Laughing Space: An Anthology of Science Fiction Humor

by Isaac Asimov (Editor/Contributor), J.O. Jeppson (Editor/Contributor), Janet Asimov (Editor/Contributor)

Collects a variety of humorous science fiction stories, poems, and cartoons by authors and cartoonists including Gahan Wilson, Robert Sheckley, and Russell Baker

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Anthologies

520 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Works of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles, The Foundation Trilogy (1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.

Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.

Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).

People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.

Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.

Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...

Reviews

[Fangirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is extremely funny and I like picking it up from time to time.

[Jordan Bethea · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good stories in here, though I would say that the large majority aren't really 'funny' per se, as much as wry or sardonic. I don't know if that's just me not understanding what Humor is supposed to be. There's some that could seem funny, but in context the weird things that happen just serve to enhance the horror/weirdness/unreality, kind of like when the Joker tells a funny joke to Batman.

Even with that caveat, I think it's fine. Not a lot that really stood out to me.

[Lyle Blosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

While nothing in this collection was "LOL" there were quite a few chuckles and wry smiles resulting from the read. I appreciated the variety of offerings, too, from prose to poetry to cartoons - nicely done.

[Andrew Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

You may find this to be better than 3... But I'm afraid this classic has become a little bit dated. The cartoons are, as intended, timeless, but the style of the stories is what I think the modern world would have a hard time identifying with.
If you are OVER 50, read for sure!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of my favs. I chuckle now just thinking of some of the stories that I read 20 years ago.

[SaraKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my favorite thing in here was "A Fuller Explanation of Original Sin". A very sciencey poem that was hilarious. I love the witty humor.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1982 volume of short Science Fiction humor is a mixed bag. Copyright material is dated from 1933 to 1979 and is a mixture of cartoons, poetry, and short stories. The most common sources seem to be Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Some authors were unknown to me but many are the best known names of 1950s and 1960s SF. Some of the material is dated by being overtaken by reality. Never side-splittingly funny, I found most of this 520 page book to be mildly, middle-of-the road funny.

[Lori Schiele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not usually my type of book, but it was the book my dad was reading when he passed away 3 weeks ago and I felt it my "duty" to finish reading it for him.
Honestly, I don't understand a lot of the stories--too technical or mathematical--but I'm slowly working my way through it in his honor. Would not have chosen it for myself, although there were a number of stories that I did enjoy.

[bluetyson]

isbn,original

[Hollis Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute drivel.