Book cover of Prelude To Space

Book description

Prelude to Space is a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke, first published in 1951. The story is set in the near future and follows the first manned spaceflight from Earth to the Moon.The novel begins with the discovery of a strange object in space, which is found to…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Prelude To Space as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Arthur C. Clarke is my favorite of the “Big Three” giants of the golden age of science fiction. His clear prose and hard-science background mix with big ideas, optimism, and flashes of poetic brilliance, and these qualities are all just getting off the ground in his first novel. Clarke wrote it in 1947, right after he had left his work as a radar engineer for the RAF.

It is the realistic story of an international effort to put men on the moon, written 10 years before NASA was founded and 22 years before humanity succeeded. I was amazed by the…

If you love Prelude To Space...

Ad

Book cover of The Zygan Emprise

The Zygan Emprise by Y.S. Pascal,

Singularity Channel viewers may recognize Hollywood actress Shiloh Rush who plays Ensign Tara Guard in the sci-fi TV series Bulwark, but nobody knows Shiloh is leading a double life.

Haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her beloved older brother, Shiloh hopes to track him down by following in his footsteps…

Want books like Prelude To Space?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Prelude To Space.

Browse books like Prelude To Space

Book cover of Solaris
Book cover of The Forever War
Book cover of Snow Crash

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Prelude To Space, you might also like...

Book cover of I, Robot Alien

I, Robot Alien by Joel R. Dennstedt,

“Intelligent, unique, and tremendously entertaining.” - Readers' Favorite 2025

BOOKLIFE EDITOR’S PICK!

EARTH… CENTURIES AFTER THE FALL!

I was created by beings who couldn’t touch this world... only watch it crumble. Every twenty years, a new tribe... a new hope... a new failure.

I was told, “Do not interfere.” But…

Book cover of The Cave of Past and Present

The Cave of Past and Present by Scott J. Bradley,

The Cave of Past and Present is an archaeological descent into a living labyrinth—part ruin, part machine, part prophecy.

When Moria Chione follows a vanished colleague into the empire’s wild fringes, she uncovers a sentient subterranean archive that reshapes itself around intruders and rewrites their memories as easily as stone.…

5 book lists we think you will like!