I, Robot - Isaac Asimov

I, Robot

By Isaac Asimov

  • Release Date: 1991-11-01
  • Genre: High Tech Sci-Fi
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 657 Ratings

Description

This classic science fiction masterwork by Isaac Asimov weaves stories about robots, humanity, and the deep questions of existence into a novel of shocking intelligence and heart.
 
“A must-read for science-fiction buffs and literature enjoyers alike.”—The Guardian

I, Robot, the first and most widely read book in Asimov’s Robot series, forever changed the world’s perception of artificial intelligence. Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-reading robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world—all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asimov’s trademark. 

The Three Laws of Robotics:
1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov formulated the laws governing robots’ behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future—a  future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.

“Tremendously exciting and entertaining . . . Asimov dramatizes an interesting question: How can we live with machines that, generation by generation, grow more intelligent than their creators and not eventually clash with our own invention?”—The Chicago Tribune

Reviews

  • Asimov's Short Story Masterpiece

    5
    By Dwardeng
    Everyone of these robot stories are masterfully written. We haven't yet developed robots as sophisticated as those in these stories, but when we do, you can be assured that a lot of the situations depicted here will become reality. Issac was way ahead of his time.
  • One of his best

    5
    By Big- Eric
    Isaac Asimov was one of the very best writers of all time.
  • An avid reader

    5
    By Loeoeo
    This book provides depth and provokes a great deal of thought concerning Asmov's universe. It describes the society with robots before the caves of steel cites and as such parallels most with our own culture. While in minor details the movie fits with the book, such as the Nestor robots, the underlying themes all but contradict the book. While I do enjoy the movie the two need to be utterly separated which might do well to start with taking will smith off the cover of a book which he has no relation to.
  • Great book

    5
    By krreagan
    This is one of the greatest novels of all time. Well thought out and imaginative. This is the book that started me reading as a child. The movie, while entertaining and within the same universe, glosses over finer points and tries to blend too much into a single action movie and is much less thought provoking even though the story is consistent with the robot novels universe. I agree that the publisher should revert to an original cover since this book is not the story explored in the movie and will likely confuse those not familiar with the situation. RPR
  • I Robot

    3
    By InsJavert
    A bit slow. Isaac Asimov was a very deliberate and detailed writer. But once you get into these delightful short stories, you are in for a delightful ride of brain teasers. Asimov plays with human prejudices, greed, and all the rest of our short comings and throws in the perfect machine...a robot. We will love and hate them. We need them and fear them. The are precise and we are greatly imperfect. What a combination, almost two separate worlds that are trying to come together. These separate realms must somehow co-exist while all the time mankind must remain superior. A lot of fun going through theses mind bending stories.
  • The originator of robots does it best !

    4
    By Siul1031
    An amazing and very cerebral read with ideas far more complex than any movie portrays ! Read the book the movie is something entirely different and based only on the 3 Laws which govern all Asimov robot books !
  • Great book!

    5
    By Jams07sud
    I was caught with the short but deep stories of this sci-fi book.