In this collection, one of the great classics of science fiction, Asimov set out the principles of robot behavior that we know as the Three Laws of Robotics. Here are stories of robots gone mad, mind-reading robots, robots with a sense of humor, robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world, all told with Asimov's trademark dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction.

A millennium into the future, two advancements have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov's Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together. Like most people left behind on an over-populated Earth, New York City police detective Elijah Baley had little love for either the arrogant Spacers or their robotic companions. But when a prominent Spacer is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Baley is ordered to the Outer Worlds to help track down the killer. The relationship between Baley and his Spacer superiors, who mistrusted all Earthmen, was strained from the start. Then he learned that they had assigned him a partner: R. Daneel Olivaw. Worst of all was that the "R" stood for robot---and his positronic partner was made in the image and likeness of the murder victim!

A collection of 36 of Asimov's most important robot short stories and essays, from Robbie, his first robot story, and the tales of Susan Calvin and the detective team of Lije Bailey and R. Daneel Olivaw, to the title story, written specifically for this volume.

"Under the caverns of Mercury, Expedition Sundiver prepares for the most momentous voyage of history. A journey into the boiling inferno of the sun.. to seek our destiny in the cosmic order of life." -- Back cover.

Albert Morris is a private investigator. Actually, he's lots of private investigators, in a near future when anyone can send forth copies of themselves . Cheap, clay duplicates fulfill every legal task or illicit whim. It's a world of several billion real people - that also throngs with disposable dittos . And you would do it, too. With several cases on the go at once, it's crucial that a P.I. keep track of his many selves! But when Albert takes on a ring of bootleggers making illegal copies of a famous actress, he stumbles on a secret so explosive it triggers open warfare across Dittotown. A secret that might throw this delicately balanced world into chaos. Welcome to a shadowy world of kiln-baked golems, where memory itself is suspect and the line between life and death may no longer exist. Kiln People takes you to a future as thrilling as it is terrifying. A 2003 Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel.

Fifty years in the future, scientists race against time to mend a black hole in the Earth's core before it destroys the entire planet within two years

"In 1965, a mysterious beam of blue light descended from space, illuminating Northern California. This extraterrestrial beam possessed strange powers, causing those it touched to either die, go mad, or gain a unique, extraordinary ability. This newfound power represented the full actualization of human potential, bestowing strengths, understandings, and communication abilities far beyond normal human capacities. Those affected by the light were soon dubbed "Blues" and were segregated from society due to their superhuman abilities. United by their shared experiences, the Blues began searching for their purpose in the universe. However, an evil force known as the "Gray Man" soon emerged, setting the stage for a battle between good and evil. The Gray Man, originally Horace LaFontaine, was a character struck by the light at the moment of his death, revivified as a demon with a mission to annihilate the Blues. Once the Blues discovered their nemesis, they took refuge in the forests outside Northern California. Despite their efforts to hide, the Gray Man learned of their location through inside sources. Determined to confront their enemy, the Blues decided to declare war on the Gray Man. This epic battle, which takes place at the novel's climax, showcases the Blues utilizing their extraordinary powers to ultimately destroy the Gray Man. After their victory, the Blues settled into small cities in Northern California, integrating and living normal lives alongside the other residents of California"--

If the world were all inside of one building, there would be no concept of "outside". Silverberg explores a time worn idea of Science Fiction in his own unique way and makes it fresh again.

The essential companion to one of the most celebrated science fiction series of all time. Beginning with the novel Sundiver , David Brin introduced one of the most inventive, thought-provoking, and richly-imagined universes in all of science fiction. Now, Brin collaborates with acclaimed artist Kevyn Lenagh to present the definitive guide to the societies, technology, and species of his epic, award-winning series. Written as a handbook for Terran field agents, Contacting Aliens offers a detailed and comprehensive look at Uplift 's many alien races--from the friendly Tymbrimi to the warlike Tandu, the wise Kanten to the reptilian Soro, and the bureaucratic Hoon to the manipulative Thennanin. Readers will discover fascinating information about their physiology, psychology, and history; their clans and alliances; and their shifting attitudes toward Earth and its representatives. The volume also includes a history of Earth's contact with the Civilization of Five Galaxies, a look at its institutions, languages, and customs, plus a timeline of momentous events going back three billion years. Contacting Aliens is an essential reference work for Uplift fans, filled with never-before-seen illustrations that reveal the keys to the ambitious vision and bold speculation of the Uplift universe.

From Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Robert Silverberg comes, To Open The Sky. The Atom was their God-but there was something stronger... At the beginning of the 22nd century, Earth colonies were established on Mars and Venus. But the ultimate dream - to travel to the stars - was still an impossibility. Cults, fads, madnesses of various kinds swept the population. The maddest--and so far the most permanent--were the Vorst worshipers, the atom adorers, the believers in immortality through technology. Yet there were the Harmonists, who believed that technology could never do it. And the hatred between the two factions was too deep to be reconciled - until a conflict on Venus between a Vorster priest and his Harmonist opponent resulted in unexpected developments.

Known to millions as "Star Trek's" Captain Kirk, actor-director and bestselling author William Shatner returns to the stunning future world he created in "TekWar." Ex-cop Jake Cardigan is back. A synthetic plague is sweeping the city. And a top drug-control agent is brutally murdered by a reprogrammed human "zombie, " deadlier than an android assassin. For Jake, all roads lead to one fatal circle - the heart of a vast computerized drug ring, the masters of a savage and powerful underworld...the lair of the TekLords.

"Older fans will admire [Burstein's] dedication to remembering and honoring the past." -Publisher's Weekly The award-nominated stories in this collection will bring memories of the future flooding back. Two new stories and all-new afterwords enliven the past with a touch of the present and that which is yet to come. You don't need a collection of antique spaceships or a carefully calibrated time machine to share the memories of the final Holocaust survivor. You don't have to jump through the gate between universes in search of a lost friend. All you have to do is open your eyes. You'll remember the future. The future remembers you.

Rare Book

The Hugo Award-winning author of The Delirium Brief reveals the secrets of The Laundry Files in an adventure of Lovecraftian horror and espionage hi-jinks... As a newly appointed junior manager within the Laundry—the clandestine organization responsible for protecting Britain against supernatural threats—Bob Howard is expected to show some initiative to help the agency battle the forces of darkness. But shining a light on what’s best left in the shadows is the last thing Bob wants to do—especially when those shadows hide an occult parasite spreading a deadly virus. Traders employed by a merchant bank in London are showing signs of infection—an array of unusual symptoms such as super-strength and -speed, an uncanny talent for mind control, an extreme allergic reaction to sunlight, and an unquenchable thirst for blood. While his department is tangled up in bureaucratic red tape (and Buffy reruns) debating how to stop the rash of vampirism, Bob digs deeper into the bank’s history—only to uncover a blood-curdling conspiracy between men and monsters...

Computational demonologist Bob Howard is taking a much-needed break from the field to catch up on his filing in the Laundry archives when a top secret dossier known as the Fuller Memorandum vanishes—along with his boss, who the agency’s executives believe stole the file. Determined to discover exactly what the memorandum contained (and perhaps clear his boss), Bob runs afoul of Russian agents, ancient demons, and the apostles if a hideous faith who have plans to raise a very unpleasant undead entity known as the Eater of Souls. Now Bob must use all of his skills to learn the secret of the Fuller Memorandum in order to save the world—and avoid becoming an item on the Eater of Souls’s dinner menu…

For outstanding heroism in the field (despite himself), computational demonologist Bob Howard is on the fast track for promotion to management within the Laundry, the supersecret British government agency tasked with defending the realm from occult threats. Assigned to External Assets, Bob discovers the company (unofficially) employs freelance agents to deal with sensitive situations that may embarrass Queen and Country. So when Ray Schiller—an American televangelist with the uncanny ability to miraculously heal the ill—becomes uncomfortably close to the Prime Minister, External Assets dispatches the brilliant, beautiful, and entirely unpredictable Persephone Hazard to infiltrate the Golden Promise Ministries and discover why the preacher is so interested in British politics. And it’s Bob’s job to make sure Persephone doesn’t cause an international incident. But it’s a supernatural incident that Bob needs to worry about—a global threat even the Laundry may be unable to clean up…

A multinational games company recruit Tom, a smart, streetwise Dublin teenager, to get a team together and come to San Francisco to immerse themselves in a massive fantasy world, to eliminate an AI dragon that has gone rogue and is preventing the release of the game.

It's a spoof..... It's a look into today's tomorrow. In 1944 and 1946 Hugo Gernsback was publishing an electronics magazine that was titled Radio-Craft. You may or may not remember it. During this time, that same Hugo Gernsback send to many friends, associates, advertisers and others he deemed worthy, his forward looking little mini-magazines, which were takeoffs on his own publication. The first one, Mini Radio Craft, doubled was issued as a promotion for the Electronic Distribution Show. The second one, Radio-Cracy served as his 1944 Christmas Card. Both are fun, both predict things to come, and both are assembled here for those of us who did not have the honor of being on his mailing list. Enjoy!!!

Seal Books / Bantam Canadian edition, 1979. Paperback. Adventure novel about a group of teenagers stranded on a planet of mutants, genetically manipulated beings, and out-of-control robots. There is a sequel, "Heart of Red Iron" (1989).