Rating: 
Summary: Way ahead of its time...
Review: Two rogue planets are hurtling toward Earth. One will collide with Earth, destroying the planet and destroying mankind. The second will be caught in Earth's orbit. It will be the end of humanity... or will it? A scientist believes there is a chance of survival, if they can get on to the second planet. Problem is, it's only 1930. Nuclear power is an unharnessed, fledging entity and no space shuttle has ever been built. A shuttle called the "Arc" is constructed, but there is only room for 100 people. Can a second "Arc" be constructed in time? Will the Arc withstand the brutal elements of space travel and make it to the second planet, Bronson Beta? There is never a dull moment in either of the books that make up this sci-fi classic... I loved it because it was so realistic, unlike most science fiction. Wylie and Balmer leave the readers wondering if a situation like this should happen to us, would we survive??
Rating: 
Summary: Apocalyptic science fiction from the 1930s
Review: Two rogue planets, one the satellite of the other, are heading directly toward the earth. The scientists who make this horrifying discovery have a plan to save a small remnant of humanity. The story is engaging enough that I was content to suspend my disbelief at the implausibility of the disaster and especially of the opportunity for survival. Much of the entertainment value of the book is in its being old: news of the impending disaster is spread by newspaper; atomic power is being hastily developed; the sexual attraction between two main characters is expressed only in passionate kisses. There's plenty of apocalyptic fiction I'd recommend over this (e.g., "Earth Abides," "The Stand," "Alas, Babylon"), but "When Worlds Collide" is entertaining enough for a rainy Saturday. It has a sequel, "After Worlds Collide," which I haven't read.
| 
