Robot Visions

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Graham Winton

Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the writer whose name is synonymous with the science of robotics comes five decades of robot visions - 36 landmark stories and essays, plus three rare tales - gathered together in one volume.

Meet all of Asimov's most famous creations: Robbie, the very first robot that his imagination brought to life; Susan Calvin, the original robot physchologist; Stephen Byerley, the humanoid robot; and the famous human-robot detective team of Lije Baley and R. Daneel Olivaw, who appeared in such best-selling novels as The Robots of Dawn and Robots and Empire. Let the master himself guide you through the key moments in the fictional history of robot-human relations - from the most primitive computers and mobile machines to the first robot to become a man.

©1990 Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Inc. (P)2015 Recorded Books

Minor Spoilers Ahead

At the end of the short stories there are a few essays by Asimov about robots. Be aware that some excerpts from the 'Robot' and 'Foundation' series are included. It is precisely because of those essays that this is a must read for any Asimov fan.

7 people found this helpful

3 Laws of Robotics

As far as I know, this collection features ALL of Asimov's short stories that involve robots asand Asimov's "3 Laws".
The book actually OPENS with a "new", previously unpublished story. It's actually one of the best in the entire collection, so it's nice to see that old Ike hasn't lost his touch.
Isaac Asimov's HAS published hundreds and hundreds of robot sci-fi, but a good majority of those works aren't actually WRITTEN by Asimov, he was only the editor.
"Robot Visions" is a collection of ONLY the stories that were penned by the author himself. None of any of the stories in which he merely edited appear within its pages.

I had read MOST of these stories in previous robot collections released under Isaac Asimov, but it was really great to find a few that I was previously unaware of.

The narrator does a bang-up job too. The voices he gives to each of the robots is pretty much petfect. Even "Bicentennial Man", a story by Asimov that I had never really cared for before, comes through with shining colors, all thanks to good narration.

Definitely pick this title up if you are ANY format of science fiction fan.

9.10 / 10.00

21 people found this helpful

Foresight

The Stories are great but the essays are the real jewel of this crown collection

4 people found this helpful

I do love Isaac's Robot stories.

The Essays at the end give a nice incite to his thinking. The story are varied and hold the interest. I have not read the "Robot City's" stories. I do hope you publish that set .

3 people found this helpful

from 1939 to 1990 Asimov is sci-fi's best

Asimov provides a glimpse of his history and humanity in describing the robot and goals. Remember his first robot story came out in 1939 - long before computers were even a serious thought.

very disappointing. the original audio was better.

I listened to these long ago when first on tape. the reader was much better. only thing I can say here is this one was better than the author read.

great as always

a good listen . Asimov is always entertaining plus I love the robot series.

A must read for ANYONE!

What made the experience of listening to Robot Visions the most enjoyable?

Every story makes you think about not only your life but how you would react to the situations. You will question yourself and come out a better person. On top of that Asimov is a master and even though some of these stories are from the 40's they remain relevant.

Who was your favorite character and why?

THE ROBOTS, some of his human characters are great but the really intriguing ones were the robots and how they navigated the 3 laws of robotics.

What about Graham Winton’s performance did you like?

I wish it was Scott Brick or an ensemble cast would have best. Winston does a good job just not great.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I do not want to say but there are two stories with the same two humans dealing with robot problems. The continuity and how they overcome/deal with the problems are great. I do not want to give away my favorite story so you will just have to listen.

Any additional comments?

Asimov's books are must reads, especially his short stories on robots. If you are looking for something great to read pick this up, it will not disappoint.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful

Truly an inspiration to humanity and what a wonderful narrator a must listen as it is if not for the wow factor of the predictions of technology written so long ago.

1 person found this helpful

Thought provoking

Stories and essays about the future interactions between people and robots (including robots with no bodies called computers). The stories are fun with logic, and essays are made me laugh with surprise at how accurate his visions of the future were.

1 person found this helpful

Fantastic

Fascinating man a real inspiration. Listening to his stories and to think some were written nearly 80years ago and so relevant today.

5 people found this helpful

Great selection, but too limited

Great selection, didn't have all the stories referenced in the essays at the end.

3 people found this helpful

Odd choice of actor

Many of the characters have New York or other American accents, yet the voice actor makes them all sound the same and all sound like the love child of a General Robert E Lee and Colonel Sanders.