Isaac Asimov: The Complete Stories, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I have been writing short stories for fifty-one years and I haven't yet quit..." (more)
Key Phrases: outer window sill, ugly little boy, psychic probe, Miss Fellowes, Mary Ann, Harg Tholan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first book of the definitive three-volume collection of short stories by the prolific Isaac Asimov, whose tales have delighted countless fans for over half a century--a must for every science fiction bookshelf.

From the Publisher

The first book of the definitive three-volume collection of short stories by the prolific Isaac Asimov, whose tales have delighted countless fans for over half a century--a must for every science fiction bookshelf.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1st edition (October 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038541627X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385416276
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,887 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #14 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( A ) > Asimov, Isaac
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise and necessary collection, November 11, 2002

By	VoodooLord7 (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Isaac Asimov was one of the most prolific writers not just in science fiction, but in all of literature. Having written upwards of 500 books (distributed throughout every category of the Dewey Decimal System), compliling the definitive Asimov omnibus, clearly, is a monumental task. This, the first in a three volume series (I have never come across the two subsequent volumes), collects a good portion of Asimov's short fiction (though, indeed, not as many as the title implies) - including some of his earliest work, and some of his best. This collection includes about 50 stories, comprising the previous short story collections Earth Is Room Enough, Nine Tomorrows, and Nightfall and Other Stories in their entirety. Included in it are some of the classic science fiction short stories of all-time: Nightfall, The Last Question (one of my absolute personal favorites, as well as Asimov's own favorite of his writings), and The Dying Night; as well as personal and sentimental favorites such as The Ugly Little Boy, Jokester, Dreaming Is A Private Thing, Profession, and Breeds There A Man...? It also includes such widely anthologized pieces as It's Such A Beautiful Day, The Fun They Had, and The Machine That Won The War. The collection also picks up several lighter pieces - such as examples of Asimov's poetry, which show that, despite his often leaning toward the cerebral in his stories, the good Doctor was also one big goof. Though by no means a complete overview of Asimov's short fiction, this is a very good place to start if you are new to the author - or if you want to get a good portion of his works in one convenient place. One need not go into the individual merits of these stories: Asimov's reputation precedes itself. This is some of the greatest science fiction ever written, essential to any fan of the genre, or of imaginative writing in general. Very highly recommended.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heck yeah!, December 31, 2006

By	M. Lee (Somewhere in the West Coast) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a GREAT collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov, one of the best science-fiction short-story writer ever. It contains over forty of his best works, including Nightfall and the Ugly Little Boy. The book itself is pretty big, with nice-sized font. Overall, a nice, sturdy copy of awesome short-stories. A must for an Isaac Asimov fan.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stampede to your cart and order!, February 7, 2001

By	Michael L. Dennis "mitchdennis" (West Des Moines, IA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You won't be sorry to read this book. This edition collects some of the finest and most clever short stories from a master writer. Each story speculates on our future and on the state of humanity; not dry, but through humor and twists of imagination.

This book includes about 50 short stories, ranging from 2-30 pages each, including "Nightfall".

If you have the chance, read "Jokester" first on page 123. You'll never think about humor again in the same way.