I, Robot

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Scott Brick

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

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

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.

Heavily marked by the 50s perspective

If you don't mind the historical context, the stories presented (this is a collection of stories with a common theme, being robots and their influence on the society at large, mind you - not a regular novel) the choice of topics is quite interesting and makes for a rather nice philisophical discourse upon the subject.

Loved this book, made my dislike the movie, though

I loved this book all the way through it. I liked the characters, the robots and how the world was portrayed. I also loved the narrator, he did an amazing job with this title.

My only complaint is now I don't like the movie as much. It goes against the book in a lot of regards which would have been fine if it didn't include the same characters. I wish they would have done a TV Show based more closely on the book.

Rethinking the age of robot

Now that we are living in the age of advanced robotics and AI, I wanted to go back to the early thoughts and imagination on what the robots can do. How ironical it is that the three rules of robotics could in the end become the master of our future. I enjoyed the audio book

Timeless classic!

I read this book when I was 13 and 37 years later it still is a great book by Isaac Asimov. it's interesting that his concepts are still true today

Great story!

Love the story! I felt like the recording could have been of a higher quality.

good book

good book but no will smith tho. could have done with at least 15% more will smith