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Well, library cards are certainly much cheaper

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These were followed, years later, by these novels, which take place after the above, and generally aren't considered to be as good:

4) Foundation's Edge
5) Foundation and Earth

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The only element I didn't like about those novels was that the main character was arrogantly overbearing to an almost inhuman degree, totally lacking the likability and endearing simplicity of the hero of the Robot novels, Elijah Baley. That aside though, not to disagree or anything, I did find those two novels as good as the original series. Perhaps not as important to science fiction as the first three, but just as fun and involving.
 

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Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
 
Agree with the recommendation of The Gods Themselves. Splendid work, even if it does have a weird alien sex scene in it. (Asimov apparently got complaints that the didn't do aliens, he didn't do women, and he didn't do sex, so he decided to write one book containing all three just to show he could do it.)

As for Foundation, the original trilogy is certainly the best of Asimov's works on the subject. You might want to have a look at OSC's "The Originist" if you can find it, it's set in the same universe, just prior to the founding of Terminus. There's also a trilogy by Bear, Benford and Brin (each one does one book) exploring more deeply into the subject matter, including an explanation of just why there are no aliens in the galaxy, and how the Empire can remain stable for 12000 years without having any actual science. I've only read the Brin one, but it's rather good; I was surprised, but he does manage to say something new and interesting within the Foundation Universe.
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 
No need for me to chime in except to say that the original Foundation trilogy is truly excellent.

I'm surprised I, Robot hasn't been mentioned yet.

Also, The "Empire" series:

1. Pebble in the Sky (1950)
2. The Stars Like Dust (1951)
aka The Rebellious Stars
3. The Currents of Space (1952)

Are fantastic and should not be missed.

I'm afraid Asimov left a bunch of his fans behind with the continuation of the Foundation series in his later years, and its merger with the Robot novels.

I personally found it all quite imaginative, and well done in the offing.

But...

To me, he didn't recapture the style and excitement of his works from the 1950's and 60's. He had an amazing imagination but I'm afraid that he could be accused of recycling ideas late in life.

I didn't mind, but I've heard the criticism voiced many, many times.

I think his ability to tie all those loose ends together was demonstration enough that his mind was still pretty agile.
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
I've noticed that no one here has mentioned any of his massive piles of non-fiction work. I've read tons of his science essays... many of them are hopelessly out-of-date, but they're still fascinating. And two of his most famous non-fiction works, Asimov's Guide to the Bible and Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare, are excellent and well worth reading, and they've survived their age much better than many of his other works.

Also, if you're in the mood for some short mysteries, I've always found his Black Widowers stories and Lucky Starr books most amusing. Not nearly as deep as some of his other novels, but excellent hors d'oeuvres to whet your appetite for more serious endeavours.
 

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Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
 
I read that collection of short stories. I believe it was called "I, Robot" the same as the movie.

It was a bunch of stories about how the 3 rules could go wrong. I found it very interesting.
 

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Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
 
I do not know if they have been put into an anthology but his Black Widower short story mysteries are fun, and he wrote so many essays to introduce people to science that you absolutly have to read them to your kids if nothing else. His Robot books and Foundation novels of course, but also if they are out there in a collection his short stories for his magazine were fun! (Asimov Magazine!) find them if you can, his editorials are always wonderful, "The Gentle Reader" I loved being called that!

BC
 

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Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
I would also recommend "Murder at the ABBA" for anyone who likes murder mysteries, or is interested in the inner workings of the publishing industry.

Its the only murder mystery I know of where the author is one of the suspects. That takes ego to write yourself into your story, and it takes guts to make yourself look silly.

I think the writing of his I enjoyed the most was his introductions, including intro's to collections where he didn't write anything. They basically introduced you to this persona whom I believe is close to Isaac Asimov.

Oh, and Bicentennial Man was a better book than movie. Check it out too.
 

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Posted by Portabello (Member # 7710) on :
 
Ah, Asimov...

The summer before I went to college, I read somewhere around 100 books by Asimov. Unfortunately, it was so much in such a short time that I often cannot remember what book had what. Also, I kinda overdosed on him, and it's only just recently that I've been reading much of him again.

I would definitely recommend I, Robot -- you have to read that book just as much as somebody who is interested in OSC has to read Ender's Game.

If you like I, Robot as I di, then you will go after Asimov's other Robot stories and novels, so I feel no need to recommend them to you.

So the second thing I will recommend is the original Foundation trilogy. Again, if you like it as I did, you will probably desire to read more of the Foundation books.

There are a couple of "linking" books that link together both the Foundation and the Robot universes. I recommend against reading those unless you've already read all of the Robot and Foundation novels.
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
Oh, there's one more that I think has been missed. The first short story collection of his that I ever read was Nightfall and Other Stories. I've read it several times since then, although not for a while. It's a nice taste of the Asimov that isn't tied up in the Foundation/Robot universe. The title story was kind of a breakout hit for him. And the rest... some of the most memorable short stories I've ever read by any author were in that book. Top notch sci-fi.
 

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Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
 
I know I brought this up in another thread , but the Asimov I am getting into is The Foundation MMORPG .

The last few months I read The Gods Themselves and the first few Foundation books. I want to read the next book right now, but I lost it.

This reminds me, I will look for it tomorrow.

Anyway, I started playing this web-based MMORPG set in The Foundation Universe. I must say, I like it. It is not too graphical; it is mostly strategy. You start off as an independent with 4 planets. You have two weeks to control 15 planets. If you do that, you rise in rank and get a new challenge. The game recycles, but you start with more influence. I understand you can eventually choose to specialize in merchant, war, et cetera.

As someone who is in an Asimov high, I am enjoying this game. I can play it at lunchtime at work!

You play by giving orders, and it may take anywhere from 4 to 16 hours for an order to be completed. It takes about 10-15 minutes to set your orders and review what is going on, and then you don’t play until your orders are fulfilled. It is intended to be played continually for short periods of time--anywhere from 1-4 times a day. I think I will be doing it 2-3 times.

My plug is done. Thank you.

[ April 25, 2005, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: lem ]
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
Follow Up:

I bought Foundation on Sunday from B&N. Mowed through it in like 3 hours. That was really good book. I must learn more about this Hari Seldon and his psychohistory. But the book ended in a cliffhanger. No real resolution. So I'm off to pick up Foundation and Empire.

But thanks for all the recommendations. I've bookmarked this thread and will be returning to finish my Asimov education (though I'll spare everyone the play-by-play from now on).

One more comment - Does it annoy anyone else who has to sound out weird alien names in books. I say the words in my head as I read, and these things really kill my flow. One character in particular, Count something-or-other, spoke with what seemed like a Boston accent, and it was written in a fashion that was almost unintelligable. I ended up just skimming his lines and picking up context from the other characters. Thankfully, he retired after about ten pages.
 

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