Details the life and career of this prolific writer of both science fiction and non-fiction who, at the time of his death, had written close to five hundred books.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 5-7--Judson incorporates the story of Asimov's life with the emergence of the science-fiction genre in the 1930s and `40s. She begins by relaying colorful examples that illustrate the writer's love of reading during his childhood and love of science that later influenced his career. She continues by discussing Asimov's groundbreaking contributions to science fiction and nonfiction work. Unfortunately, Judson's text is dry and sometimes confusing. Readers are told that in 1956, after years as a well-respected writer, Asimov received 10 dollars and "was amazed," but there's no explanation as to why. Was it because of the amount or the fact that he was paid? Later, the author intimates that people were sometimes offended by his superior attitude, yet she does not expand on this topic. In this sense, she seems to shy away from discussing Asimov's flaws. Although this book boasts a brilliant subject, the treatment he receives is mediocre at best.
Laura Glaser, Euless Junior High School, TX
Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
I wrote my first book when I was in second grade, titled, "The Adventures of Drancy New." Obviously, it lacked originality. Since then, I taught school--college biology, high school sciences, and grades one and three--then published 15 books and 500 magazine articles. I'm an animal lover with a fifteen-pound cat named Boog, and I live in deep timber some twenty miles from Mount Rushmore. Nonfiction has been good to me and I love writing it, but I'm also working on a young adult mystery series.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
How Not to Write a Biography,
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This review is from: Isaac Asimov: Master of Science Fiction (People to Know) (Library Binding)
I've never read anything from the 'People to Know', series, and if this book is any indication, neither should you. (...). If you wish to write a bad biography, the guide:* Base your work on the officially published and easily reached autobiographies by the subject. Besides a few obvious interviews and a couple of web sites, look no further. Make no attempt to uncover the things the writer of the autobiography tried to hide. * Don't bother with even the most rudimentary of fact checking, so that your work will contain many egregious mistakes. My personal favorites: according to Karen Judson, Asimov made more money writing non fiction than fiction (p. 53), and 'Golden Age' SF was character driven (p.50). Both of these claims are not just false: they're absurd. Asimov wrote more non fiction then fiction because he enjoyed it more, even though he made much less money writing it. The main feature of Golden Age SF was a focus on scientific literacy. SF before the golden age was relatively scientifically inaccurate, and the Golden Age contained many working scientists who wrote more vigorously about science. * Do not look into any of the dark corners of your subject's past. Although Isaac Asimov lived a comfortable bourgeois existence, there are several controversies worth looking into: his conflicts with his superiors in Boston University, his infidelities, his atheism, and the way he treated his eldest son, David. In his writing career, later Asimov seemed to have sold his soul to the industry, allowing his name to be put on dozens of titles on which he did practically zero work (Stuff like: Isaac Asimov presents Superquizs) We now know that Asimov died of AIDS he received from a blood transfer in the early 1980s - all of these deserve discussion, but are hardly even mentioned. * Spend inordinary amount of time on issues of no importance. The author spends the better part of two pages discussion Isaac's World - a largely forgotten shared world anthology in the late 80s, now defunct and forgotten. She spends no less then three pages making dull summaries of books by other authors, who have very little in common besides being influential books on the developing SF scene in the 1930s. It seems like no thought was given as to what is essential and what is peripheral in Asimov's life. Despite being a homebody who lived very ordinary life, Asimov was a fascinating character, brilliant, witty, arrogant and eccentric. As a writer, Asimov revolutionized Science Fiction, and his work has influenced thousands around the world. As a Jewish Liberal and the son of an émigré, Asimov is a representative of a class that had a disproportionate influence on American Life in the 20th century. But you won't know it from reading this book. If you're interested in Isaac Asimov, I recommend reading his memoir, I, Asimov. It is deeper, more reflective, better written, and much, much more interesting.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just the basics,
By Watson McFestus "Watson McFestus" (Irving Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Isaac Asimov: Master of Science Fiction (People to Know) (Library Binding)
Pretty much geared for younger teens. A very basic overview - the most interesting part was the period from his childhood to his early adult years. Not much insight into his writings
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