The Best Collection Ever Of Arthur C. Clarke S Short Fiction, Including The Stories On Which 2001: A Space Odyssey And Childhood S End Were Based. The Sentinel Is A Magnificent Retrospective Showcase Of Arthur C. Clarke S Finest Shorter Fiction. Spanning Four Decades Of Writing, This Book Includes Many Gems Of A Genius At The Height Of His Powers. The Title Piece Is The Story That Inspired 2001. Guardian Angel Is A Rarely Anthologised Work That Gave Birth To Childhood S End, And The Songs Of Distant Earth Is The Original Version Of Clarke S Own Favourite Novel. Along With Other Vaulting Tales Of Imagination Are Fascinating Introductions Telling The History Of Each Story From Conception To Completion. From One Of The Greatest Science-Fiction Writers Of All Time. The Sentinel Is One Of Those All-Too-Few Collections That Must Be Read, Re-Read, Then Treasured.