Nightfall and other stories

by Isaac Asimov

Book Overview

A collection of twenty classic short stories by Isaac Asimov, author of the Foundation series, featuring the definitive and only in-print version of "Nightfall" From one of history's most influential... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0007ELKOO
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Fawcett Publications
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Not Free SF Reader

Asimov talks here about how Nightfall the story began to make him known, and how before this book came out he had not included it in a collection due to frequent anthology appearances. He also talks in some detail about each entry's publication. Later on he writes more than once about writing in a humorous style. This collection only a 3.23 average. Nightfall and Other Stories : Nightfall - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Green Patches - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Hostess - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Breeds There a Man? - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : The C-Chute - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : In a Good Cause-- - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : What If - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Sally - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Flies - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Nobody Here But-- - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Its Such a Beautiful Day - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Strikebreaker - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Insert Knob A in Hole B - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : The Up-to-Date Sorcerer - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Unto the Fourth Generation - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : What Is This Thing Called Love? - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : The Machine That Won the War - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : My Son the Physicist! - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Eyes Do More Than See - Isaac Asimov Nightfall and Other Stories : Segregationist - Isaac Asimov Media and religion struggle with science. Still. 4 out of 5 Lack of grouping relief. 3 out of 5 Doctor, Doctor, can't give them the news, we're full of mind parasites that kill them fools. 4 out of 5 Doctor, Doctor, can't give them the news, we're full of mind parasites that kill them fools. 3 out of 5 Mental giant experiment. 3 out of 5 Jumping into space escape is a gas. 3.5 out of 5 Diaboli political protest. 3.5 out of 5 Marriage party possibilities. 3 out of 5 Robocar protection. 4 out of 5 Beelzebub bloke. 3.5 out of 5 Junior stopping galoot. 3.5 out of 5 Mekkano instructions. 3 out of 5 Outcast negotiator. 3 out of 5 Hard to RTFM. 3 out of 5 Endocrinology attraction. 3 out of 5 Ancestral spelling. 2.5 out of 5 Flying saucer guys not norg men. 4 out of 5 Coin flip strategy. 3 out of 5 Female communication strategy advice. 3 out of 5 Art does Matter. 3 out of 5 Metallo wannabes. 3 out of 5 3.5 out of 5

Legendary as Always

Once again, Isaac Asimov has proved to me that he is amazing. His stories have everything that I want from science fiction: intriguing plotlines, philosophical relevance, interesting ideas, believability - even humour. I read this book quickly; most of the stories are incredible although there are a few which didn't quite hit the mark with me. I got this book secondhand for the title story, Nightfall, which is quite well known. The only problem is that this book is out-of-print; however, I would recommend any Asimov you can get your hands on. There are twenty stories in the book in all. I found "Nightfall" itself a bit overrated. After hearing so much about how mindblowing it was, I found it rather predictable, although compared to most other science-fiction fairly decent (the story is also based on a quote from Emerson, whom I am completely in love with). I loved almost all of the stories; although I have some comments to make about some of them. In particularly, I loved "Hostess", "In A Good Cause-" (although I disagreed with the political implications), and "What is This Thing Called Love?" (nothing is funnier than making fun of Playboy). But really, they are all great. Isaac Asimov makes my day. Several times over.

Another incredible piece by Asimov...

What an incredible book. Filled to the brim with terrific short stories, Asimov completely engrosses you in the lives and situations of the characters in these stories in only 30 pages. Some have twist endings that truly surprise and thrill. Others are good looks at technology and the like in a nutshell, developed too far. I would absolutely recommend Nightfall & Other stories- Nightfall is the classic about a world who never sees darkness- surrounded by numerous suns, and how it affects its inhabitants. A must read for any science fiction fan- Asimov doesn't disappoint!

Title story, excellent; the rest, a mixed bag

The classic title story of this collection of short fiction, Nightfall, was voted the best science fiction short story of all-time. It is a classic of the field, and a masterpiece of atmosphere. Anyone who calls theirself a science fiction fan and has not read it is merely posing. This book, for most readers, then, is worth picking up for that story alone. That said, despite its classic status, the rest of this collection, though it does have its moments, does not reach the high standards set by the title story. Other winners include the classic and oft-anthologized It's Such A Beautiful Day and the rendering and chilling "Breeds There A Man...?" There are other stories of quality in this book, but, unfortunately, they are not among Asimov's best. Like his contemporary Grand Master, Arthur C. Clarke, as Asimov got further and further into his writing career, though his novels remained excellent, his short stories began to falter: many of them seem infected with an over-eager attempt at cleverness. While this often makes for some amusing stories (Strikebreaker, What If..., What Is This Thing Called Love?), it does not often make for classics. Thus, while this collection is certainly good - and the title story is an absolute must-read - it is not Asimov's best short story collection (try Nine Tomorrows or one of the Robot anthologies for that.) If you are a die-hard Asimov fan, I recommend picking this up; however, if you are a casual reader, or new to the good Doctor, or perhaps just want to read Nightfall, then I suggest you pick up a more wide-ranging collection such as The Complete Stories.

Nightfall and other stories

In the past century there have been countless anthologies in the field of SF. This one is the paramount. The Grand Master of SF assembeles tales that range from cynical humor to predictions of the future, to just generaly great stories. From the tile story Nightfall to my personal favorite Sally, this book will hold you captivated not just once, but over and over again.