Timstar
-
Posts
2,188 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Books
Posts posted by Timstar
-
-
I, Robot - Isaac AsimovSynopsis
I, Robot is a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov, first published by Gnome Press in 1950 in an edition of 5,000 copies. The stories originally appeared in the American magazines Super Science Stories and Astounding Science Fiction between 1940 and 1950. The stories are woven together as Dr. Susan Calvin tells them to a reporter (the narrator) in the 21st century.
Review
If you have ever seen the film I, Robot, first of all i'm sorry to hear that, second you'll be glad to hear it is nothing like the book. The book been an interconnected series of short stories based around the principles of robotics and having robots run our lives as well the 3 Laws of Robotics for which Asimov is famous for. These being:
- A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
- A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
- A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
On paper these laws seem fairly absolute but Asimov explores a number of scenarios in which the laws break down. One such being: A human steps into a gamma radiation field (which is harmful but ok for short periods), a Robot sees this and attempts to rescue them as they know it is harmful and they themselves are destroyed (Gamma rays being instantly fatal to them). Even though this conflicts with the Third Law, to not attempt the rescue would conflict with the First Law which takes priority.
Other similar loop holes are explored and how they can be overcome is an interesting exploration. The title and it's origin in the book was also fairly clever, it is play on 'I think, therefore I Am' and is explored in a story in which a Robot refuses to believe he was created by Man.
In a similar manner to Arthur C. Clarke this is clearly an 'ideas' driven book as oppose to character driven, which most you will know I enjoy thoroughly, and this one was no exception. A thought provoking and intriguing catalogue of ideas and stories.
Overall 8/10
-
I read the sample last night and quite enjoyed it and wouldn't call it simplistic. I bought the first book and will read it soon
Glad to see the standard doesn't dip in the sequels as well. -
Second The Stand
-
I watched the film yesterday and quite enjoyed it, I read a few reviews for the book on Amazon and it sounds really good, I downloaded a sample but haven't read it yet. How do you find the writing? it's not too simplistic is it?
-
I do too! They didn't have #3, 8 or anything above 9
but not a bad find I reckon. Also picked up The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein. -
Tomorrow, When the War Began... or as I call it 'Red Dawn Down Under'. It was enjoyable but could have been better, especially if the characters didn't keep doing very stupid things.
Wolverines!
-
Had a very weak moment today, saw these for 50p each and couldn't resist...
-
It's a conspiracy!
-
-
A 'please' would've been nice
Hehe you'll be lucky!
Don't worry anyway, at the rate I read series I will never keep up lol. -
No don't start The Great Hunt too soon! I am getting close to starting The Eye of the World. I have a plan that I am mostly sticking too lol.
1. Finish Current book (A Kindle Horror)
2. Read A Thriller
3. Read A Non-Fiction
4. Read Dexter
5. Read Eye of the World
-
Disregarding height, I think Cruise is a bit too swarve and stylish for Reacher. Needs someone a bit grittier like Kiefer Sutherland if we were still disregarding height.
-
As my Mum always says, 'what's his is mine, and what's mine is mine'.
That sounds familiar!
-
Sounds like you two make a great team, it's rather convenient she likes her books on Kindle so you can have more space. A lot more convenient than if you two were both obsessive-compulsive book hoarders
(Not saying you are one, of course )Oh I am, definitely. It is helpful
I also have a lot more DVDs then her, although she keeps calling them our DVDs 
-
I was just about to ask, do you share your bookcase or do you have your own shelves and she has her own?
She has hardly any books so we do share, but she gets most of hers on the Kindle now.I'll always love my shelves, can't wait till they are all in one place
-
Thanks I added them to my wishlist
-
Thanks but I was thinking of something more contemporary, and more adult. Like a Jack Ketchum meets Rory Clements/Bernard Cornwell sort of thing. Not sure there is any out there
-
Looking forward to your Rory Clements review, I have been meaning to try out some different historical fiction, and his books do sound good
.I was wondering if you know any good Historical Horror novels or authors? Preferably pre-20th Century.
-
Finished The Fort by Bernard Cornwell, unlike his usual style of following one person or a group from the one side of the regular army, here he follows the generals, majors and colonels from both sides. This meant he had to be much more historically accurate, which is always good, but did mean the characterisation suffered a little as he couldn't take the same liberties as with his fictional characters in a non-fictional setting. It was refreshing to see a completely unbiased depiction of an important but not very well known siege. I didn't know who was going to win until the very end.
-
Django Unchained! It was brilliant. Classic Tarantino, if you like that sort of thing you won't be disappointed.
-
Ooh, another Barnes & Noble edition
I was inspired by your purchase. Remember seeing it a while ago but then forgot about it. Jules Verne one is on my wishlist.
That should keep you quiet busy for a while.
It certainly will.
-
May I ask what the big books by J. R. R. Tolkien are on the top shelf (to the right)? I can read it says Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, but you've already got those on the bottom shelf),
They are all my wife's, she has reading copies and nice shelf copies which were a present from me. LOTR is the 50th Anniversary edition and this edition of The Hobbit. They are her pride and joy of books
Here's a better pic -
\
Wow, not that is a book and a half! How many pages?
1250, in the same style as a bible, I.e two columns on each page and small print.
-
This is my one where i'm currently living and has most of the books I plan to read in the near future.
Steve's Bookshelf 2013
in Past Book Logs
Posted
I am also thinking of leaving