans rave about this story being among his best. This story was his first sale to Astounding Science Fiction and to be told (essentially) that his writing hasn't improved over the years was grating to him. In his own words "Those who claim that it's their favorite story get a cooler and cooler reception over the passing years."
I don't think this is one of Clarke's best stories, but it was pretty darned interesting. Although Earth is visited by aliens, we never see a human. Again, this is one of those stories where there is no antagonist. The problems come from nature and circumstance, and the solutions are made through the use of technology and brain-power. I would think that Gene Roddenberry's writing guideline for Star Trek to have all the conflict come from external sources rather than interpersonal friction among the crew may have stemmed in part from Clarke's writing. These are the types of stories that Clarke excels at. The epitome being Rendezvous with Rama which I consider to be among his best stories.
The last line is so out of keeping with the rest of the story and Clarke's world view that I think the editor (John W. Campbell, Jr.) asked for it to be added to give the story extra punch.
I don't think this is one of Clarke's best stories, but it was pretty darned interesting. Although Earth is visited by aliens, we never see a human. Again, this is one of those stories where there is no antagonist. The problems come from nature and circumstance, and the solutions are made through the use of technology and brain-power. I would think that Gene Roddenberry's writing guideline for Star Trek to have all the conflict come from external sources rather than interpersonal friction among the crew may have stemmed in part from Clarke's writing. These are the types of stories that Clarke excels at. The epitome being Rendezvous with Rama which I consider to be among his best stories.
The last line is so out of keeping with the rest of the story and Clarke's world view that I think the editor (John W. Campbell, Jr.) asked for it to be added to give the story extra punch.
December 30, 2014
It was actually a little difficult for me to rate this book. I absolutely love Arthur C. Clarke, and my current goal is to read everything ever published by him. When I decided to read this book that was first published by him, I wasn't expecting it to be amazing since it was his very first published book. However before reading it I seen that everyone praised it so much, and even Clarke had said that others have said it was his best story published.
That being said, I thought it was a decent little story, but definitely not the best story of Clarke's. I think a lot of people praise it because Clarke has formed this story where human's from earth are very special. However, that's the part I didn't like!
I did throughly enjoy the adventure of the story. Although it was missing the very deep characteristics of Clarke's later writings.
That being said, I thought it was a decent little story, but definitely not the best story of Clarke's. I think a lot of people praise it because Clarke has formed this story where human's from earth are very special. However, that's the part I didn't like!
I did throughly enjoy the adventure of the story. Although it was missing the very deep characteristics of Clarke's later writings.
July 1, 2024
Adoro questa fantascienza, quella di una volta, quella che con semplici racconti brevi é in grado di aprirti la mente a numerose possibilità.
In questa raccolta troviamo alcuni racconti di Arthur C. Clarke, famoso per aver scritto “2001 Odissea nello spazio” (in TBR) e “Rama”,l (recensito qualche tempo fa)
A parte il primo, che dà il titolo alla raccolta, sono tutti racconti abbastanza brevi da 10/15 paginette, si va dalle storie della fine del pianeta Terra, alle storie di ricerche scientifiche andate più o meno bene fino a storie di semplici possibilità del futuro.
Questi sono proprio i tipi di racconti che mi piace leggere, la fantascienza di una volta (da notare in fondo alla copertina “Agosto 78 - Lire 1000”).
Trovi le mie recensioni su IG @paolo_legge_fanta
In questa raccolta troviamo alcuni racconti di Arthur C. Clarke, famoso per aver scritto “2001 Odissea nello spazio” (in TBR) e “Rama”,l (recensito qualche tempo fa)
A parte il primo, che dà il titolo alla raccolta, sono tutti racconti abbastanza brevi da 10/15 paginette, si va dalle storie della fine del pianeta Terra, alle storie di ricerche scientifiche andate più o meno bene fino a storie di semplici possibilità del futuro.
Questi sono proprio i tipi di racconti che mi piace leggere, la fantascienza di una volta (da notare in fondo alla copertina “Agosto 78 - Lire 1000”).
Trovi le mie recensioni su IG @paolo_legge_fanta
December 20, 2019
When the crew of the exploration survey ship S9000 is notified of an inhabited planet's sun going super nova, they rush there to save as many of the inhabitants as they can. As the increasing heat has already begun to decimate the surface of the planet, it is difficult and dangerously time-consuming to search for any possible survivors.
Defeat followed by surprise followed by a hint of more to come makes for a tightly written story. And it is an interesting viewpoint, even if filled with old-fashioned science fiction tropes, from tentacles to collective minds. This is the first story written by Clarke, done in 1946. 3.5 out of 5.
Defeat followed by surprise followed by a hint of more to come makes for a tightly written story. And it is an interesting viewpoint, even if filled with old-fashioned science fiction tropes, from tentacles to collective minds. This is the first story written by Clarke, done in 1946. 3.5 out of 5.
October 27, 2023
A scifi tragedy that has wonderful depictions of other ways of being and communicating, and of conflict, friendship, and values.
"But Alveron and his kind had been lords of the Universe since the dawn of history, since that far distant age when the Time Barrier had been folded round the cosmos by the unknown powers that lay beyond the Beginning"
"When a creature of Palador spoke, the pronoun it used was always ‘We’. There was not, nor could there ever be, any first person singular in the language of Palador."
"The sense of nearness was stronger than ever now, but it was nearness in time, not in space."
"But Alveron and his kind had been lords of the Universe since the dawn of history, since that far distant age when the Time Barrier had been folded round the cosmos by the unknown powers that lay beyond the Beginning"
"When a creature of Palador spoke, the pronoun it used was always ‘We’. There was not, nor could there ever be, any first person singular in the language of Palador."
"The sense of nearness was stronger than ever now, but it was nearness in time, not in space."
May 29, 2024
Original take on planetary rescue.
Arthur C Clarke was one of the go-to Sci Fi authors of my youth, however I don’t remember reading Rescue party when I was young, what a shame, it is such an interesting take on an interplanetary rescue party. In my case I had the pleasure of listening to Ray Porter’s fantastic narration deliver this story. Clarke put more substance in this short story than some authors put in entire novels. Based on listening to Rescue Party, I think I’ll go revisit several of the Arthur C Clarke books in my library.
Arthur C Clarke was one of the go-to Sci Fi authors of my youth, however I don’t remember reading Rescue party when I was young, what a shame, it is such an interesting take on an interplanetary rescue party. In my case I had the pleasure of listening to Ray Porter’s fantastic narration deliver this story. Clarke put more substance in this short story than some authors put in entire novels. Based on listening to Rescue Party, I think I’ll go revisit several of the Arthur C Clarke books in my library.
December 22, 2020
No wonder Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most celebrated sci-fi authors. He targets the human psyche from a completely foreign angle, he makes you wonder, giving full justice to the genre. And he does that with a refined sense of knowledge about the world he creates his story in.
A story about aliens rescuing the inhabitants of dying Earth, while cracking jokes on the planet's advancement and underestimating their potential. What more do you want?
A story about aliens rescuing the inhabitants of dying Earth, while cracking jokes on the planet's advancement and underestimating their potential. What more do you want?
August 19, 2019
Mitica raccolta di racconti che a mio parere contiene alcune perle della fantascienza di tutti i tempi. I nove miliardi di nomi di Dio è uno di questi. La stella è sicuramente un altro. I panorami mentali di Clarke sono rimasti affascinanti anche dopo cinquant’anni (ho letto la prima volta questo libro da adolescente).
October 26, 2020
Clarke was ahead of his time
His Sci-fi is amazing and so well written it’s hard to imagine he had such great insight to things we only just imagining now.
All his works are amazing and this short story just add to the collection read by Ray Porter that I’m falling in love with again. Ray is such an excellent narrator he makes the book come alive.
His Sci-fi is amazing and so well written it’s hard to imagine he had such great insight to things we only just imagining now.
All his works are amazing and this short story just add to the collection read by Ray Porter that I’m falling in love with again. Ray is such an excellent narrator he makes the book come alive.
November 6, 2022
An spaceship manned by many different aliens is racing to get to Earth before its sun explodes. The Federation of these alien races had last surveyed Earth four hundred thousand years ago and had found no intelligent life. But now they hope to rescue some of Earth’s inhabitants. The story is good but it’s the last page that is chilling!
March 10, 2024
I've read the majority of Clarke's science fiction novels but very few of his short stories. This one's from 1946 and the first one he managed to sell. It's nice to see that Clarke was in a good form right from the start.
I liked the story a lot and the ideas behind some of the alien crew members were fascinating. I'm not a huge fan of the last sentence, though.
I liked the story a lot and the ideas behind some of the alien crew members were fascinating. I'm not a huge fan of the last sentence, though.
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March 25, 2024Rescue the light
there was in earth
dream turn nightmare
ilian come to solve a magic of life
to hold soul of breath
at danti hell there more
paradice above the hell
thee can survive
what a blood boil for
i come near of sea of hope
dig in the soil
many breath want the luck
itsnt game
itsnt dare
its life or death
and light come pure to sky
there was in earth
dream turn nightmare
ilian come to solve a magic of life
to hold soul of breath
at danti hell there more
paradice above the hell
thee can survive
what a blood boil for
i come near of sea of hope
dig in the soil
many breath want the luck
itsnt game
itsnt dare
its life or death
and light come pure to sky
December 7, 2019
Nice short story from Clarke... with aliens and our Sun going supernova... made me laught at the end.
Source: //baencd.freedoors.org/Books/The%20Worl...
First finished: 7dec2019
Source: //baencd.freedoors.org/Books/The%20Worl...
First finished: 7dec2019
February 10, 2021
A fascinating twist on aliens visiting earth. The purpose of the visit: to rescue as many earthlings as possible from impending doom. I loved the “Twilight Zone”-like twist at the end. A simple short 8-world sentence!
February 27, 2025
Μία που το διαβάζεις και μία που το ξεχνάς. Ο Κλαρκ μπορεί να έγινε γνωστός χάρη στις ταινίες που προέκυψαν από τα βιβλία του και τη ματιά του προς το μέλλον, αλλά σαν συγγραφέας ήταν μάλλον μέτριος (σταυρώστε με, θα το λέω και την ώρα που βάζετε τα καρφιά)
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July 11, 2018Hämmastav! Ma leidsin veel ühe lühiloo, mis mulle tohutult meeldib. Pagan, see on üks parimaid, mida ma Clarke'ilt lugenud olen.
July 30, 2019
Very short story and part of a three-part story, This was a good read.
September 24, 2019
It was good for what it was. I'd be interested to continue to see where it goes
October 20, 2019
CIT:
"sono sempre poco socievole a colazione,
e avevo imparato a stare in guardia contro gli originale, i seccatori e gli entusiasti che sembravano considerarmi loro legittima preda!
"sono sempre poco socievole a colazione,
e avevo imparato a stare in guardia contro gli originale, i seccatori e gli entusiasti che sembravano considerarmi loro legittima preda!
May 3, 2020
Wow! Great first story sold by Clarke! A beautiful example of how success destroys talent c.f. Clarke's dreadful latter works e.g. "3001: The Final Odyssey" and "The Last Theorem" etc.
December 7, 2020
A rescue party is sent to Earth to find surviving people before the sun goes supernova. Great story. enjoyed it
April 24, 2021
Rescue Party, by Arthur C. Clarke
"On the world once known as Earth the fires were dying out: There was nothing left to burn." (3 stars)
"On the world once known as Earth the fires were dying out: There was nothing left to burn." (3 stars)
November 18, 2021
Classic Clarke.
July 26, 2022
I have always enjoyed Arthur C Clarke. His stories are always so well thought out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews