Nightfall, and Other Stories

Rating:
Summary: Old Favorite
Review: I have been looking for a copy of this out-of-print book forever. It is one of my all-time favorites. I enjoy all the stories: "Nightfall" is of course very good but many of the others are just as intriguing to me. Definitely worth picking up if you can find it.

Rating:
Summary: Nightfall and other stories
Review: In the past century there have been countless anthologies in the field of SF. This one is the paramount. The Grand Master of SF assembeles tales that range from cynical humor to predictions of the future, to just generaly great stories. From the tile story Nightfall to my personal favorite Sally, this book will hold you captivated not just once, but over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Title story, excellent; the rest, a mixed bag
Review: The classic title story of this collection of short fiction, Nightfall, was voted the best science fiction short story of all-time. It is a classic of the field, and a masterpiece of atmosphere. Anyone who calls theirself a science fiction fan and has not read it is merely posing. This book, for most readers, then, is worth picking up for that story alone. That said, despite its classic status, the rest of this collection, though it does have its moments, does not reach the high standards set by the title story. Other winners include the classic and oft-anthologized It's Such A Beautiful Day and the rendering and chilling "Breeds There A Man...?" There are other stories of quality in this book, but, unfortunately, they are not among Asimov's best. Like his contemporary Grand Master, Arthur C. Clarke, as Asimov got further and further into his writing career, though his novels remained excellent, his short stories began to falter: many of them seem infected with an over-eager attempt at cleverness. While this often makes for some amusing stories (Strikebreaker, What If..., What Is This Thing Called Love?), it does not often make for classics. Thus, while this collection is certainly good - and the title story is an absolute must-read - it is not Asimov's best short story collection (try Nine Tomorrows or one of the Robot anthologies for that.) If you are a die-hard Asimov fan, I recommend picking this up; however, if you are a casual reader, or new to the good Doctor, or perhaps just want to read Nightfall, then I suggest you pick up a more wide-ranging collection such as The Complete Stories.

Rating:
Summary: I'll give a 5 for title story, 1 for the rest
Review: This collection of early Asimov short stories starts of with a bang in the form of the title story, Nightfall. It's an amazing story for many reasons: great concept, smooth pacing, a good conveyance of atmosphere, AND the fact that Asimov actually wrote it. If only the rest of the stories in this book (or for that matter, ANY of his other stories) could be thought out like this. The remainder of the book is a bunch of throw-aways. Asimov says in the intro that Nightfall has been anthologized time and time again; well, I guess I'll have to look for one of those so I can get rid of this book and not be bothered with the others.

Rating:
Summary: Another incredible piece by Asimov...
Review: What an incredible book. Filled to the brim with terrific short stories, Asimov completely engrosses you in the lives and situations of the characters in these stories in only 30 pages. Some have twist endings that truly surprise and thrill. Others are good looks at technology and the like in a nutshell, developed too far.
I would absolutely recommend Nightfall & Other stories- Nightfall is the classic about a world who never sees darkness- surrounded by numerous suns, and how it affects its inhabitants. A must read for any science fiction fan- Asimov doesn't disappoint!

Rating:
Summary: Another incredible piece by Asimov...
Review: What an incredible book. Filled to the brim with terrific short stories, Asimov completely engrosses you in the lives and situations of the characters in these stories in only 30 pages. Some have twist endings that truly surprise and thrill. Others are good looks at technology and the like in a nutshell, developed too far.
I would absolutely recommend Nightfall & Other stories- Nightfall is the classic about a world who never sees darkness- surrounded by numerous suns, and how it affects its inhabitants. A must read for any science fiction fan- Asimov doesn't disappoint!