I, Asimov: A Memoir

By Isaac Asimov

Arguably the greatest science fiction writer who ever lived, Isaac Asimov also possessed one of the most brilliant and original minds of our time. His accessible style and far-reaching interests in subjects ranging from science to humor to history earned him the nickname “the Great Explainer.” I. Asimov is his personal story—vivid, open, and honest—as only Asimov himself could tell it.

Here is the story of the paradoxical genius who wrote of travel to the stars yet refused to fly in airplanes; who imagined alien universes and vast galactic civilizations while staying home to write; who compulsively authored more than 470 books yet still found the time to share his ideas with some of the great minds of our century. Here are his wide-ranging thoughts and sharp-eyed observations on everything from religion to politics, love and divorce, friendship and Hollywood, fame and mortality. Here, too, is a riveting behind-the-scenes look at the varied personalities—Campbell, Ellison, Heinlein, Clarke, del Rey, Silverberg, and others—who along with Asimov helped shape science fiction.

As unique and irrepressible as the man himself, I. Asimov is the candid memoir of an incomparable talent who entertained readers for nearly half a century and whose work will surely endure into the future he so vividly envisioned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 23, 2009
• ISBN: 9780307573537

Reviews for I, Asimov

[tracy_tomkowiak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the first books I ever purchased at Borders. Asimov is a great writer. Strange but True: I don't own any of his fiction.

[razinha-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Asimov certainly had no lack of self confidence but was quick to point out his own shortcomings. A nice, if long, read in which Asimov shares his memories and thoughts on his life. Reading about Lester del Rey, John Campbell, Pohl, Sprague de Camp, Heinlein and so many associated with the early years of science fiction through Asimov's lens adds to my list of authors I want to get to in the next few years (Asimov's Robot and Foundation arc in 2011, Heinlein now in 2012 and Clarke for 2013, then?)

Good stuff.

[ikeman100 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A book written by a guy who loves to write, talk and give speeches. Sure he loves to toot his own and I loved every page. Great book if you are a fan of his works.

[john257hopper · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the third volume of autobiography produced by the great SF writer and scientist, a more thematic and distilled version of a two volume autobiography he had produced some ten years previously. It is very long, over 500 pages, divided into some 166 very short chapters, each dealing with a theme or a significant person in his life. For the most part, this style worked for me, though occasionally it felt a bit bitty. I only discovered Asimov's SF in 1987 and spent the next few years devouring them (the Foundation saga, then the empire novels, then the robot novels), with several of them becoming among my all time favourite novels. I was gutted when he was died in early 1992. This autobiography brings across well the vast range of his writing interests, and his desire for a simple and peaceful life, with an antipathy towards travelling. I found his descriptions of his declining years quite difficult to read. While he was 72 when he died, given a few differences, he could have lived longer and given us more great works.

[jerry2book-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My son was reading Foundation for his English class. I decided to read his memoirs. I had read his books as a teenager. He wrote this as he was dying. Nonetheless, his description of the growth of the Science Fiction community is fascinating: the Futurians, Heinlein, Campbell, the Back Door Spiders, etc.

[booksfordinner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just a wonderful auto-bio in which AA talks about simply everything with his usual understated candor. A very funny and talented man.

[nmele_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This late memoir differs from the late Asimov's two volume autobiography in that it is something of a commentary on his life rather than just the story of his life. It is interesting, among other things, for what the good Doctor Asimov reveals about his marital troubles, his medical history and his sore spots, e.g., the scars left by anti-Semitism in higher education and the cost of being intelligent enough to always be the youngest, often by several years, in high school and college.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My Goodness, it's a pun! And also a reference to his principal hit! And that's isaac, maximizing his talents and giving us a pretty honest autobiography. The place that he held as a science popularizer will be very hard to fill, and the affection born in millions of fans will take a very long time to fade!

[traveller1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fascinating read. Asimov's autobiography convinced me that he was a great writer. His idea of a great day was to arrive early at the post office, collect and go through his mail, and then retire to his attic where he would write into the evening. Yet, he led a rich and varied life. His story, about himself, his world, and the people in it, reveal a worthy life.

[karenmerguerian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An easy read, this memoir consists of roughly chronological musings on various topics and people who have meant something to Asimov during his lifetime. It gives you a real taste of the man's personality, his inquisitiveness, his willingness to question and learn throughout his life, and yes, his flaws, about which he is very frank.