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Now that I have that decided, I get to do the best part of my term paper: research modern day robots and search for parallels between those and the ones in "I, Robot."
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Isaac Asmiov's Robot Series Were the last 3 novels any good?
#1
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Posted 17 January 2003 - 05:47 PM
Thank you very much, Cardie and Rhea. I don't really like Asimov that much overall so I think I'll stick to just using "I, Robot." I read part of the first Foundation book, and it was boring for me. I think the only reason I was so fond of "I, Robot" is that I related very much to Susan Calvin and her preference of machines over other people.
Now that I have that decided, I get to do the best part of my term paper: research modern day robots and search for parallels between those and the ones in "I, Robot."
Now that I have that decided, I get to do the best part of my term paper: research modern day robots and search for parallels between those and the ones in "I, Robot."
I use these words pretty loosely. There's so much more to life than words.
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
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#2
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Posted 16 January 2003 - 08:36 PM
Actually, not the last 3...the first, second and fourth novels. I didn't realize I had the order wrong. Oops.
I have a big term paper this semester, and I chose "I, Robot" for my novel. However, I lack enough material for my topic from that novel alone. I started reading "The Robots of Dawn," the third book in Asimov's robot series. Maybe it's because I didn't read the other two novels that come before it, but I can't seem to get into it. "I, Robot" was really good imo, though.
For anyone that's read the series, are the four novels in the robot series good enough to read and spend the time to go to a bookstore and purchase them since the library doesn't have them? Or should I just try to pull together enough material from "I, Robot" alone?
I have a big term paper this semester, and I chose "I, Robot" for my novel. However, I lack enough material for my topic from that novel alone. I started reading "The Robots of Dawn," the third book in Asimov's robot series. Maybe it's because I didn't read the other two novels that come before it, but I can't seem to get into it. "I, Robot" was really good imo, though.
For anyone that's read the series, are the four novels in the robot series good enough to read and spend the time to go to a bookstore and purchase them since the library doesn't have them? Or should I just try to pull together enough material from "I, Robot" alone?
I use these words pretty loosely. There's so much more to life than words.
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
#3
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Posted 17 January 2003 - 11:25 PM
I'd be one to second the suggestion that you read Caves of Steel. It's a darned good murder mystery, as well as one of Asimov's best books. Shorter and faster paced than the Foundation series.
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Posted 18 January 2003 - 11:44 AM
I think I'll go buy "Caves of Steel" and a few other novels I've been wanting to get my hands on on Wednesday when I'll be near a used bookstore anyway. But as I said before, the Foundation series wasn't my cup of tea so I think I'll skip on the rest of the books related to it. It's definitely hard to read a novel when one hasn't read the other books that are the backbone of it. (I read "To Sail Beyond The Sunset" by Heinlein twice -- once when I'd read just one of his other novels and then again after reading a couple more. There were still probably references that went over my head, but it was better the second time.)
I use these words pretty loosely. There's so much more to life than words.
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
#5
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Posted 16 January 2003 - 11:18 PM
Have you read Asimov's Foundation series or all the books with R. Daneel Olivaw, starting with "The Caves of Steel?" They all end up being interconnected, but "I, Robot" is more of a stand-alone. In other words, unless you read everything, you're better to stick with just "I, Robot."
Cardie
Cardie
Nothing succeeds like excess.
#6
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Posted 17 January 2003 - 11:31 PM
I'll put "Caves of Steel" on my reading list then, BunRab. I like a good mystery every once in a while. Plus, I really need something to pass my study halls in which I have nothing to do. Staring at the clock is *quite* boring. 
I use these words pretty loosely. There's so much more to life than words.
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
#7
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Posted 17 January 2003 - 09:56 AM
Cardie, on Jan. 17 2003,04:18, said:
Have you read Asimov's Foundation series or all the books with R. Daneel Olivaw, starting with "The Caves of Steel?" They all end up being interconnected, but "I, Robot" is more of a stand-alone. In other words, unless you read everything, you're better to stick with just "I, Robot."
Cardie
Cardie
I'm with Cardie. They're all interconnected. I have the Robot stories in a two-volume set. I'll start out to re-read one of them, and end up reading all of both volumes!
I, Robot has lots and lots of material, but I'd stick with that one for your report.
If you're interested in Asimov, I think maybe I'd read the Foundation books first (to get the feel of the historical timeline) and then go back and read the robot stories, which deal with moments in that timeline. :hobbit:
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
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--Howard Thurman
#8
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Posted 18 January 2003 - 11:07 AM
I second the recommendation for the "Caves of Steel" -- excellent!
I also reinterate that Asmiov's "Robots" are layered throughout the Foundation series -- the backbone really, in my mind and then he has his separate robot stories.
I also reinterate that Asmiov's "Robots" are layered throughout the Foundation series -- the backbone really, in my mind and then he has his separate robot stories.
found this tidbit in the note section!
Words of Zack RE Tyr: This is just one ex-writer speaking completely non-canonically, but in my mind the most fascinating thing about Tyr was that despite his breeding and socialization to be treacherous, opportunistic, and selfish, it was pretty clear that underneath it all, another aspect of Tyr's personality was to be gentle, loyal, and altruistic. We saw this most clearly in "Distant Drum," where with his memory gone Tyr's default mode was to protect the weak and risk his life for kludges, but it also surfaced in "Its Hour" with Tyr's obvious pride in and protectiveness toward Harper, and then in "All Too Human" (the title says it all), where Tyr is confused and enraged by his own compassion toward Harper. <br><br>In my own mind at least, Tyr's growth as a character was ultimately to try and merge what was best about the Nietzscheans (energy, intelligence, never say die attitude) with what was best about humanity (empathy, altruism, connectedness with others.)<br><br>As always, YMMV.
How I remember those days....
Words of Zack RE Tyr: This is just one ex-writer speaking completely non-canonically, but in my mind the most fascinating thing about Tyr was that despite his breeding and socialization to be treacherous, opportunistic, and selfish, it was pretty clear that underneath it all, another aspect of Tyr's personality was to be gentle, loyal, and altruistic. We saw this most clearly in "Distant Drum," where with his memory gone Tyr's default mode was to protect the weak and risk his life for kludges, but it also surfaced in "Its Hour" with Tyr's obvious pride in and protectiveness toward Harper, and then in "All Too Human" (the title says it all), where Tyr is confused and enraged by his own compassion toward Harper. <br><br>In my own mind at least, Tyr's growth as a character was ultimately to try and merge what was best about the Nietzscheans (energy, intelligence, never say die attitude) with what was best about humanity (empathy, altruism, connectedness with others.)<br><br>As always, YMMV.
How I remember those days....
#9
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Posted 19 January 2003 - 03:39 PM
^
Honestly, I think one should probably start reading s/f with Asimov because of the style he used -- that simplistic thing he's got going. I understand though.
You ought to like 'Caves of Steel', its more stand alone.
Honestly, I think one should probably start reading s/f with Asimov because of the style he used -- that simplistic thing he's got going. I understand though.
You ought to like 'Caves of Steel', its more stand alone.
found this tidbit in the note section!
Words of Zack RE Tyr: This is just one ex-writer speaking completely non-canonically, but in my mind the most fascinating thing about Tyr was that despite his breeding and socialization to be treacherous, opportunistic, and selfish, it was pretty clear that underneath it all, another aspect of Tyr's personality was to be gentle, loyal, and altruistic. We saw this most clearly in "Distant Drum," where with his memory gone Tyr's default mode was to protect the weak and risk his life for kludges, but it also surfaced in "Its Hour" with Tyr's obvious pride in and protectiveness toward Harper, and then in "All Too Human" (the title says it all), where Tyr is confused and enraged by his own compassion toward Harper. <br><br>In my own mind at least, Tyr's growth as a character was ultimately to try and merge what was best about the Nietzscheans (energy, intelligence, never say die attitude) with what was best about humanity (empathy, altruism, connectedness with others.)<br><br>As always, YMMV.
How I remember those days....
Words of Zack RE Tyr: This is just one ex-writer speaking completely non-canonically, but in my mind the most fascinating thing about Tyr was that despite his breeding and socialization to be treacherous, opportunistic, and selfish, it was pretty clear that underneath it all, another aspect of Tyr's personality was to be gentle, loyal, and altruistic. We saw this most clearly in "Distant Drum," where with his memory gone Tyr's default mode was to protect the weak and risk his life for kludges, but it also surfaced in "Its Hour" with Tyr's obvious pride in and protectiveness toward Harper, and then in "All Too Human" (the title says it all), where Tyr is confused and enraged by his own compassion toward Harper. <br><br>In my own mind at least, Tyr's growth as a character was ultimately to try and merge what was best about the Nietzscheans (energy, intelligence, never say die attitude) with what was best about humanity (empathy, altruism, connectedness with others.)<br><br>As always, YMMV.
How I remember those days....
#10
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Posted 20 January 2003 - 03:05 PM
I've read tons of sci-fi and didn't try out Asimov at all until a couple of years ago when I tried to read the first book in the Foundation series. The simplicity is okay, but sometimes I prefer something more technical and complex.
I think I'll like "Caves of Steel" from what I've read online about it. I do tend to prefer stand-alone novels to series novels (unless the author is extremely good and one of my favorites).
I think I'll like "Caves of Steel" from what I've read online about it. I do tend to prefer stand-alone novels to series novels (unless the author is extremely good and one of my favorites).
I use these words pretty loosely. There's so much more to life than words.
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
--Over the Rhine, "Latter Days"
Formerly known as Neozephryus :)
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