Arthur C. Clarke is one of the highest ranking writers of science fiction, and that position is deserved. Certainly 2001: A Space Odyssey is his major claim to fame with the general public. Rendezvous with Rama won, in 1975, the three highest awards given to writers of science fiction: the Hugo (from science-fiction fans), the Nebula (from science-fiction writers), and the Jupiter (from teachers of science fiction). The rest of his novels are good, solid science fiction. Imperial Earth, his latest effort, b...