Earth Is Room Enough

Rating:
Summary: Not Asimov's best collection, but worthwhile
Review: Isaac Asimov was, unquestionably, one of the greatest science fiction writers to ever pick up a pen. As well as his award-winning novels, he also wrote some of the classic short stories of the genre. This collection was one of his earliest such (preceded only by 1955's The Martian Way.) As these are early Asimov, they are not his best or most representative work. Although all are written in Asimov's clever and intimitable style (including the witty poem), there are not real, true classics included - some are very good, some are quite good, and a few merely pedestrian. Personal favorites of mine from this collection are Dreaming Is A Private Thing (concerning which Robert A. Heinlein accused Asimov of making money out of his own psychoses), and Jokester, a highly original and clever story. Pick this up if you are an Asimov fan and have already made headway into his works; otherwise, read a few of his better, more classic collections (such as Nine Tomorrows), first.

Rating:
Summary: Good short stories!
Review: Some of Asimov's best short stories, including some funny ones.

Rating:
Summary: Average Asimov
Review: There can be no question that Isaac Asimov deserves his place among the legends of science fiction. The original Foundation trilogy and the Robot series are canon deservedly so. Unfortunately, Earth Is Room Enough does not do justice to the Grand Master. The stories collected range from the fairly decent to the deadly dull. The sole stand-out is the brief "An Immortal Bard," answering the amusing question, "What if Shakespeare were alive today and taking a Shakespeare class?" Otherwise, the collection is largely forgettable.

Rating:
Summary: For Thinking People Only
Review: This is one of Asimov's earlier books, so he hadn't worked out yet all the details of making complex subjects understandable for the average reader. If you've got a strong background in the sciences, or are willing to pick up a physic textbook or two to help you through the rough spots, this collection is a must read.

However, if all you're into is escapist sci fi, this book doesn't have much to interest you.

Also note: if you're one of the thinking people, and know very much about Dr. Feinman's research, the first story in the collection will scare the hell out of you.

Rating:
Summary: For Thinking People Only
Review: This is one of Asimov's earlier books, so he hadn't worked out yet all the details of making complex subjects understandable for the average reader. If you've got a strong background in the sciences, or are willing to pick up a physic textbook or two to help you through the rough spots, this collection is a must read.

However, if all you're into is escapist sci fi, this book doesn't have much to interest you.

Also note: if you're one of the thinking people, and know very much about Dr. Feinman's research, the first story in the collection will scare the hell out of you.