<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

3001: The Final Odyssey
Author	Arthur C. Clarke
Publisher	Ballantine Books
Publication Date	1997
Country	United Kingdom
Genre(s)	Science Fiction
ISBN	ISBN 0-345-31522-7
Related	2001: A Space Odyssey 2010: Odyssey Two 2061: Odyssey Three

3001: The Final Odyssey is the fourth and final novel in Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey series. The novel centers on astronaut, Frank Poole, who is revived after drifting in space for a millennium. The 21st century astronaut explores the many wonders of 0th century Earth.

Plot

Frank Poole is discovered floating in space and is returned to Earth orbit where he is reawakened and learns a thousand years have passed since HAL's malfunction led to his death. Now, something of a national treasure, he discovers that his years of space prevent him from ever returning to Earth's surface. Fortunately Star City, an as yet incomplete ring around the planet, reachable by space elevator and equipped with inertial dampening technology, proves enough of a wonder to keep him occupied. After being fitted with a braincap and absorbing years of history he has missed, Poole decides to visit Ganymede.

After several months on Ganymede, Poole decides to chance a visit to Europa hoping the monolith which has merged with Hal and Dave Bowman, will recognize their connection and permit him to land. His presumption proves correct and Bowman gives him some insight into the origin and workings of the monoliths which have no true consciousness. After returning to Earth orbit, Poole raises a family. Several years later, he receives a message from Bowman revealing that the Monolith has received a response from its message sent over half a millennium ago to its superior. A decision has been made regarding humanity which now faces a fate similar to one witnessed in a distant system, complete annihilation.

Bowman has chosen to give them warning and now they must find a way to stop the monolith from completing its task. Humanity must now turn to the evils they once buried, deadly and incurable computer viruses buried along with their organic counterparts in a lunar vault. A virus is assembled along with storage systems that will allow Hal and Bowman to survive. The package is delivered to Europa where it appears somewhat successful but Hal and Bowman cannot download. The monolith and its counterparts on the moon and in Africa disappear from the Solar System.