The Fountains of Paradise by Arthur C. Clarke is $1.99 at Amazon.
Clarke's books go on sale fairly often and I grab them when the price drops. I don't have this one yet, so it's been a while since it was on sale last (or I missed it).
Quote:
Renowned structural engineer Dr. Vannevar Morgan seeks to link Earth to the stars by constructing a space elevator that will connect to an orbiting satellite 22,300 miles from the planet’s surface. The elevator would lift interstellar spaceships into orbit without the need of rockets to blast through the Earth’s atmosphere—making space travel easier and more cost-effective.
Unfortunately, the only appropriate surface base for the elevator is located at the top of a mountain already occupied by an ancient order of Buddhist monks who strongly oppose the project. Morgan must face down their opposition—as well as enormous technical, political, and economic challenges—if he is to create his beanstalk to the heavens.
An epic novel of daring dreams spanning twenty decades, this award-winning drama combines believable science with heart-stopping suspense.
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