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Rescue Party  By  cover art

Rescue Party

By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's summary

"Rescue Party" was first published in the May 1946 issue of Astounding Science-Fiction.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) is regarded as one of the most-influential science fiction writers of all time. He was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

©2000 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about Rescue Party

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

65 years later, still a good story.

In the 80s, I read Clark’s books along with other great Syfy masters. So when I saw this short story, I wondered if it would hold up and it did. Not a super complex storyline, and of course the sciences antiquated

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic genius

Clarke tells a good story about the very long term future of humanity. A scientist and novelist, a realist and a visionary.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So Captivating and Brilliant!!

I thought this short 1 hour story would be dated and past it’s time, being written so long ago. Wow, was I wrong! It could have been written yesterday, definitely worth the few bucks for the entertainment value. Surprisingly futuristic and insightful. I just wish it would have continued!!! Left me wishing for more. SO good.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fun short story

Sometimes a short story just feels like a good diversion from a long series. While this had a rather gloomy tone, it was enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Clarke was ahead of his time

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.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the most inspiring stories of humanity.

It is a classic of course. It is a classic for a reason. Way ahead of his time, Mr. Clarke wrote about fantastical futures …. that also included his true feelings for human kind. Admiration, pride and hope. One of the simpler yet still interesting short stories he’s written, this one finds a way to pinch your heart and pluck its strings when you least expect it and make you feel proud of being human.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining from start to Finish

When I became aware that it was a book written over half a century ago I thought it would be dated. It was actually very well written with only a couple of very minor technology details that didn’t take away from the story at all. I just wish it was longer I can tell more of the story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable but predictable

The story predates most modern sci-fi so the ideas were original at the time.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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I love classic scifi

I love reading classic scifi. The concepts of what writers in the 50s and 60s expected humanity and Earth to be like in the future fascinates me. They never get the technology right (punch card walls of equipment for computers, no cell phones or internet) yet they conceive space flight and aliens. Always a fun time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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