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.

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 Science Fiction

While the stories are dated because of when they were written they still are good Science Fiction. Asimov rarely disappoints.

Classic Old School Science Fiction

This is a collection of short stories revolving around a central character, a robot psychologist who is about to retire. She reminisces to a reporter and the stories represent the events she is telling the reporter about, although as told by a narrator other than the psychologist. All of the stories turn on the Three Rules of Robotics, which I’m sure another review or two have spelled out elsewhere.

This book in the first in the series and although I have not read the others (yet), I can tell you the story in the Will Smith movie is not found in this book or any of the others. Characters, situations, and ideas from this book do appear in that movie, but the idea of a violent robot uprising runs contrary to the theme in this book of robots not generally being able to harm humans. Though, the final story in this book suggests robots may be able to subtly manipulate mankind to their mutual benefit.

The stories are mostly clever and fun. The dialogue, the ways the characters interact, and the underlying “science”, now seem quaint of course. But younger readers will still enjoy this sci-fi classic if they suspend the part of their mind struggling with that and just enjoy the stories themselves.

I recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of vintage sci fi.

Thoughtful Science Fiction

Many people miss entirely the point of this book, which is not "Man-vs-Machine" nor "This is what the future is going to be like". It's about the moral implications of creating conscious beings, of playing god, of becoming evolution's second favorite child. So what if Asimov guesses the population wrong 60 years ahead of his time! The book is not about guessing the future or predicting advances in technology, and if you read it in that mindset you will be disappointed. "I, Robot" is more "1984" than "Star Wars", and it is a true science fiction classic.

YES

Amazingly profound and interconnected prophecy with iconic characters, performed with a suitably 50's feel and the right emotion.

Great Stuff!

I've read I Robot at least a dozen times and this is my first audiobook of the work. I thoroughly enjoyed it.