This is a very strong short story collection by Arthur C. Clarke with a mix of stories taken from various English-language collections. After reading a few short story collections with stories by other writers, it is surprising just how good Clarke's writing is (although, he is one of the Big Three of science fiction writing for a reason). I can't put my finger on the reason, but his stories are just stronger than those I read just before. Stories that stuck by me from this collection were about a race with space ships with solar sails, the rescue mission of aliens who want to rescue us from the sun, and one where utopia turns out to be the dreaming of pleasant dreams. A very good collection, five out of five stars. ( )