THE RAMA BAR
The Rama Bar
Actually, look round you realize that there are three bars - and furthermore the bartenders each have three arms. One to hold the glass, one to pour the drink, and one to take your money!
This is a homage to Arthur C Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama, in which a giant metallic cylinder which is named Rama approaches our Solar System at a tremendous velocity. An expedition sent to explore finds that it contains a self-sufficient habitat and artifical ecology... but there's no life left on board. One of the discoveries they make is that the builders of the artifact seem to count in threes and do everything in threes - hence the three-armed barman on StarBase1!
It is a novel of exploration and discovery, with a real sense of wonder as the expedition uncovers the secrets of the alien habitat. An absolute classic; certainly one of Clark's best novel.
Given the preoccupation with threes, it's no surprise that two more Rama artifacts appear over time, and once again Earth sends out an expedition to explore. These events are covered in sequels - not two, but three! - that are not nearly as good as the first book, and I don't really recommend them, although they did sell extremely well All three are co-authored with Gentry Lee:
For details of more books by Arthur C Clarke, see the details for The Monolith.
