Past, Present, and Future [Hardcover]

Isaac Asimov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1987

In "Past, Present, and Future", Asimov has culled the best of his essays (some of which appear here for the first time) to form a fascinating journey through the world of astronomy, nuclear power, medicine, physics, history, music, film, politics, and other popular subjects. Our pre-eminent populariser of science, Asimov takes on many of today's most discussed issues here - Star Wars, the Chernobyl disaster, genetic engineering, the creationsim/evolution debate - with a flair, verve, and mastery that have won him innumerable readers. But he also includes many essays written in a personal vein, giving us disarmingly humorous accounts of his triple-bypass surgery and his "Hollywood Non-Career."An entertaining look at Asimov's commitment to living in New York City (which he calls "Paradise") is afforded in "I Love New York." On a grand tour of the years ahead, in chapters like "Living on the Moon," "2084," "Should We Fear the Computer?" and "The New Learning," we are shown a future that is thrilling, fearsome, and, as the author insists, our present responsibility.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Past, Present, and Future is another of Asimov's ubiquitous essay collections. Unlike his compilations of science essays from the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, it ranges widely, from censorship to Gilbert & Sullivan to space colonies. Two essays see print for the first time, but most first appeared as book introductions or articles. Despite the variety of topics, fans may find this collection a bit repetitious as Asimov reiterates opinions about space-based nuclear and solar power, genetic engineering, and feminism. The majority of the essays are copyrighted 1983-86; however, some seem dated. Two pieces about colonizing the moon written in 1969 postulate the presence of water molecules in lunar rock (which was disproved during Apollo missions), while an essay written before Chernobyl seems overly sanguine about nuclear safety. For public libraries. Laurie Tynan, Huntingdon Cty. Lib., Pa.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 374 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879753935
• ISBN-13: 978-0879753931
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,238,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Isaac Asimov, The master, July 9, 2010

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Fernando Jannaut (Katy, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Past, Present, and Future (Hardcover)

Another excelent book from Isaac Asimov. A litle old but as good as new. Great