THE COMPLETE ROBOT is the definitive anthology of Asimov's stunning visions of a robotic future In these stories, Isaac Asimov creates the Three Laws of Robotics and ushers in the Robot Age: when Earth is ruled by master-machines and when robots are more human than mankind. As well as TN-3 (Tony), AL-76 and other robots, the stories feature the staff of US Robots and Mech THE COMPLETE ROBOT is the definitive anthology of Asimov's stunning visions of a robotic future In these stories, Isaac Asimov creates the Three Laws of Robotics and ushers in the Robot Age: when Earth is ruled by master-machines and when robots are more human than mankind. As well as TN-3 (Tony), AL-76 and other robots, the stories feature the staff of US Robots and Mechanical Men Inc., and in particular the chief robot-psychologist, the steely Dr Susan Calvin who is in many ways more robot-like than her subjects.

1. Isaac Asimov Quiz
2. Isaac Asimov Predictions

THE COMPLETE ROBOT is the ultimate collection of timeless, amazing and amusing robot stories from the greatest science fiction writer of all time, offering golden insights into robot thought processes. Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics were programmed into real computers thirty years ago at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - with surprising results. Readers of today still have many surprises in store. This is from the preface of Prelude to Foundation (1988): The Complete Robot (1982). This is a collection of thirty-one robot short stories published This is from the preface of Prelude to Foundation (1988): The Complete Robot (1982).

This is a collection of thirty-one robot short stories published between 1940 and 1976 and includes every story in my earlier collection I, Robot (1950). Only one robot short story has been written since this collection appeared.

That is 'Robot Dreams,' which has not yet appeared in any Doubleday collection. Strong Opinions: a Susan Calvin story Weems landed his helijet neatly, and congratulated himself on his early start. When he managed to get the coveted parking spot closest to the front gate of U.S. Robots, he always felt that the rest of the day would be a success too. He flashed his badge at the security guard, and took the fast pediwalk to his office.

Now he would get half an hour to work undisturbed! But he had barely hung up his hat before the visiphone buzzed. 'I'm sorry, sir,' said his secr Strong Opinions: a Susan Calvin story Weems landed his helijet neatly, and congratulated himself on his early start. When he managed to get the coveted parking spot closest to the front gate of U.S. Robots, he always felt that the rest of the day would be a success too. He flashed his badge at the security guard, and took the fast pediwalk to his office.

Now he would get half an hour to work undisturbed! But he had barely hung up his hat before the visiphone buzzed.

'I'm sorry, sir,' said his secretary, 'but it's a Mr. Plot-Device from Clunky Exposition Weekly. He wants to interview you about your new project. Claims he has a press deadline.' The rest of this review is available elsewhere (the location cannot be given for Goodreads policy reasons). This one took some time.

Not because it was hard to read, or because it was bad. I was actually saving it. I didn't enjoy binge reading the short stories. They went too fast.

I ended up reading one or two between each other book I read. I read one and sort of ruminated on it for a while. It was the way I could enjoy the stories the most, I figured. I enjoyed the various stories differently. Sometimes the puzzle/conflict it presented was the part I enjoyed the most, sometimes the way the characters This one took some time.

Not because it was hard to read, or because it was bad. I was actually saving it. I didn't enjoy binge reading the short stories. They went too fast.

I ended up reading one or two between each other book I read. I read one and sort of ruminated on it for a while. It was the way I could enjoy the stories the most, I figured.

I enjoyed the various stories differently. Sometimes the puzzle/conflict it presented was the part I enjoyed the most, sometimes the way the characters interacted with each other and the robots was the best part, sometimes it was the way some of the thought provoking endings made me think back on them for days.

I didn't feel the book was too dated. The lack of computers showed sometimes, but I feel that the robots and general technology most of the time was there to support a plot or conflict inherently human. The Robot was not the issue, the way the humans dealt with it was.

And that was what made the stories so good. I feel going through almost forty stories is rather silly so, suffice to say that there are a lot of great stories in the book. A bunch of excellent ones too. And several good ones. There was not a single bad one, in my opinion.

Accommodating to Goodreads rate system, there were a myriad of five, four and three stars stories. I was ready to give a round four star rating to the collection as a whole. Then I read the last story.

The Bicentennial Man. Conforming to Goodreads rate system, that one warrants some seven stars. That messed the average a bit. Just finished reading The Complete Robot by Isaac Asimov, if you all haven’t read it you should do so. It contains all the stories from I, Robot as well, not the Will Smith paff though, it is completely different. Here is a run down of the stories. A Boy's Best Friend:- A boy and his dog on the moon but the dog is a robot, what happened when his parents want to give him a real dog and what makes you love something?

Sally:- Only cars that have positronic brains are allowed on the highways and when th Just finished reading The Complete Robot by Isaac Asimov, if you all haven’t read it you should do so. It contains all the stories from I, Robot as well, not the Will Smith paff though, it is completely different. Here is a run down of the stories. A Boy's Best Friend:- A boy and his dog on the moon but the dog is a robot, what happened when his parents want to give him a real dog and what makes you love something? Sally:- Only cars that have positronic brains are allowed on the highways and when they are retired where do they go?

This is a story about a man who loves cars and owns a Car farm where cars live out their retirement. Someday:- A Bard is an electronic device that tells children stories using a massive file of plots and twists. What happens when a toy is no longer appreciated, how does it feel? Point of View:- A short story about how children, their parents and the Multivac all think differently.

I feel this is one of the weakest stories in the book. Think!:- Interesting story about computers and telepathy; has some interesting thoughts and twists but again is not that gripping. True Love:- Now this one was good, if you program a computer to think and feel like you what will it do? The main character is looking for a girlfriend and uses the main computer to look for her based on his likes and dislikes that soon become the computers too. Robot AL-76 Goes Astray:- Another good one about a robot that gets misplaced in rural Virginia where everyone is terrified of it, what can it do and how does it feel when it thinks it is already on the Moon?

A very funny story which had me laughing at many points, this is very much like the plot of the movie Short Circuit in a way. Victory Unintentional:- The best story in my opinion which had me rolling on the floor.

I kept picturing the Jovian’s as Man Utd fans, if you read it you will understand what I mean. Stranger in Paradise:- One of the more human focused stories here, more about two brothers in a Society were brothers are not common. It seems in the future that there is no marriage and people just meet to have babies then go their separate ways. Having two people from the same parents in an unknown factor and it affects the characters as they together try to create a robot to survive on Mercury. Light Verse:- Is okay it is about a rich older lady who loves her robots and light sculptures and she is famous for her light sculptures until a horrible thing happens to one of her robots. Segregationist:- Another bland one here devoted to the exploration of any racism when dealing with robots and how close we are becoming physically and anatomically.

Let's Get Together:- An interesting one from when Cold War paranoia was at its height. What happens when your enemy is better at making robots than you and to what lengths will they go to win a war? Well anyway it is a quick read due to the fact that it is a bunch of short stories so you can power through them easily. Give it a try you won’t be disappointed at all. I thank Asimov, for bringing me out of a mess which he undoubtedly would have no idea about. It goes like this, I had within me something that approached 'Reader's block', I could not complete a book in almost over a month now. I tried Woolf's 'Orlando' which became words and finally letters to me which made no sense, I tried Richard Dawkins's 'The greatest show.'

And my brain short circuited ( for no fault of Dawkin's I may add here, a most interesting piece of work that.). In desperation I t I thank Asimov, for bringing me out of a mess which he undoubtedly would have no idea about. It goes like this, I had within me something that approached 'Reader's block', I could not complete a book in almost over a month now. I tried Woolf's 'Orlando' which became words and finally letters to me which made no sense, I tried Richard Dawkins's 'The greatest show.' And my brain short circuited ( for no fault of Dawkin's I may add here, a most interesting piece of work that.). In desperation I turned to the one genre I had shied away from: Sci Fi.and.NIRVANA.I managed to lap all the tales that Asimov created on the mosaic of Robotics.

I particularly liked the order in which the tales were structured which portrays evolution. From Robots that were merely objects to animals and finally to androids, the tales are beautifully crafted. I join the mainstream to cheer for the Ice Lady Susan Calvin, who stands out as quite a unique protagonist. Most of the heroes in Sci Fi I have known totted guns,spewed expletives and went around offering mind-boggling explanations that others raised eyebrows.

Here was a lady who worked with robots for so long that as Asimov puts it ' has some steel seep into her blood as well'. By far the most profound of all works in the book was Bi-Centennial man which to put it simply was the tale with soul. Wherein all of humanity might have at one point of time or the other have wished for immortality, here was a machine that wished for a mortal life for a desire to be referred as 'man'. I can't but marvel at the visionary that Asimov is. A remarkable collection of tales.Highly Recommended. One of my favorite lines from the Bi-Centennial Man: ' It has been said in this courtroom that only a human being can be free.It seems to me that only someone who wishes for freedom can be free.I wish for freedom '.

I've always liked Asimov's work - one of my favourites has always been the expanded version of one of the short stories in this volume, The Positronic Man - and so this was a nice familiar read for me. I've read some of the stories, while some were less familiar, but it is a bit like comfort eating: with Asimov, I know exactly what I'm getting. It'd be a bit much to start here with Asimov, I think, and read all the short stories start to finish.

I'd pick a smaller collection, rather than a col I've always liked Asimov's work - one of my favourites has always been the expanded version of one of the short stories in this volume, The Positronic Man - and so this was a nice familiar read for me. I've read some of the stories, while some were less familiar, but it is a bit like comfort eating: with Asimov, I know exactly what I'm getting. It'd be a bit much to start here with Asimov, I think, and read all the short stories start to finish. I'd pick a smaller collection, rather than a collected one.

But if you're a fan of Asimov's robot stories, then this is definitely worth picking up - there're some in here I wasn't really aware of. I think what's really great about these stories is that Asimov set up some rules, and then he bent them until they became almost meaningless within the constraints of the story. You can program a robot to never harm a human being, but if it decides you are not a human being, that rule no longer applies. Who is the judge of humanness? Or the stories where the hierarchy of rules fights against itself, with a robot trapped between compulsions. I love the way Asimov explored that. He didn't just come up with a clever idea and then write robots you could sympathise with all the way; he liked stories that sympathised with robots, and he also saw how our society would really react to robots, and he got to work and told us stories that fit with what he saw.

I find it hard to talk about character or anything in Asimov's stories, about not portraying women properly, etc, because I don't think he portrays anything truly except robots. That's what he was interested in, and that's what he achieved. I can understand not liking them for that reason, but to me as a reader, it's irrelevant. (I, Robot, is the first collection of short stories. Second is The Rest of the Robots. Robot Dreams only has one new story in it.

The Complete Robot is reported to be truly complete.) Ok, the edition I read has 31 stories. Doubleday/ Nightfall, 1982. Stories originally from 1939 to 1977. Perhaps all editions the same, I dunno, but there you are. It also has a nice concise introduction about Robot-as-Menace and Robot-as-Pathos and related thoughts, and is organized by theme or (slice of) world-bui (I, Robot, is the first collection of short stories.

Second is The Rest of the Robots. Robot Dreams only has one new story in it.

The Complete Robot is reported to be truly complete.) Ok, the edition I read has 31 stories. Doubleday/ Nightfall, 1982.

Stories originally from 1939 to 1977. Perhaps all editions the same, I dunno, but there you are. It also has a nice concise introduction about Robot-as-Menace and Robot-as-Pathos and related thoughts, and is organized by theme or (slice of) world-built, with intros to each section, and even a Last Word, all by the author. Wonderful presentation of stories that I still enjoy after all these years, after reading them when young, finding some anthologized elsewhere, rereading, etc. Still thought-provoking, and entertaining, and sometimes downright moving.

Asimov had the smarts to close with, a brilliant tear-jerker that moved me, and impressed me, even more this time than the others that I read it. If you're an SF fan and have not read that, you must. (It's not long, just is usually found in collections). This read, though, I think my favorite is Feminine Intuition. I really enjoyed being able to read all the Susan Calvin stories and that one is a good 'snap' to let the dear lady finally retire. If your spec.

Isaac Asimov Quiz

Book club ever wants to read a collection of short stories, you-all should choose this. Lots to discuss. Not just tech, but character motivations, meaning-of-life, future of men's fashion, etc. I could easily stand to read this yet again in a decade or so. All stories grip you, and some of the stories are absolutely brilliant and leave a large amount of after thought. Of the ones I enjoyed most are - 1.

Victory Unintentional - Hilarious, hope he had written more such humorous stories! Robbie - One of the masterpieces that get you acquainted with an Asimov robot. Someday - Nice ending. Galley Slave - One academic author, who due to his initial hatred and inability to understand robots, and ignorance, uses a robot incorrectly resulting in a vers All stories grip you, and some of the stories are absolutely brilliant and leave a large amount of after thought. Of the ones I enjoyed most are - 1. Victory Unintentional - Hilarious, hope he had written more such humorous stories!

Robbie - One of the masterpieces that get you acquainted with an Asimov robot. Someday - Nice ending. Galley Slave - One academic author, who due to his initial hatred and inability to understand robots, and ignorance, uses a robot incorrectly resulting in a version of his work being published with absurd modifications, fights for his reputation. Bicentennial Man - The story, having rid of romantic subplot shown in the movie, is even more fast paced and drives equal (or probably even more) emotional response.

This one is a must read! Some Nonhuman Robots A Boys best friend - 3.5 Sally - 2.5 Someday - 3.5 Some Immobile Robots Point of view - 2.5 Think! - 3 True Love - 4 Some Metallic Robots Victory Unintentional - 3.5 Stranger In Paradise - 2.5 Light Verse - 3.5 Segregationist - 5 Robbie - 3. Some Humanoid Robots Let's Get Together - 3 Mirror Image - 3 The Tercentenary Incident - 4 Powell and Donovan First Law - 2 Runaround - 2.5. Reason - 4. Catch That Rabbit! - 3.

Susan Calvin Liar! - 4. Satisfaction Guaranteed - 4 Lenny - 4.5 Gall Some Nonhuman Robots A Boys best friend - 3.5 Sally - 2.5 Someday - 3.5 Some Immobile Robots Point of view - 2.5 Think! - 3 True Love - 4 Some Metallic Robots Victory Unintentional - 3.5 Stranger In Paradise - 2.5 Light Verse - 3.5 Segregationist - 5 Robbie - 3. Some Humanoid Robots Let's Get Together - 3 Mirror Image - 3 The Tercentenary Incident - 4 Powell and Donovan First Law - 2 Runaround - 2.5. Reason - 4.

Catch That Rabbit! - 3. Susan Calvin Liar! - 4. Satisfaction Guaranteed - 4 Lenny - 4.5 Galley Slave - 4.5 Little Lost Robot - 3.5. Risk - 3 Escape!

- 2.5. Evidence - 4. The Evitable Conflict - 2. The Female Intuition - 3.5 Two Climaxes Thou Art Mindful Of Him - 4 The Bicentennial Man - 3.5. Collected in I Robot This has been sat on my shelf for a while.

There's something about an author you're not fond of and a 700 page book that's just not that inviting. However, I Robot was announced as a group read and, seeing as The Complete Robot contained all of the same stories (minus the Dr. Calvin interviews), I figured what better time to pick it up? I found it a real slog to start with. There's no refuting Asimov's ideas and what he brought to the genre, but I have often found him to be a pretty poor storyteller, particularly when it comes to endings; and this struck mostly true for the first half of the collection, making it a real trial to wade through. There were exceptions of course, as can be gathered from my rating of each story (above), and my enjoyment definitely reached a high when I came to the Susan Calvin stories.

Not just because I found her a great character, but because it was at that point that the book became much more than just a collection of short stories. There was a bigger picture, an overarching story detailing the evolution of robotics and it's gradual acceptance by humanity. The stories were pretty much chronological with recurring characters and this made it a greater joy to read the good stories, and less of a chore in reading the weaker ones. In fact, despite its inconsistency, I feel that reading this collection has birthed in me a stronger desire to read Asimov (but not too much). I'll certainly be proceeding with the 'Robot' series. When I get around to it. Almost one-stop shopping for all your robots-by-Asimov needs.

Most, but not all, of Asimov's robot and robot-like stories are included here, including all of the stories from. I wouldn't suggest reading this instead, of course, because you're missing all of the wonderful bridging narration. Even having already read I, Robot, and, I still found plenty of stories that were new to me. Exciting, for me, and it made reading the book more than worthwhile.

I loved i Almost one-stop shopping for all your robots-by-Asimov needs. Most, but not all, of Asimov's robot and robot-like stories are included here, including all of the stories from. I wouldn't suggest reading this instead, of course, because you're missing all of the wonderful bridging narration. Even having already read I, Robot, and, I still found plenty of stories that were new to me. Exciting, for me, and it made reading the book more than worthwhile. I loved it, but I would really only recommend it to readers who are completely addicted to Asimov's robots, enough so that they want to read everything. It's too big of a chunk to be an entry into that world.

But if you have read and loved the robot books, this is a natural next step. This includes I, Robot as well as a bunch of other robot stories. All in all it's an enjoyable collection. Does it add much to the experience of reading I, Robot? The other stories are much the same thing in many cases and quite different in others.

It's a bit jumpier in flow since it's a heavy collection, but there are some gems included here that really stood out: 'The Tercentenary Incident', 'Victory Unintentional', and 'The Bicentennial Man'. Aside from that last story, it doesn't This includes I, Robot as well as a bunch of other robot stories. All in all it's an enjoyable collection. Does it add much to the experience of reading I, Robot?

The other stories are much the same thing in many cases and quite different in others. It's a bit jumpier in flow since it's a heavy collection, but there are some gems included here that really stood out: 'The Tercentenary Incident', 'Victory Unintentional', and 'The Bicentennial Man'.

Aside from that last story, it doesn't add a whole lot to the robot experience, but it does contain some fun stuff. Also included is 'Mirror Image,' a story about R. Daneel Olivaw and Elijah Baley, of the Robot novels series.

While I did enjoy reading this, I gave it one less star than I, Robot for two reasons. It no longer had the 'Mind and Iron' binding narrative that made I, Robot flow smoothly from story to story. Also, by the end of the book I was honestly tired of robots. My dad just discovered Prelude To Foundation, and was excited to discover that Asimov had written books in the series beyond the original trilogy. I had recently become aware of this as well, but also found many books in the series written by other authors. Because publication date does no correspond with storyline date, I felt overwhelmed. But the into to Prelude includes Asimov's list of the order in which he feels his 14 robot, Empire and Foundation books should be read.

The list only lacks F My dad just discovered Prelude To Foundation, and was excited to discover that Asimov had written books in the series beyond the original trilogy. I had recently become aware of this as well, but also found many books in the series written by other authors. Because publication date does no correspond with storyline date, I felt overwhelmed.

But the into to Prelude includes Asimov's list of the order in which he feels his 14 robot, Empire and Foundation books should be read. The list only lacks Forward The Foundation, which came out after Prelude. So now I'm on an Asimov quest, to read the entire list of 15 books in order. My friends all know how much I love a series, after all. I've only read the stories in I, Robot (recently) and the original Foundation Trilogy (many times but not recently at all) before, so this should be fun, familiar enough to slip into the mindset easily but still lots of new ideas to discover. Wish me luck! So on to this book, which Asimov considers to be the first on his list.

As it's a book of short stories, I wrote brief reviews as I went along. Sorry it got so long. Don't worry, the rest of the books are novels or 2-3 stories only. Here goes: Boy's Best Friend (1975) - exactly how I feel about my dogs; it's about loving, not being loved. Sally (1953) - do we have the right to create and control?

Someday (1956) - Life before computers was, 'just plain messy.' (1977) - I wonder if Anne McCaffrey got the EEG idea in To Ride Pegasus from this. Also if Heinlein named Mike after some of Asimov's computers. True Love (1977) - Asimov invented a lot of ideas. The first Match.com! Robot AL-76 Goes Astray (1942) - 'jumpin' tooting' blazes, no!' 'he'd be hornswogled' The guy had to wait hours to view his completed negatives, an then make prints.

Pretty soon no one will know what negatives are. Just plain good storytelling.

Victory Unintentional (1942) - lots of interesting chemistry and good story. Stranger in Paradise (1974) - autism in 1974, interesting how little was known Light Verse (1973) - individuality = art Segregationist (1967) - doc who cares is going against the tide. Robbie (1940) - includes another Cinderella story. 'Scientific witchery.'

First view of Calvin? Let's Get Together (1957) - Fear causing advancement in science and decency. Predicts NYC as a target. Fear = control. Mirror Images (1972) - sequel to Caves and Naked, read after reading the novels. The Tercentenary Incident (1976) - a bit predictable now, but maybe not when it was written.

First Law (1956) - written as a spoof Runaround (1942) - the one about Speedy, a fun exploration of The 3 Rules Reason (1941) - A creepy examination of some real world scary people told using robots. 'Since when is the evidence of our senses any match for the clear light of rigid reason?' Catch That Rabbit (1944) - more laws application Liar! (1941) - his 3rd robot story, features Calvin. Satisfaction Guaranteed (1951) - Calvin.

Ah, foolish hearts. Takes place in the '90s again, boy are we behind his vision! Lenny (1958) - all of the stories with data entry show physical means of entry, either perforated tape as in this story or some sort of symbols pressed into paper or plastic. No idea yet of electronic means of communication with computers. Galley Slave (1957) - science vs. Little Lost Robot (1947) - Calvin. I can just see Sonny in the I, Robot movie starring Will Smith, ducking in and out of rows of robots.

It's amazing how the movie took isolated ideas from the stories to make one complete tale. Risk (1955) - Calvin. The stories at this point relate more, building on one another and have continuing characters. (1945) - Calvin. 'And then - U.S.

Robots has interstellar travel, and humanity has the opportunity for galactic empire.' Caught my eye since I'm looking forward to the Empire series after the robot books. Laying the seeds in story and in his mind? Evidence (1946) - Calvin. 'You just can't differentiate between a robot and the very best of humans.' A classic Asimov robot story, read this if you only read one.

The Evitable Conflict (1950) - Calvin. Yeast as basic food source. I've read it many times but it caught my eye now that my vet has recommended nutritional yeast as a supplement for my dogs. Feminine Intuition (1969) - Calvin. Unpredictable = feminine in popular culture. Intuition = feminine as well. Classic Calvin line: 'Begin at the beginning and don't worry a bit about revealing yourself tobe a fool.

Isaac Asimov Predictions

That was revealed to me long ago.' That Thou Art Mindful of Him (1974) - threatening robot story, creepy again. Calvin considered greatest roboticist ever, not just robopsychologist. Bicentennial Man (1976) - Asimov's favorite robot story. Does death make us equal?

My first Asimov book and I loved it, from the first till the last story included. His is still waiting to be read, but as I saw this collection of short stories, I decided to tackle these first.

'The Complete Robot' is said to contain all of his robot stories that were published previously in other compilations or magazines, and a few other ones that didn't make it into those earlier compilations. Everything is neatly explained in the foreword (and the different introductions t My first Asimov book and I loved it, from the first till the last story included. His is still waiting to be read, but as I saw this collection of short stories, I decided to tackle these first. 'The Complete Robot' is said to contain all of his robot stories that were published previously in other compilations or magazines, and a few other ones that didn't make it into those earlier compilations.

Everything is neatly explained in the foreword (and the different introductions to each segment in this compilation) by Mr Asimov himself, topped with a pinch of humour, which I didn't know he had. The various stories were put together according by theme: Non-human Robots (3), Metallic Robots (3), Immobile Robots (6), Humanoid Robots (3), Powell and Donovan (4), Susan Calvin (10) (a robot-psychologist - or someone who likes robots more than humans), Two Climaxes (2).

Of course, the Three Laws of Robotics return throughout the book and are crucial in how robots work and interact with mankind: 1: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm; 2: A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; 3: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law; About law no. 2: Which human being? A robot must therefore be able to distinguish a child from an adult, a police agent from a bank clerk, etc. Asimov tried to show that robots can be used for various kinds of work and tasks, some more specialized than the others.

And that's how they are used today: assembly plants, computers, construction, in hospitals, self-driving cars (not fully trustworthy yet, of course), and elsewhere. We just don't always think about it or simply take it for granted. And then there's the eternal discussion about jobs: Will and do robots take away workers'/employees' jobs? With all those stories, Asimov offered a broad view on how robots are implemented in our lives, how they can be implemented and how they can become even human-like.

And there are human-like robots today, as demonstrated by a.o. Honda, or in hospitals or geriatric places, to help the elderly. Who doesn't remember the cartoon series ' and specifically Rosie, the household robot? She's also in this book, albeit in a different version. So is an alternative version of KITT, the car in ', in this case Sally. A few stories, one of them being 'The Tercentenary Incident', reminded me of current happenings: A president who has a robot double (why?), for example.

But the robot gets destroyed during the public event, after which the real president shows up quickly to reassure the public that he's fine. Reminded me, in a way, of the coup in Turkey, the army wanting to overthrow president Erdogan. In another story, 'The Bicentennial Man', Andrew the robot wants to be free, but is still subjected to the Three Laws, which allows for humans to abuse this and get him to do things which are harmful to himself, despite Andrew wanting to become a human being and going at great lengths to obtain his goal, even it means a quick death. But it also shows how humanity will always have a sly way to abuse others, robots or otherwise.

And how people aren't ready yet to fully accept robots as equals, unless perhaps in a certain animal shape. Or, if you want to go extreme: What if - but that's a what if many of us won't experience anymore, I think - robots become so free in thinking and communicating that they stand up against their makers? Although there's a bit of hard SF, Asimov's writing style is quite accessible here. If you haven't read any Asimov yet (or none of his robot stories), this is a fine book to start with, since it contains all of the robot stories, more than in the previous compilations.

This is also a fine work for those interested in the possible happenings in the future of robotics or how every day life could look many years from now. I read a lot of Asimov's robot short stories in my early teens, but never the novels and neither the Foundation books. Having discovered that the robot books are a prelude to Foundation I was intrigued to revisit. I have to say that as stories they're a mixed bag. The early ones are not very well written,but do introduce important concepts into the robots' evolutions - rather fable like in many ways.

I found the prose forced and the characters shallow, added to that the early robots were treated I read a lot of Asimov's robot short stories in my early teens, but never the novels and neither the Foundation books. Having discovered that the robot books are a prelude to Foundation I was intrigued to revisit. I have to say that as stories they're a mixed bag. The early ones are not very well written,but do introduce important concepts into the robots' evolutions - rather fable like in many ways. I found the prose forced and the characters shallow, added to that the early robots were treated in an apartheid manner - I'm not sure if this was intentional, or rather a sign if the times when they were written, but they make uncomfortable reading at times. Over time though, Asimov's writing skill improved and he had rounder characters to work with and by using them over several stories they began to take on lives of their own - Susan Calvin being the most notable, if not the most lovable.

In many ways, the whole book is setting the scene for the final story, The Bicentennial Man. This masterwork of the sci-fi genre surely stirs the emotion of tone that has read it, but takes on further poignancy in this context. It ties up the collection nicely drawing together the philosophical discussion from the preceding tales. Now onto The Caves of Steel! First published in 1982 and Asimov having written other robots stories after that, 'The Complete Robot' is, well, not so complete after all! A few short stories are indeed missing (e.g.

'Robot Dream'), a disappointing fact I for one wish the publisher would have addressed by now! Well, misleading title aside, here's nevertheless a remarkable anthology which is definitely a must-read. Indeed it will please both those curious enough to have a glimpse at Asimov's work (SF master who came up with th First published in 1982 and Asimov having written other robots stories after that, 'The Complete Robot' is, well, not so complete after all! A few short stories are indeed missing (e.g.

'Robot Dream'), a disappointing fact I for one wish the publisher would have addressed by now! Well, misleading title aside, here's nevertheless a remarkable anthology which is definitely a must-read. Indeed it will please both those curious enough to have a glimpse at Asimov's work (SF master who came up with the fictional Three Laws of Robotics -a term he also coined) and, all those who are already fans as I am (yesssss! Nearly all the stories with Susan Calvin are here!). Playing with the Three Laws of Robotics and their intricate dilemma, addressing the differences and their consequences between a human brain and robotic ('positronics') ones or, again, dealing with how humans might behave in an age of robots and machines, these stories are clever, funny, touching, charming and, if some can really be twisted, all intellectually and philosophically/ethically engaging. The fact they are ordered by categories depending mostly on the nature of the robots depicted ('immobile', 'metallic', 'humanoid' etc.) even add to make the whole a smooth read. Entertaining and intelligent, what more to ask?

3,5 The reason why I decided to read this book was that, some time ago I read two short stories by Asimov that I found tottaly amazing: The last question and the last answer. And so I wanted to read more.

However I didn't really find in this book what I had loved in those other short stories. What I loved about those stories ( and I think what makes any short story great ) was that in a few pages they managed to set up a unique universe, introduce a few good characters ( without going into too mu 3,5 The reason why I decided to read this book was that, some time ago I read two short stories by Asimov that I found tottaly amazing: The last question and the last answer. And so I wanted to read more. However I didn't really find in this book what I had loved in those other short stories.

What I loved about those stories ( and I think what makes any short story great ) was that in a few pages they managed to set up a unique universe, introduce a few good characters ( without going into too much details ), a mystery and finally in the last page make a huge unpredictable twist that would make you question all of what you had read before. And to me this is what short stories should be like since there isn't enough time to develop something too complex they must rely on this final twist. Unfortunately in most of the stories that contained this book I didn't find that part which made me like Asimov's short stories. I found myself waiting for an unpredictable ending that almost never came and so I was a little bit disapointed. Nevertheless those stories fit pefectly in Asimov's Robots universe and deal with some very interestiong subject especially with the problem of cohabitation between human and very intelligent robots.

Thus I feel like this would have made for a great novel if those stories had been put together but it turns out to be only an okay short story collecion ( according to my idea of what short stories should be). Three Laws of Robotics: 1.

A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. I've been reading Asimov since I was a young child. I'd read several of the stories in this collection before, but I still enjoyed re-reading Three Laws of Robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. I've been reading Asimov since I was a young child. I'd read several of the stories in this collection before, but I still enjoyed re-reading them.

Asimov based his 'Robot' stories on the notion that man has developed artificial intelligence to the point that robots are taking over more and more of the tasks of man. What makes these stories interesting (to me, at least)is that many of them are written from the robot's point of view; Their struggle for acceptance from fearful humanity, and their ways of dealing with (and sometimes bypassing) the 3 laws listed above which are hard-wired into each ones positronic brain. Good, fun read. I suppose I'd have to give this book a four-star rating. This is the third book of Asimov's robot stories that I've read (along with 'I, Robot' and 'Robot Dreams'). I'd have to honestly say that I liked 'Robot Dreams' better because it had great stories in it and the robot stories in that volume were intermingled with sensational non-robot sci-fi tales.

The reason why I'd still give this one a four-star rating is the sense of completeness that it offers fans of Asimov. Say you want to go and read I suppose I'd have to give this book a four-star rating. This is the third book of Asimov's robot stories that I've read (along with 'I, Robot' and 'Robot Dreams'). I'd have to honestly say that I liked 'Robot Dreams' better because it had great stories in it and the robot stories in that volume were intermingled with sensational non-robot sci-fi tales. The reason why I'd still give this one a four-star rating is the sense of completeness that it offers fans of Asimov. Say you want to go and read all of the stories involving immortal roboticist Susan Calvin. You can just flip to a section of this book and read them all.

An OCD fellow lik me really digs on that. The last story in the book, 'The Bicentennial Man', was probably my favorite and I can't wait to read 'The Positronic Man' which is a novel by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silverberg based on 'The Bicentennial Man'. If you're a fan of Asimov's robots, this one is a must-read. Asimov has built a layered,belieaveble & complex Robo-verse, and interesting Human-Artificial Intelligence interaction and conflicts based on his self-formulated 'three laws of robotics' in these collection of short stories.

Such an exciting read and complete eye opening experience (and introduction) to hard-science fiction and its tropes. The true stand out from these collection IMO is 'The Bicentennial Man', examining both robotics and human existentialism, where and when do they both inte Asimov has built a layered,belieaveble & complex Robo-verse, and interesting Human-Artificial Intelligence interaction and conflicts based on his self-formulated 'three laws of robotics' in these collection of short stories.

Such an exciting read and complete eye opening experience (and introduction) to hard-science fiction and its tropes. The true stand out from these collection IMO is 'The Bicentennial Man', examining both robotics and human existentialism, where and when do they both intersect. Interesting, engaging for discussion and touching as well. Can't wait to devour more of Asimov's works. Just one thing though: why the need to make the robots feel the need to sit (in a chair!

Nonetheless) everytime they had 'interrogation' scenes with their human overlords?? Really bugs me lol. Isaac Asimov was a Russian-born, American author, a professor of biochemistry, and a highly successful writer, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Professor Asimov is generally considered one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. He has works published in nine o Isaac Asimov was a Russian-born, American author, a professor of biochemistry, and a highly successful writer, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books.

Professor Asimov is generally considered one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. He has works published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System (lacking only an entry in the 100s category of Philosophy). Asimov is widely considered a master of the science-fiction genre and, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke, was considered one of the 'Big Three' science-fiction writers during his lifetime. Asimov's most famous work is the Foundation Series; his other major series are the Galactic Empire series and the Robot series, both of which he later tied into the same fictional universe as the Foundation Series to create a unified 'future history' for his stories much like those pioneered by Robert A.

Heinlein and previously produced by Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson. He penned numerous short stories, among them 'Nightfall', which in 1964 was voted by the Science Fiction Writers of America the best short science fiction story of all time, a title many still honor. He also wrote mysteries and fantasy, as well as a great amount of nonfiction. Asimov wrote the Lucky Starr series of juvenile science-fiction novels using the pen name Paul French.

Most of Asimov's popularized science books explain scientific concepts in a historical way, going as far back as possible to a time when the science in question was at its simplest stage. He often provides nationalities, birth dates, and death dates for the scientists he mentions, as well as etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Examples include his Guide to Science, the three volume set Understanding Physics, and Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery. Asimov was a long-time member and Vice President of Mensa International, albeit reluctantly; he described some members of that organization as 'brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs' He took more joy in being president of the American Humanist Association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, a Brooklyn, NY elementary school, and two different Isaac Asimov Awards are named in his honor. Isaac Asimov. (2007, November 29).

In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:50, November 29, 2007, from.

(This essay has been published on the official Souvenir Book of Intersection, the 53rd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) which was held in Glasgow, Scotland in 1995) In almost all the science fiction books I’ve read what has always surprised me is the presumed absence of science fiction itself from humanity’s future. The past and present science fiction writers have written a multitude of stories which take place in thousands of futures basically different from our present. However, oddly, in none of these futures exists what actually gives rise to them, that is science fiction.

Of course there are a few exceptions. Now and then there will be the shy showing up of a science fiction writer as a character, but this is quite unusual.

All the same, such a character is generally no more than an elementary projection of the author himself, a sort of self-quotation, something close to Hitchkock’s walk-on parts in his own movies. More often the future described by science fiction writers does not take into consideration SF. Why do science fiction writers seem to constantly forget to include SF literature in the futures they tell us about? Do they avoid talking about it because they think that in the future SF literature won’t be much different than today? Do they really commit such an ingenuous mistake? Or don’t they know what to say about it?

Or didn’t it ever come to them that it is reasonable to think that SF will exist in the future? All these writers are willing and glad to talk about the past of science fiction and are telling us all the time about it’s history.

Why is there all this attention and care for the past, and almost none for the future? When SF writers talk about SF, why do they always use the past tense instead of the future?