Classic SF author Clarke ( 2001: A Space Odyssey ) walks on well-trodden ground with this entertaining but forgettable book. In the early 22nd century, an enormous asteroid is discovered to be on a collision course with the Earth. Humanity, however, is not unprepared, having become an experienced spacefaring race with outposts throughout the solar system. A spaceship, the Goliath , built decades earlier for just such an emergency, is dispatched to deflect the asteroid from its apocalyptic rendezvous. But the mission goes awry, leaving Captain Robert Singh and his crew to find a way to to save the Earth. Clarke writes with dramatic flair, cutting between past and future with dizzying frequency.
unfortunatly i could not get through this book. the characters are cliche. and it is a shadow of the real mccoy. if this book title is appealing to you find lucifers hammer. i expected more from arthur c clark who has never dissapointed me with a story before. i suppose if i got to the action i may have enjoyed it but i just could not get there.