I had forgotten how good a writer Asimov was -- and even 50 years after some of these stories, they're still great yarns. Includes some of the greatest sci fi stories ever written. ( )

The first of a two part collection of Asimov stories. Not exclusively sci-fi, they cover fiction as well. A good collection, though The Complete Robot is still the definitive collection of Asimov Sci-fi stories. ( )

Includes the short story 'Jokester' about where jokes derive. Excellent set of short stories from pre-1960. Very prescient on use of computer and privacy concerns.

I have not read much science fiction in the past so I do not regard myself as much of a science fiction reader but I had received this book as a surprise gift. For that reason, it took me quite a while to get round to start reading it. There are 25 short stories of science fiction in this volume. Some of the stories are very short (a few pages) whereas the longest is just over 50 pages. All of them were written during the 1950s and, naturally, there are some dated elements to the writing style and descriptions. However, I found the concepts and themes of these stories quite thought-provoking and I can appreciate why the author was (and still is) so highly regarded.

I enjoyed reading most of the stories; they are quite varied. My favourites include: Gimmicks Three (a demon's conundrum), Satisfaction Guaranteed (similar theme to the movie, A.I.), Franchise (an election where one person is chosen to vote for a whole nation), Profession (education/careers in the future), The Dying Night (a futuristic "who dunnit?"), Gentle Vultures (alien abduction with a nuclear war theme). ( )

Reviewed Jan - April 1999

Fun book to read, some stories are only two pages long and some like "The Ugly Little Boy," "Profession," and "C-Chute" are much longer. Stories like, "The Fun they Had," and "It's Such a Beautiful Day" the kids really enjoyed when I read aloud to them. Even Butch had to listen in. Several stories I re-told on long drives which left the kids saying, "Can't you remember anymore?" Many of these stories I had already read in his other complications, but I enjoyed re-reading them again. Asimov is always entertaining! ( )

A Complete Stories of Isaac Asimov book in one volume would have to electronic to be liftable, or have paper and print of the rice and really, really tiny variety. Hence the split-up and this volume.

Then those sneaky writer people go and write more on you some of the time, as well.

Anyway, severall of his best stories here, as well as some really ordinary, and even some humorous fantasy.

Complete Stories 1 : The Dead Past - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Franchise - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Gimmicks Three - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Kid Stuff - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Watery Place - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Living Space - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Message - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Satisfaction Guaranteed - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Hell-Fire - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Last Trump - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Fun They Had - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Jokester - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Immortal Bard - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Someday - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Dreaming Is a Private Thing - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Profession - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Feeling of Power - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Dying Night - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : I'm in Marsport Without Hilda - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Gentle Vultures - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : All the Troubles of the World - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Spell My Name with an S - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Last Question - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Ugly Little Boy - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Nightfall - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Green Patches - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Hostess - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Breeds There a Man? - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The C-Chute - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : In a Good Cause— - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : What If - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Sally - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Flies - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Nobody Here But— - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : It's Such a Beautiful Day - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Strikebreaker - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Insert Knob A in Hole B - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Up-to-Date Sorcerer - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Unto the Fourth Generation - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : What Is This Thing Called Love? - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : The Machine That Won the War - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : My Son the Physicist! - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Eyes Do More Than See - Isaac Asimov
Complete Stories 1 : Segregationist - Isaac Asimov

Chronoscope Carthage.

2.5 out of 5

Small electoral analysis.

3.5 out of 5

Demon admin admittance test.

3 out of 5

"I'm not just an ordinary elf. I'm a mutant! A super-elf!"

2.5 out of 5

Venus visitor Italian rejection mistake.

3 out of 5

Earth probability pattern population spread.

3.5 out of 5

Perfect observing spot.

2.5 out of 5

No robots in my house, even if cute.

3.5 out of 5

Atomic film.

3 out of 5

Day Of Resurrection Due research.

3 out of 5

Old school stuff.

3 out of 5

Computer humour intuition.

3 out of 5

Famous people enrolment.

2.5 out of 5

Writing? You jest.

2.5 out of 5

Entertainment youth recruiting.

3 out of 5

Educational specialisation stagnation learning bypass.

4 out of 5

Computer people consequences.

3 out of 5

Transfer paper death mystery.

3.5 out of 5

Contraband case solving speed rendezvous desperation.

3.5 out of 5

Nuclear decontamination Cold War waiting monkey boy catch plan.

3 out of 5

Multivac murder potential plan.

3 out of 5

Minor change equals big payout.

3.5 out of 5

Immortal humans breed too fast for the universe.

4 out of 5

Neanderthal stasis maternal ending.

4 out of 5

Media and religion struggle with science. Still.

4 out of 5

Lack of grouping relief.

3 out of 5

Doctor, Doctor, can't give them the news, we're full of mind parasites that kill them fools.

4 out of 5

Mental giant experiment.

3 out of 5

Jumping into space escape is a gas.

3.5 out of 5

Diaboli political protest.

3.5 out of 5

Marriage party possibilities.

3 out of 5

Robocar protection.

4 out of 5

Beelzebub bloke.

3.5 out of 5

Junior stopping galoot.

3.5 out of 5

Mekkano instructions.

2.5 out of 5

Outcast negotiator.

3 out of 5

Hard to RTFM.

3 out of 5

Endocrinology attraction.

3 out of 5

Ancestral spelling.

2.5 out of 5

Flying saucer guys not breast men.

4 out of 5

Coin flip strategy.

3 out of 5

Female communication strategy advice.

3 out of 5

Art does Matter.

3 out of 5

Metallo wannabes.

3 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/03... ( )

A Valentine's present from Cheryl, very much appreciated. I started with re-reading "Nightfall..." ( )