Customer Reviews

Asimov Laughs Again: More Than 700 Jokes, Limericks, and Anecdotes

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Not counting his volumes of limericks, this is Isaac Asimov's second jokebook, following Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor. Like that first book, however, this is much more than simply a collection of jokes. Asimov discusses, in his usual prolific style, the nature of jokes and joketelling, what makes some things funny and others fall flat, and why he prefers some jokes to others. Although he intentionally steers away from topical humor, some of the jokes are still outdated simply because of the evolution of language and culture, but the book is still a great read and a full of laughs. It's a lot of fun.

Despite what the title suggest, this book is not a collection of jokes as "treasury" was. In this book the anecdotes are the main course. For those who know Asimov's bio in detail, some of these stories are already known; but a different take is always interesting. Those who dislike the way the old doctor talks about himself, probably should avoid this book.

This book was a source of many laughs for me. How Asimov tells you the jokes from his point of view is truly something. And the stories of his experiences are a good enough reason for any Asimov fan to buy this book. I encourige fans to check this book out, because it's brilliant!!

This book is more helpful then some of my fellow reviews suggest, as it reflects greatly on who Asimov the man actually was.

He was an unrepentant sexist, as many men of his generation were. He was arrogant, as many successful men are. He was self centred, as most of us are.

However, through this book you can see the pain of the failure of his first marriage and his love for his second wife and daughter. You can see many of the people he liked.

Sure some of it is unfunny, some of it is just plain crude and some of it is rambling. I liked it and return to it every couple of years.

One reason I did like it was it showed how autobiographical much of Asimov's other writings were. If you cross check some of the Foundation series, you can see a reflection in Issac's own life at the time of writing. This makes this volume a worthy addition for any Issac-ophile.

I've become quite a fan of Asimov's shorter works, so it was interesting to see him work in an even shorter form - the anecdote.

A good deal of what's presented could very well benefit from being read aloud by someone who speaks well; some of them stood by themselves as entertaining bits and pieces.

I came away with two feelings from this book: 1) that Asimov thought quite highly of himself in many regards (which isn't necessarily a bad thing; Harlan Ellison, one of my other favorites, thinks of HIMself in even higher regard) and, 2) the beauty of a joke isn't necessarily in the eye of the beholder, but of the teller.

First, recount a completely unfunny joke, then explain that you tell it better than anyone else, then explain what it is that is supposed to make the joke funny. Irony, or what?

Isaac Asimov was one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, but this book showed that there was a limit to even his talents. Most of the "jokes" are (a) not his; (b) not funny; (c) corny; and (d) sexually boring and/or gross. I was astonished that this was published in the 90's. It was so dated, I thought (before I checked the copyright notice) that it was published in the '70's and was supposed to be "shocking."

Put this down and reread the Foundation series!

Asimov is a great author but this book just isn't funny. I found myself struggling to stay awake through out the entire book. The majority of the jokes aren't even his, he is just retelling someone elses joke. Overall very boring.