The conclusion of the classic series that began with 2001: A Space Odyssey explains what really happened to Dave Bowman, who reentered the Discovery to incapacitate the psychotic computer Hal, and speculates about the future relationship between human and machine. 300,000 first printing. The conclusion of the series that began with 2001: A Space Odyssey explains what really happened to Dave Bowman, who reentered the Discovery to incapacitate the psychotic computer Hal, and speculates about the future relationship between human and machine It began four million years ago with a gleaming black monolith - an inexplicable apparition that ignited the spark of human consciousness transforming ape into man.