The Nine Billion Names of God {story}
by Arthur C. Clarke
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This is a very clever story about Tibetan Buddhists and a computer. I'm not sure it's religiously accurate, and it's not very profound, but it's clever. So why do I give it four stars? Because I read it when I was twelve, which makes it golden age material for me.
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Author Information

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Arthur C. Clarke was born in Minehead, Somerset, England, on December 16, 1917. During World War II, he served as a radar specialist in the RAF. His first published piece of fiction was Rescue Party and appeared in Astounding Science, May 1946. He graduated from King's College in London with honors in physics and mathematics, and worked in show more scientific research before turning his attention to writing fiction. His first book, Prelude to Space, was published in 1951. He is best known for his book 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was later turned into a highly successful and controversial film under the direction of Stanley Kubrick. His other works include Childhood's End, Rendezvous with Rama, The Garden of Rama, The Snows of Olympus, 2010: A Space Odyssey II, 2062: Odyssey III, and 3001: The Final Odyssey. During his lifetime, he received at least three Hugo Awards and two Nebula Awards. He died of heart failure on March 19, 2008 at the age of 90. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Is contained in
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One: The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of All Time by Robert Silverberg
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume I, IIA, IIB, the Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time (Boxed Set, in Slipcase) by Robert Silverberg (indirect)
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Nine Billion Names of God {story}
- Original title
- The Nine Billion Names of God [short story]
- Original publication date
- 1953
- People/Characters*
- Dr. Wagner; George Hanley; Chuck
- Important places*
- Manhattan, New York, New York, USA; Tibet
- First words*
- »Dies ist ein ziemlich ungewöhnlicher Auftrag«, sagte Dr. Wagner und fand, daß er sich damit noch zurückhaltend ausdrückte.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Über ihnen erloschen die Sterne.
- Original language*
- Englisch
- Disambiguation notice*
- This is a short story. Do NOT combine with any collections.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Members
- 24
- Popularity
- 1,105,479
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.06)
- Languages
- Dutch, English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 1
- ASINs
- 1
























































