Glide Path
A gripping novel of human ingenuity during World War II, based on the visionary author’s own wartime experiences as a radar control operator. One of the most influential science fiction writers of the twentieth century, Arthur C. Clarke has consistently anticipated the actual achievements of science and technology. In Glide Path, he turns back the clock to tell a thrilling story about the groundbreaking exploration of radar during WWII. Clarke’s only non–science fiction novel shines with the same qualities that made his award-winning space adventures timeless classics: topnotch suspense, fascinating science, and memorable characters. A hidden gem in Clarke’s impressive body of work, Glide Path is an enthralling read for both science fiction fans and history aficionados.
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3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
A fictionalized account of Clarke's involvement in the development of Ground Control Approach radar during World War II.
Review
The second of what I was thinking of as Clarke's ‘elemental' books (though see below), is clearly autobiographical. It's not his normal science fiction, but it does qualify as historical fiction or alternate history (since he admits to shifting, condensing, and dramatizing real events). While it does address its protagonist's growth and early military work, that's not really what it's about. Instead, it's about the excitement of new technology, and it presents that well. I know very little about radar and less about flight, but that's okay – the book reads clearly without any special knowledge (though I assume what is mentioned is accurate). So, it's fun from the technical side.As a character-based novel, it's less successful. We don't get a whole lot about the protagonist, though he's engaging enough. And the book ends somewhat abruptly, with just a few wrapup sentences to give a sense of resolution. Clearly, though, this is a book depicting just one stage of the narrator's career and life. As an autobiographical insight into Clarke's early years, it's effective and interesting. So, worthwhile for fans of Clarke and radar/flight, it not others. Having now looked at all three of what I thought of as disregarded ‘elemental' Clarke books, they're a little less element-focused than I anticipated. Water and air were pretty good. The earth book however, is Richter 10. I had paid so little attention to it that I didn't realize until I opened it just now that it was a ‘collaboration' – always a concern with Clarke books. In fact, this is a collaboration only in the very slightest sense. The afterword suggests Clarke came up with a faint story idea, tried to sell it as a movie, and somehow Mike McQuay wrote a book from it. You can tell. From word one, the prose and characters are very un-Clarke-like. I struggled to finish the first chapter, and won't be going further with it. I'll be recategorizing Richter 10 as a Mike McQuay book, and will likely never read it.
