Sounds like a good debate for another thread sir. I suggest Cites at Dawn, I choose **Silenus ** for my Second. 
Wow, same here. A Fall of Moondust was the first SF book I read (well, either it or Heinlein’s A Door Into Summer, I got them both at the same time). I used to visualize them both as movies in my head. I just re-read ADIS but I haven’t read AFOM for a couple of decades. I need to do that.
sorry to hijack
When I read the unabridged collection of Bradbury’s short fiction I was surprised by the fact that most of it didn’t even come close to being science fiction. And what was science fiction is the softest of science fiction. I love him as an author but I don’t see him grouped with Asimov, Heinlein and Clarke. Actually I see him more like Vonnegut. An author that uses science fiction elements when it suits him.
I shall endeavor to serve with honor. Exapno, who do you chose to represent you?
Good luck, on your journey to Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite…
Good Og, I’d forgotten all about “Childhood’s End”. What a monumental work. I saw “2001” when it first came out. It was in a Cinerama theater (with the wraparound screen) in Hollywood, and I remember being in awe of the special effects and nearly falling out of my chair during the flight in the pod through the universe.
How about this guy at Salon.com? 
Farewell Mr. Clarke. You had some very large, very strange ideas.
Why are people in this thread referring to Ray Bradbury in the past tense?
I shall call on him on the morrow.
(I should mention that I have the greatest respect and admiration for Bradbury. I have a number of autographed volumes of his work, and have had lunch with him on occasion. A true gentleman and amazing writer. Even though, like the other mentioned, he has gotten a bit…potty in his dotage.)
As the challenged party, you will have coice of weapons. May I suggest First Editions at 5 paces?
Aw man. It’s hardly a surprise and it’s not like he died before his time, but what a loss to the world. Him, Asimov, and Heinlein - and those influenced by them, of course - were defining forces of my childhood. And talk about leaving tremendous shoes to fill.
Rest in peace, Mr. Clark. You’ll be sorely missed.
I read his stuff, along with Heinlein’s, Asimov’s, and many others, when I was little, and I think that of the three he had the most thought-provoking short stories that I encountered. This just … amazingly sucks. Sorry, I’ve got a little something in my eye. Er, both eyes.
He was brilliant right until the end. We should all be so lucky.
Damn, this sucks.
Rest In Peace, may you find out that little which your keen mind could not discover here on our world.
Thank you for the magic and wonder of your science.
F 451 the first Sci-Fi book I ever read.
Tales From the White Hart, the book that taught me that Sci-fi cold be fun.
I will be drinking at the White Hart tonight. I may have to fie up the Fenton Silencer.
RIP AC, you were one of the best.
I think Clarke was a category all to himself. IMO neither Asimov or Heinlein were in his league. The latter two wrote stories about people with science and technology as as props – Clarke wrote about interactions of humans and technology that created these wonderful environments. He made me believe the world could turn into something better, and think about how great it would be to live in his imagined future.
Of course I’ve grown much more cynical since, but he made my youth a far more enjoyable place than it would have been without him.
Words escape me.
Damn. He was the first SF author I ever read, back when I was a kid: I still have fond memories of Dolphin Island. A mighty talent, and a sad loss.
While I’ve never read it, I’ve often thought that “The Nine Billion Names of God” is the best title I’ve ever heard.
I love the Rama books. The end of Rama Revealed is the only time I’ve ever cried when reading a book. RIP.
Overheard, without any fuss, one of the stars went out. Goodnight, Mr. Clarke. Thank you for 2001.