Janet AsimovBesprekingen

#524 in our old book database. Not rated.

NF

You may find this to be better than 3... But I'm afraid this classic has become a little bit dated. The cartoons are, as intended, timeless, but the style of the stories is what I think the modern world would have a hard time identifying with.
If you are OVER 50, read for sure!

Enjoyable book. It is a compilation of articles and quotes with commentary by the Asimov's. It is a fun quick read.

JANET E ISAAC ASIMOV formaron equipo en 1973 al contraer matrimonio, pero sólo habían colaborado en una antología de historietas y comics de ciencia-ficción. La señora Asimov, conocida profesionalmen-te como la Doctora Janet Jeppson, se graduó en la Universidad de Stan-ford y recibió su doctorado en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Nueva York. Actualmente trabaja en el Instituto de Psicoanálisis William Alanson White, donde es profesora y supervisora. Es también autora de dos novelas, así como de numerosos artículos y narraciones cortas.
Isaac Asimov empezó a interesarse por la ciencia-ficción a los nueve años de edad y se apasionó por este género a través de los años. Ya ha escrito más de 270 libros que cubren todas la ramas de la ciencia, entre los que destacan la serie Cómo descubrimos… (Ed. Molino), la serie sobre La Fundación i Plaza y Janes) y sus libros sobre robots que comenzó con Yo Robot (Edhasa). La serie Morby es la primera colaboración de este equipo de marido y mujer.

4/6/22

This appears to be a children's book but I know I enjoyed it when I read it at16. File under Guilty Pleasure I suppose. What's it about? Something about robots and dragons and I think there was a wizard or mad scientist of some sort.

A curious entry in the autobiographical material of Asimov's life. If you have no other resources, or your only other resource is the slim "I, Asimov", then you may find more enjoyment in this book. Personally, I found it to be a somewhat disjointed collection of excerpts from the longer autobiography that he wrote (I've read "In Memory Yet Green" and "In Joy Still Felt", which covered 1920-1978). Unfortunately, this is about the best you're going to find these days, especially if you're looking for a digital book. Ye olde paper books are rare and out of print as near as I can tell, so this is the best of what you can find, but don't think you've found the best.

A favorite of mine from childhood, with time travel and all the implications.

A funny and inspiring read about Isaac Asimov's life. I was surprised by the number of non-fiction books he has written and impressed by his passion for self-education and then passing knowledge on to others.
It was interested to read about his journey through life and his approach to writing. Since reading this, I definitely want to read more of his books.

It should be said right up front that this is sort of a strange book. This is not his autobiography as Asimov wrote it. During his life Asimov published three volumes of autobiography. After he died, his (second) wife edited these volumes, supplementing with letters she and Asimov exchanged, and also added an afterword. There is often very little and sometimes no transition between excerpts from his original volumes, which can be jarring. In places, it feels as if you're always coming in during the middle of a story. I do not know how much was cut out, or why, but given the strength of Asimov's writing on nearly every subject, I cannot imagine that the missing material was dry or uninteresting. Perhaps Janet (his wife) felt there was just too much of it.

That issue aside, Good Life is a fascinating and enjoyable read. I had enjoyed all of Asimov's work that I had read before -- The Foundation Trilogy and some of his robot stories, but I had absolutely no idea how tiny a portion of his writings this made up! He wrote hundreds of books -- both fiction and nonfiction, as well as edited probably dozens of anthologies and his own SF journal. While he was a scientist, he was a far better writer and educator than researcher, so it wasn't long before he managed to get out of his research duties altogether in order to devote himself to his true calling -- that of amassing, processing, and conveying information. He could become an expert on virtually any topic, write a book on it, then move on to the next interesting idea. As much as he is known for his SF, his fiction writing seemed often to be something that was squeezed in when time allowed rather than the focus of his life.

He's just plain brilliant and funny, and that comes across very well in this book. I was away from home for a few days while I read this, and I kept a list on the back of my bookmark of all the anecdotes and their page numbers that I had to read to Andrew when I got home.

Also included was his favorite short story (that he wrote), which was indeed wonderful (and which I cannot read aloud without at least verging on tears.) And in the afterword -- Janet reveals for the first time that what Asimov finally died of was AIDS (contracted via blood transfusion during an operation.) They kept it quiet for fear of prejudice, and because another public figure had recently revealed they had AIDS -- so they didn't feel the revelation would add anything to the cause or the public good.

I must just go back to say it was a particular joy to read Asimov speak of "the problem" of women in science fiction -- particularly why he had so few female characters in his early writing, but then as he was married and began to know other women professionally, his work included more and stronger women. I also really enjoyed when he briefly wrote about the other popular SF writers in that age of SF when Asimov, Heinlein, Dick, etc. were churning out novels. I would so love to read a history of that period -- those men and their relations, how their writing was affected by the Cold War and the dawn of nukes, etc. I wonder if such a book exists?

Anyway, even for the choppiness of some of the material, the uneven way different periods and subjects were treated, etc., on the whole, this book was pretty delightful. I was left convicted that I need to increase the size of my Asimov library -- and look for that book on the early greats of science fiction!

I learned (again) that Asimov's sense of humor doesn't coincide well with mine.

This is an autobiography put together by Asimov's wife using his own words from other writings and letters. It gives good insight into Asimov's thinking and personality with highlights of his life and major writings. The book includes his favorite short story in the Appendix along with a complete bibliography according to subject and indexed. Originally I got the book from the library, but decided to buy the ebook version for reference. You'll want to read this if you are an Asimov fan.

When Janet and Isaac write together, they put out very charming books. Robot, child, and pet rush off into the wild frontiers of space to have adventures. A good children's book.

I kind of enjoyed this haphazard collection of writing and life advice from the Asimovs. The opening and closing chapters were the best -- I found myself skimming some in the middle. Also, a lot of the Assimovs' concerns are very 20th century. We hardly ever have to buy stamps any more!

I grew up reading the Norby comics that were published in Boy's Life Magazine, so I was fast to pick up a book that featured my favorite mixed-up robot. But for some reason, I never read the whole thing, so it's been sitting in my to-read pile for years, traveling from bookshelf to bookshelf, getting packed away with other unread books, just waiting for me to get back to it. Finally decided it was time.

The Norby series is definitely meant for a younger audience. The adventures follow young Jeff Wells, who owns Norby and has a group of friends that help keep Norby's existence a secret (including an Admiral and a police officer) so he isn't experimented on by scientists interested in the secret of his hyperdrive. This particular book collects the third and fourth stories in the series, Norby and the Lost Princess and Norby and the Invaders.

While firmly set in the sci-fi genre, there is also a heavy element of fantasy to the series. The planet of Jamya is mentioned frequently, a planet of bioengineered intelligent dragons, and Norby's original home. While it was strange jumping into the middle of these stories, there is enough explanation for anyone who hasn't read parts 1 and 2 to follow along and catch themselves up in the backstory.

These are fun tales, and reading them transported me back to my own childhood a little bit.

Minulla on ollut onni viime aikoina saada lukea joko loistavia tai vähintään sujuvia nuortenkirjoja, lähinnä iltasatumateriaalina. Nyt sitten pakasta vedettiin se väistämätön heikompi esitys. Janet Asimovin kirja Norby, seonnut robotti limbosi riman alta varsin uutterasti. Hänen miehensä Isaac Asimov, jossain määrin kuuluisampi kirjailija heistä kahdesta, on tiemmä sanonut vain hieman viilanneensa Norby-kirjojen käsikirjoituksia ja että hänen nimensä on kannessa lähinnä markkinointisyistä. En kyllä usko, että kirja olisi ollut juurikaan parempi, vaikka Isaacilla olisi ollut isompi rooli.

Kirjan päähenkilöitä ovat Jeff Wells, Avaruusakatemian 14-vuotias kadetti, ja tämän hankkima eksentrinen robotti Norby. Jeff kyllä näyttää 18-vuotiaalta, tiedä sitten mistä syystä – tarinan kannalta sillä ei kuitenkaan ollut tärkeää merkitystä. Kummankin luonne on varsin ohut, muttei kuitenkaan niin ohut kuin sivuhenkilöillä, joihin lukeutuvat Jeffin isoveli Fargo, Akatemian johtaja Amiraali Yobo, täysin hengetön naispoliisi Albany Jones ja pahvista rakennettu pahis Ing Itsekäs. Kaarti on niin heikko, että loppua kohden jo ärsytti.

Juonikin on melkoista huttua. Aurinkokunnan etsityin terroristi Ing tulee ja valloittaa Manhattanin ja kyykyttää aurinkokunnan kollektiivisen sotilaallisen mahdin. Jotenkin lopputuloksena pitäisi olla Ingin julistaminen keisariksi. Se ainokainen tyyppi, jolla on langat käsissään, nimittäin Amiraali Yobo, istuu käsiensä päällä ja jättää kriisin ratkaisun törmäilevän pennun ja tämän kajahtaneen metalliystävän harteille. Jostain syystä Ing vielä haluaa Jeffin veljen Fargon nalkkiin. Kai Fargo sitten on jonkinlainen James Bond, joka yksinään pystyy sotkemaan pahimmankin megalomaanikon suunnitelmat. Mitä hä?

Armollisesti kirja oli vain 120 sivua pitkä, mutta kyllä senkin ääneen lukemiseen turhaantui turhan paljon aikaa. Sanoisin muuten, että kirjan paras kohta oli se kun se loppui, mutta valitettavasti tämä olisi vale. Viime sivuilla oli meinään sellainen läjä sukupuoliasenteellista superlannoitetta, ettei paremmasta väliä. Kun Ing on kukistettu, Yobo kehuu miehiään. Albany Jones huomauttaa, että puolet Manhattanin taisteluun osallistuneista poliiseista oli kylläkin naisia. Yobo paikkaa lausuntoaan sanomalla, että kyse oli vanhanaikaisesta sanonnasta ja myös hänen sotilaistaan on puolet naisia. Mietin hetken, että onko tämä jokin hyvin kömpelö ja alkeellinen yritys tuoda tasa-arvoa esiin.

Heti perään Yobo kommentoi Albanyn univormun repeytyneen juuri strategisista paikoista ja kehuu tämän muotoja, johon Fargo kuittaa, että kankaanliuottajallakin saa kaikenlaista aikaan, mutta sellaiset ihailut kuuluvat väin hänelle. Näin kolmenkymmenen vuoden päästä tulevaisuudesta voin vain kiekaista, että mitä helvettiä. Tuota esineellistävämpää kuvailua olisi tuskin voinut lastenkirjassa käyttää, ja rajummat kuvailut olisivat nostaneet jo ikärajaa. Tässä kohtaa teki mieli nakata kirja nurkkaan, mutta jäljellä oli vain kolme sivua. Mieleen kyllä etsimättä nousi ne tarinat scifin suurmiehestä Isaac Asmovista, joka katsoi oikeudekseen nipistellä naisia, olivat he sitten faneja tai kirjoittajatovereita.

Kerronta oli köyhää, hahmot stereotyyppisiä, juoni pökkelö ja asenteet vinoutuneita. Kirja kyllä jää, kaikesta huolimatta, hyllyyn, koska kerään kirjoja, mutta sen lukemista en kyllä suosittele kenellekään. Parempaakin on tarjolla. Vaatikaa parempaa. Lukekaa parempaa.

This book is about the life and times of Isaac Asimov, one of the most influentional authors in science fiction. I picked up this book several years ago for my social studies certification course. We had to pick a biography/autobiography to due a report on. I didnot want to pick the typical books on historical figures, since that was what everyone elso does. I choose to do mine on Asimov, sicne I enjoyed his writings since I began reading science fiction. This book is a great example of telling the history of a segment of society most donn't talk about. Asimov's life covers a large part of the 20th century, from the Depression, several wars, atomic testing, the space program, and all to way to his death during the time of the AIDS crisis. If it were not for the fact that he is so connected with his work in science fiction, more people would be aware of his work in science and education. His use of combining words with his own thoughts on science and philosophy put him in the same catagory as Rachael Carson. I would highly recommend this book for english, science, and social studies.

Not as bad as I thought it might be. Interesting, albeit brief, discussion about why the baddy, Ing, wants to take over the world---he thinks he can do a better, tidier job of running things. Also, Asimov's three laws of robotics are mentioned. Written by Isaac Asimov and his second wife, Janet. Feels like it's meant to be a boy's book.½

When young Jeff Wells heads to a secondhand robot store to buy a teaching robot to assist him in his education at the Space Academy, he finds Norby, an eccentric robot with a big personality and mysterious origin, and the two quickly become friends. Norby the Mixed-up Robot follows Jeff and Norby as they learn about each other and work to stop an invasion of Manhattan by the villainous Ing the Ingrate. The story is a quick, fun read that focuses more on the characters of Jeff and especially Norby (the plot is wrapped up quickly and neatly)--which is a good thing. References to Isaac Asimov's robot fiction--positronic brains, the Laws of Robotics--are both amusing in-jokes and add some depth to the story. Though the story doesn't have a great deal of depth, it's still an enjoyable little book.

Very good collection of humorous science fiction - short stories, poetry, comics.

A cute story, one that younger audiences will love. A good one to read aloud! Pay attention to the clever quips, those are enjoyable by many ages. :)

Am I the only person who thought this was truly excruciatingly bad?

I checked it out from the library to read with my eight year old daughter, and we only made it through the first four chapters or so. By that point it was clear that we had many, many, many better things on which to spend our shared reading time. And I am an Asimov fan. The writing was a very strange combination of infantile sentence construction loaded with over-her-head vocabulary.

This YA series about Norby, the Mixed-Up Robot, was one of my favorite reads as a child, not to mention my introduction to Isaac Asimov (even if Janet actually did do all the writing). Occasionally, I come upon paperback versions in used bookstores that collect two of them together, and I snatch them up instantly. This one collects Norby and the Queen's Necklace (what I remembered as my favorite) and Norby Finds a Villain. It's excellent YA literature, with a decent breadth of imagination on display in just these two stories. Jeff and Norby and a variety of other characters find themselves in the near future, pre-Revolutionary France, Roman times, prehistoric times, far-future utopias, far-future dystopias, hyperspace, aberrant future versions of Mars, and dangerous alternate realities just within the confines of these two short tales! Norby himself is as fun as ever, and the supporting cast doesn't disappoint. The Queen's Necklace isn't quite as good as I remember (not all of the temporal shenanigans actually work out in the end), but it's solid fun, as is Finds a Villain. (originally written December 2007)

It's hard to believe we've been without him since the early nineties. I can't resist quoting with 100% approval from p 20: "I have never, not for one moment, been tempted toward religion of any kind. The fact is that I feel no spiritual void. I have my philosophy of life, which does not include any aspect of the supernatural and which I find totally satisfying. I am, in short, a rationalist and believe only that which reason tells me is so."