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Amelia Nichole Defield –
I loved this insight into the mind of Isaac Asimov with introductions for every short story in the collection of his personal favorite science fiction stories. I think The Last Question and the How It Happened were my favorites out of the bunch.
Erin DeLaney –
I'm glad I returned to Asimov's short stories, which I think are his best work. I had read "Nightfall" elsewhere, which unfortunately is not included in this collection but in my option is one of his best. The standout in this anthology for me was "The Last Question" which deals with the beginning/end of the universe. Not all of the stories were as serious and even "Obituary" and "Spell My Name With an S" were clever and thought-provoking. A lot of stories in this collection revolve around Multi I'm glad I returned to Asimov's short stories, which I think are his best work. I had read "Nightfall" elsewhere, which unfortunately is not included in this collection but in my option is one of his best. The standout in this anthology for me was "The Last Question" which deals with the beginning/end of the universe. Not all of the stories were as serious and even "Obituary" and "Spell My Name With an S" were clever and thought-provoking. A lot of stories in this collection revolve around Multivac (a massive sometimes omniscient and sometimes prescient computer), of which the implications in the modern day are even more relevant. Also the way he deals with time travel both in "The Ugly Little Boy" and "The Dead Past" is very well-done. I recommend his short stories to anyone looking to reexamine the way they think about some of the things in our society.
Bill –
This is a delightful book of short stories that he selected himself as his favorites and he introduces each one with a short explaination about why he included it on the book. I was taken with his creativity and the broad range of his stories. Many of the them made me chuckle and even more made me think. That is what I like best about science fiction, the ability of the author to so completely control the setting that they can get their message across as they want to. It is also clean. I reccome This is a delightful book of short stories that he selected himself as his favorites and he introduces each one with a short explaination about why he included it on the book. I was taken with his creativity and the broad range of his stories. Many of the them made me chuckle and even more made me think. That is what I like best about science fiction, the ability of the author to so completely control the setting that they can get their message across as they want to. It is also clean. I reccomend this whether or not you are fan of the genre or not. In fact this is an great book for someone who is interested in sampling the waters of science fiction.
Paul Brandt –
Featuring Asimov's personal choices, this collection offers a variety of science fiction stories that cover the period from 1949 to the present, each accompanied by a brief introduction. The Best of Isaac Asimov (Sphere, 1973) is a collection of twelve science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov. It begins with a short introduction (six pages in the Doubleday hardcover edition) giving various details on the stories, such as how they came to be written, or what significance Featuring Asimov's personal choices, this collection offers a variety of science fiction stories that cover the period from 1949 to the present, each accompanied by a brief introduction. The Best of Isaac Asimov (Sphere, 1973) is a collection of twelve science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov. It begins with a short introduction (six pages in the Doubleday hardcover edition) giving various details on the stories, such as how they came to be written, or what significance merits their inclusion in a "best of" collection, as well as some of Dr. Asimov's thoughts on a best of collection itself. The stories included are two of his early works, two of his late works (post-1960), and eight from the 1950s, which he refers to as his "golden decade" in the introduction. Except for the last story in the book, Mirror Image, none of the stories are related to his Robot and Foundation series, and only a few (The Last Question, The Dead Past, and Anniversary) mention the Multivac computer. Introduction "Marooned off Vesta" (1939) "Nightfall" (1941) "C-Chute" (1951) "The Martian Way" (1952) "The Deep" (1952) "The Fun They Had" (1951) "The Last Question" (1956) "The Dead Past" (1956) "The Dying Night" (1956) "Anniversary" (1959) "The Billiard Ball" (1967) "Mirror Image" (1972)
Delaney –
The best three in this are The Ugly Little Boy, Unto the Fourth Generation (it was 10:30 pm and it made me want to cry), and It's Such a Beautiful Day. Read The Immortal Bard and I Just Make them Up, See! for some funny times. For great mysteries, check out I'm in Marsport Without Hilda and Obituary. Read Flies for the weirdest time you've ever had. The best three in this are The Ugly Little Boy, Unto the Fourth Generation (it was 10:30 pm and it made me want to cry), and It's Such a Beautiful Day. Read The Immortal Bard and I Just Make them Up, See! for some funny times. For great mysteries, check out I'm in Marsport Without Hilda and Obituary. Read Flies for the weirdest time you've ever had.
Ken K –
Everyone should read "The Feeling of Power." The other stories are very good as well. Asimov is an amazing writer. Everyone should read "The Feeling of Power." The other stories are very good as well. Asimov is an amazing writer.
Anthony Faber –
A collection of Asimov's SF stories. Meh. A collection of Asimov's SF stories. Meh.
A –
With a variety of stories, the majority of which are really good, this book is a treat for any sci-fi fan.
Bruce –
I remember enjoying a number of Asimov stories when I was a boy, but hadn't actually read any of his work--long form or short--as an adult. This had been rattling around my bookshelves for years, picked up at some thrift shop or stoop sale, and I figured it was time to give it a whirl. First, I have to say that I really enjoy his writing. What I didn't love so much was his twee sense of humor and love of hacky jokes, which featured both the intros he wrote for each piece as well as some of the p I remember enjoying a number of Asimov stories when I was a boy, but hadn't actually read any of his work--long form or short--as an adult. This had been rattling around my bookshelves for years, picked up at some thrift shop or stoop sale, and I figured it was time to give it a whirl. First, I have to say that I really enjoy his writing. What I didn't love so much was his twee sense of humor and love of hacky jokes, which featured both the intros he wrote for each piece as well as some of the pieces themselves. Lots of very dated ideas here for what the future might look like (he might have been a genius, but he wasn't very much of a futurist), but also some very good story craft and fun ideas, my two favorites probably being "The Ugly Little Boy" and "How It Happened." I still want to read "Nightfall," but I think in the future I'll steer away from any more of Isaac's short stories, or at least the ones he personally chose as his own favorites rather than fan favorites!
Mmiller400m –
Great collection of 28 of Asimov's favorite sci fi short stories and short short 'feghoots' or mini stories that build up to, and end, with a play on words. Besides the last question it included two of my other favorite short stories 'The Franchise' and 'The Ugly Little Boy'. I loved reading the little prologues by Asimov before each piece that added quite a bit to what went into the piece and why he chose it or what he thought about it. I'm looking forward to gathering up the rest of these shor Great collection of 28 of Asimov's favorite sci fi short stories and short short 'feghoots' or mini stories that build up to, and end, with a play on words. Besides the last question it included two of my other favorite short stories 'The Franchise' and 'The Ugly Little Boy'. I loved reading the little prologues by Asimov before each piece that added quite a bit to what went into the piece and why he chose it or what he thought about it. I'm looking forward to gathering up the rest of these short story collections.
Stavros Efraimidis –
... glad I reread this special collection of short stories ... Asimov makes it clear from the beginning that he has a special private reason for including each story in this "Best of" collection, but some of them are (or should be) all time classic sci-fi ... among them some of my personal favourites like "The Dead Past", "Franchise", "It's Such a Beautiful Day", "The Last Question", "The Feeling Of Power" to name but a few ... ... glad I reread this special collection of short stories ... Asimov makes it clear from the beginning that he has a special private reason for including each story in this "Best of" collection, but some of them are (or should be) all time classic sci-fi ... among them some of my personal favourites like "The Dead Past", "Franchise", "It's Such a Beautiful Day", "The Last Question", "The Feeling Of Power" to name but a few ...
Linnea Slade –
I really like his style of writing, even if he is incredibly full of himself. His stories are really intellectually challenging and he seems to show God in many interesting forms including aliens, machines, and pure energy. Each of his ideas of God have a different purpose for interfering with humans either before or after death. If you are offended by reading religious views that are not your own, I would probably steer clear, but I really did enjoy this book.
Fernenanda –
My most favourite story in the anthology is The Foundation of Science Fiction Success, hands down! (My second-most favourite is It's Such a Beautiful Day and then Found! Though none of them beats Nightfall IMHO.) My most favourite story in the anthology is The Foundation of Science Fiction Success, hands down! (My second-most favourite is It's Such a Beautiful Day and then Found! Though none of them beats Nightfall IMHO.)
Sam –
A pleasure to read him again.
Richp –
This is Asimov's favorite short work that wasn't very popular. Not bad, but definitely not his best, and accompanied by his inflated ego, as is usual. This is Asimov's favorite short work that wasn't very popular. Not bad, but definitely not his best, and accompanied by his inflated ego, as is usual.
Keith Bell –
All of HIS favourite short stories with introductions. Best representation of his style and skill.
Janani –
Brilliant.
John Devlin –
Nightfall is a seminal work as well as the computer that starts the universe.
Jenny Enciso –
Rochelle Barozzi –
Tilda Lund –
Gina –
Raj Mohan –
Celeste Oehl –
Simon –
Ca53buckeye –
Schuyler Esperanza –
Bill Lockhart –
Davie Johnston –
Katherine –