I, Robot

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-read 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 Asmiov’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 changed our perception of robots forever when he formulated the laws governing their behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot through a series of interlinked stories: 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.

©1950, 1977 Isaac Asimov (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

fun stories

Pleasant stories, Scott Brick is an incredible narrator.
Asminov was such a talent.
loved listening to these.
I am sad that I am done.

A sociological twister

The story is not at all as I expected, but that ended up a good thing. This story is less sci-fi and more sociological and psychological thinker. It makes you really question the premises of society and what humans consider normal aspects of society. It's a bit dated, making you think back to what life was like just after World War II, but it also fits in with the modern world news that has been happening lately (2022).

I will warn those who are wondering - it is nothing like the movie. The movie doesn't come close - it just uses Asimov's "rules" as a basis for its own story.

The growth of the robot

This book is a great book on robots. from the time they began with a positronic brain to a point where they helped a vert major issues with human kind. you have to keep in mind Isaac Asimov wrote this back in the '50s. it's amazing the thought he put into these books.

why wasn't THIS turned into a film?

I fell in love with Isaac asimov's writings when I was 11 and 30 years later I finally decided it was time to read/listen to this. I only wish I had listened to it sooner. left me wanting so much more in all the good ways.

Wonderful

Lovely, intelligent storytelling and a good performance. It was too easy to finish, I wish it were longer.

A spooky future book

i love this book! writing this review in 2023, i feel like this work describes a reality soon to be realized. it’s wild that he published it back in 1950. god speed emergent behaviors

Asimov strikes gold

Asimov peers into present day from the 1950's, and grapples with moral issue pertaining to the use of artificial intelligence in our society. He shows glimpses into the interplay of humanity and technology that we have generally not thought to contemplate. If you are so inclined I suggest you read or listen to the entirety of the "Robot" series.

Classic Book, Excellent Narration

The book is a classic and if you haven't read it -- you won't be dissapointed with the picture of the future it paints.

The narration is excellent along with the audio quality.

The only minus -- it bears the image of Will Smith from the movie "I, Robot." The movie has 0.0% to do with the book, is the opposite of it in many ways with its hordes of killer robots. Dr. Asimov must be rolling in his grave.

Pleasure to listen to

I had never read any of Asimov's books, despite having heard him as my college commencement speaker in the 70's. This book is really a collection of great short stories that is no less current now than when it was written. THis really is a pleasure to listent to. I wholeheartly agree with the other glowing reviews here.

Sizzling Saturn indeed!

I have never seen the big new Hollywood movie, but from the trailer (and even from the book cover) I can see it has nothing to do with the book. And this intrigues me! Not only is this book full of what makes good science fiction good-- an eerily accurate foresight into attitudes (if not technologies) of the future-- it also becomes an inadvertant critique of what we call entertainment today (see also The Island of Dr. Moreau and The Time Machine).

A surprising element popped out to me: this book is very much like The Martian Chronicles. In essence, it is a series of short stories that follows the development of the use of robotics in the future. The Martian Chronicles, considered one of Ray Bradbury's best, follows human occupation of Mars. Neither came close to being true, but both explore some very real human developments, such as our attitudes toward religion and a desire for simplicity.