The classic science fiction novel that changed the way we looked at the stars and ourselves. From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of Saturn as man ventures to the outer rim of our solar system, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a journey unlike any other. This allegory about humanity's exploration of the universe and the universe's reaction to humanity was the basis for director Stanley Kubrick's immortal film, and lives on as a landmark achievement in storytelling. -- From the author.

Introduction to the millennial editon -- Foreword -- Part one : Primeval night. The road to extinction -- The new rock -- Academy -- The leopard -- Encounter in the dawn -- Ascent of man -- Part two : TMA-1. Special flight -- Orbital rendezvous -- Moon shuttle -- Clavius base -- Anomaly -- Journey by earthlight -- The slow dawn -- The listeners -- Part three : Between planets. Discovery -- Hal -- Cruise mode -- Through the asteroids -- Transit of Jupiter -- The world of the gods -- Part four : Abyss. Birthday party -- Excursion -- Diagnosis -- Broken circuit -- First man to Saturn -- Dialogue with Hal -- Need to know -- In vacuum -- Alone -- The secret -- Part five : The moons of Saturn. Survival -- Concerning E.T.'s -- Ambassador -- The orbiting ice -- The eye of Japetus -- Big brother -- Experiment -- The sentinel -- Into the eye -- Exit -- Part six : Through the star gate. Grand central -- The alien sky -- Inferno -- Reception -- Recapitulation -- Transformation -- Star child -- Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008)