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I, Robot
I Robot
Author: Isaac Asimov
The three laws of Robotics: — 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 orders give in to 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 Firs...  more »
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780553294385
ISBN-10: 0553294385
Publication Date: 11/1/1991
Pages: 304
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 254

3.9 stars, based on 254 ratings
Publisher: Spectra
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

doppelbock avatar reviewed I, Robot on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I am a little disappointed in myself that I hadn't read this book until now (since I have been reading sci-fi for 30 years). On its own it is very well written except for a few pieces of stilted dialogue. The characterization was amazing for a set of short stories and the stories tied together nicely.

As someone with a very analytical mind I loved how each story boiled down to figuring out how the Three Laws were interacting and causing unexpected behavior in the various robots. I really like the concept of robopsychology as a discipline but wonder if it could exist outside of a world with such strong restrictions placed on all robot brains.

The fact that these stories were written between 1940 and 1950 makes them all the more intriguing to me. I am impressed that Asimov wrote about hyperspace travel and elegantly wove it into a story.

If you saw the Will Smith movie of the same title but haven't read the book then do yourself a favor: read the book and pretend the movie had a different title since they have nothing in common but the Three Laws of Robotics. The movie was a simple murder mystery but the book is a rich history of a world that might have been.
reviewed I, Robot on + 193 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A good book to spent some sunny day reading. Just letting he mind go and enjoy its journey.
reviewed I, Robot on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A great read. Totally unlike the movie and better. Sets the themes and philosophies of Asimov's later work.
reviewed I, Robot on + 264 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great collection of sci-fi stories!!
Read All 34 Book Reviews of "I Robot"

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reviewed I, Robot on + 23 more book reviews
This is the first work by Isaac Asimov that I have read. The short stories were fascinating for the most part, and the three rules of robotics was interesting. It is great that the stories included the strong female robopsychologist Dr. Susan Calvin. My favorite story is the first one that is titled "Robbie", and my least favorite story is the last one with the title "The Evitable Conflict". I felt that some parts, particularly within a few sections of dialogue, dragged on a bit too long.
reviewed I, Robot on + 193 more book reviews
A good book to read if you only have a short time. many veery good stories about robots. I still think of the one about the machines who could find no man to take care of them so they went looking for one.
reviewed I, Robot on + 813 more book reviews
Written in 1950, these stories are in the vein of Ray Bradbury, but written much better. Science is still working to fulfill its premise today. His Robot and Foundation series appear to predate and predict Star Wars. So why did it take over 50 years to turn I, Robot into a bad movie?
reviewed I, Robot on + 1217 more book reviews
In this collection, one of the great classics of science fiction, Asimov set out the principles of robot behavior that we know as the Three Laws of Robotics. Here are stories of robots gone mad, mind-reading robots, robots with a sense of humor, robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world, all told with Asimov's trademark dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction.

Dr. Susan Calvin is a 75-year-old Robopsychologyist retiring from U.S. Robots in the year 2057 when she is interviewed by a reporter from the Interplanetary Press. Her interview forms the narrative of this novel, covering her participation in the development of independent, sensible, and rational robots, ruled by the three entrenched laws of robotics, and the many lessons of her career that have led her to contend that robots are more human than people and that they are vital to human survival.
reviewed I, Robot on + 2 more book reviews
Not at all what I'd expected it to be. Don't get me wrong, It was absolutely amazing, but nowhere along the same plot lines as the movie. If you are looking for a book that matches the movie, this isn't the book for you.

I absolutely enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read.
reviewed I, Robot on + 431 more book reviews
Asimov classic!!
TiTo avatar reviewed I, Robot on + 6 more book reviews
Traditional science fiction at its finest. This collection of short stories bears little resemblance to the Will Smith flop.
reviewed I, Robot on + 55 more book reviews
One of my favorite tales of all time. Even though this edition has the movie depicted on the cover, it is the unabridged version, the way Asimov wanted it told. I have seen the movie, and it does not hold true to the story much. The tale is much more complex and involved than the brief bit depicted on the big screen. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend you read/listen to it.
reviewed I, Robot on + 6 more book reviews
You saw the movie? It has nothing, except a few names, to do with the fantastic robot book. Mr Asimov GAVE us all of the robots who followed
liamshane avatar reviewed I, Robot on + 2 more book reviews
As always, Issac Asimov is one of the Masters of Science Fiction
reviewed I, Robot on + 232 more book reviews
The name Isaac Asimov says it all. This is a wonderful classic for your collection. I hate to give it up.


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