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I, Robot

I, Robot

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Entertaining, thoughtful, but a little dated
Review: This is a fun read, people should remember that Asimov wrote this in the 1940s. And, it wasn't written as a book, "I, Robot" is a collection of short stories about robots that he published in various pulps in the 1940s, which he then loosely connects. I read it because I wanted to compare it to the upcoming Will Smith movie, which I've heard isn't really based on the book at all, the movie just uses the famous Three Laws of Robotics, but the story in the movie is not one of the ones from the book.

Asimov is justifiably praised in other reviews for his vision of the future. However, there are some things he simply couldn't foresee in the 1940s about the future. For example, there are scientists still using slide rules and graph paper for their calculations. There is no "Internet" or mention of personal computers. There are the "Machines" which span the world and plan out a lot of economic activity, but this isn't the internet as you or I know it. Still, this is a thoughtful and entertaining book, and of course a science fiction classic, but like all of the pulp sci-fi from the 1940s it's a little out of date, to say the least.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: M-U-S-T___R-E-A-D___P-E-R-I-O-D.
Review: Must Read. Period.

Asimov is my most favorite author of all times. He has written in such varied subjects as Shakespeare, chemistry, scifi and astronomy, just to name a few -- And a total of almost 500 books. One man, in One lifetime, writing so many books is just plain amazing and inspiring! Asimov invented the term 'Robotics' and if I am not wrong, 'Robopsychologist' as well. His Three Laws of Robotics form the cornerstone of the field of Robotics.

"I, Robot" is one of Asimov's best scifi books. Its unique format as a series of short stories is another the mark of the genius. I am not sure anyone else has ever written a novel as a collection of short stories. If you are the kind of reader who wants to read a little bit at a time, you can read a short story and take a break for even a couple of days without any sense of a hanging storyline! (although it will be very hard to stop yourself)

Each one of the stories is engrossing and has a new perspective to offer on the subject of robots and on how humans would interact with them. Asimov excels in the absolutely wonderful logical arguments his characters have to solve a problem. In fact, I think one can learn a lot about the approach to generic problem solving from reading these stories. Susan Calvin, the first robopsychologist, narrates her experiences in interacting with robots and solving strange problems caused by them. To mention a few, it starts off with a girl's love of her robot, then goes on to a mind-reading robot and even a robot that wants to lose itself.

The movie 'I, Robot' is coming out in July 2004. From what I hear, the movie is not based on any single story written by Asimov, but combines a few of them from 'I, Robot' and his 'Elijah Baley' novels. I don't know about the movie, but as far as this book is concerned, rest assured that you'll have a few very short hours of incredible reading, leaving you with a yearning for more... Once you finish reading this, maybe you will also join me in saying my slogan "Read Asimov!".

M-U-S-T____R-E-A-D____P-E-R-I-O-D!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A compelling novel about the advancement of robots
Review: In the book "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov, Susan Calvin, and old female scientist, who had devoted her entire life to the study of robotics recalls her past experiences to a young reporter. She tells stories of the distant past when robots could not speak. She also shares some of her most recent experiences with robots, some of which were so advanced that they were mistaken for humans. This heartpounding novel is full of many exciting yet puzzling stories about robots and how they advance through time. The book does not spend an extensive amount of time discussing the technological aspects of robots, but just enough to educate the reader while still keeping him or her interested in the plot of the novel. The book revolves around the three laws of robotics. These basic laws are programmed into every robot which is manufactured in order to ensure that no humans come to harm as result of a robot acting out of the ordinary. However, as the robots become more advanced, problems arise regarding these basic laws, each problem more complicated than the last. It is up to the robot scientists to solve these intricate little puzzles. This novel about the future of mankind and robots provides an eerie yet interesting window into the future. Asimov's views on the future of robots is intriguing. After reading this novel, one cannot help but wonder is Asimov's vision for the future could become a reality. This book does a great job of displaying the future of robots. The novel is written in a series of short stories, which adds to its wonderful composition. "I, Robot" expresses one man's opinion about what is to come in the future without going into too much detail regarding the scientific aspects of robots.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A compelling novel about the advancement of robots
Review: In the book "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov, an old female scientist who had devoted her entire life to the study of robots recalls her past experiences to a young reporter. She tells stories from the distant past when robots could not do so much as speak one word to the most recent robots which are running the world. This heartpounding novel does not discuss the technological makeup of robots, but rather the problems which arise because of them. The robots in the not so distant future are programmed with the three laws of robotics, which were made to ensure that no humans come to harm due to a robot getting out of hand. Throughout the history of robotics, scientists encounter flaws while designing new and more advanced robots. The scientists then work out ways to correct the imperfection in the robot using logic and the three basic laws of robotics. After years and years of breakthroughs, the robot problems become increasingly worse and worse. Each advancement proposes a new and more challenging problem. This novel about the future of mankind and robots provides an eerie window into the future. One cannot help but wonder if Asimov's vision of the future could become a reality.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Remarkable, this book is!
Review: It has been at least a year and a half since I have willingly read anything besides comic books, graphic novels, or manga, and although I read this book for a school project, I enjoyed its contents far more than I did many comic book series'. The idea of Robots that not only can think about the world "outside of the box" but that also may develop feelings or human characteristics (such as a sense of humor) was profoundly innovative. After reading this, I immediately read one of Mr. Asimov's other books (The Fantastic Voyage) and found it equally enjoyable. The ideas and theories he impresses upon his readers are remarkable, and to pass up the chance to read the stories contained in this book would be folly. Therefore, read and review! :P

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A true classic
Review: Asimov is truly a genious. This book was alot of fun. Although some of the concepts are dated, that can be forgiven due to the age of the book. Asimov truly forsaw the way the world was heading, he was just a little optimistic about the timeline.
This book is more or less a book of shortstories concerning the three laws of robotics. Although the main characters are human (or are they), the robots steal the show. The stories connect on an emotional level with the reader, which is why they have lasted after the technology of the stories has been outdated.
This book is suitable for anyone whom can read it. There is no sexual material and almost no violence. Parents should not fear this book. It is not a children's book though. There are political and social messages to find if you look closely. Science Fiction the way it was meant to be.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A classic that set the standard for much science fiction
Review: This is the watershed set of short science fiction stories by sci-fi master Asimov. Susan Calvin, woman of steel and her creations are featured in some of the most beloved science fiction ever written. The Three Laws of Robotics are introduced, an innovation to defeat the "Frankenstein Complex" or robot-amok cliche that generally accompanies any story of robot, Golem or metal manmade creature.

The characters in "I, Robot" are cardboard cut-outs, right out of pulp novels and the stories will seem dated. Yet, this is the book that made the "Three Laws of Robotics" part of much more than just Asimov's fiction, and was the great-grandpappy of characters like Star Trek's Data. Don't be fooled; the film by the same name has little to do with these classic stories.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good, but there are better Asimov collections
Review: This is THE collection of robot stories that everyone knows about, but it is sad to say that it is not his finest. You actually get a better slection from getting both Robot Dreams and Robot Visions, through which you will get all of the great stories found in I, Robot and more.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Funny and Ironic, not the book- my review.
Review: I don't think that this book has a lot of good information to convey. Even though he is a great author, I found this book to be a little boring. I liked his other books (Robot Novels and Prelude to a Foundation). But this . . .

Well, it's ok if you want to toy with idea that positronic networks can happen. But, because I went to MIT, I know most of the robots they have are run by computer algorithms- maybe all of them.

And, I don't know of any big corporations that may be still be using big relays to drive their electrical or mechanical systems.
Most companies, I think, are moving towards PLC's (Programmable Logic Controls).

So, you can probably see why this book is NOW unrealistic, even though science fiction says not realistic (fiction) 8). Well, it seems things are weird.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Worth a read
Review: This is a collection of very early short stories about robots. The book is dominated by explorations of the implications and manifestations of Asimov's famous Three Laws of Robotics. For those unfamiliar with Asimov's science fiction about robots, these are absolutely inviolable rules which govern the behavior of all robots in Asimov's fiction. They are:

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.

Asimov's explorations are engaging and thought-provoking, and many of his stories take some unexpected twists (although at other times they are painfully predictable). My main complaint is with the characters. It sometimes seems as if the only characters with any personality, or even with a sense of humor, are the robots. When the humans aren't completely emotionless, they are constantly bickering with each other or bemoaning each others' incompetence. While this certainly emphasizes one character's view that robots are "a cleaner, better breed then we are," both the dispassion and the disagreeability of the main characters are painfully overemphasized.

Even so, this is definitely worth a read, especially given its history among the earliest fictional writings about robots.


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