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Conversations with Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), one of the most popular and influential American authors of the twentieth century, sparked the imagination of generations of writers. His "Foundation" trilogy paved the way for science fiction that was more speculative and philosophical than had been previously seen in the genre, and his book "I, Robot" and his story "The Bicentennial Man" have been made into popular movies. First published as a teenager in John W. Campbell's groundbreaking science-fiction magazine "Astounding, Asimov published over two hundred books during his lifetime. While most prolific writers tend to concentrate almost exclusively on a single genre, Asimov was a polymath who wrote widely on a variety of subjects. He authored mysteries, autobiographies, histories, satires, companions to Shakespeare, children's books on science, and collections of bawdy limericks. A lifelong atheist, he neverthe-less wrote more than a half dozen books on the Bible.
Asimov's varied interests establish him as a premier public intellectual, one who was frequently called upon to clarify debates in science, in history, and on the effects of technology on the modern age. "Conversations with Isaac Asimov" collects interviews with a man considered to be -- along with Robert Heinlein, A. E. van Vogt, and Arthur C. Clarke -- a founder of modern science fiction. Despite this, Asimov is perhaps best known for his many books of popular science writing. Carl Sagan once described Asimov as the greatest explainer of his age, and this talent made Asimov a natural for the interview form. His manner is always crisp and lucid, his tone always engaging, and his comments always enlightening.
Asimov's varied interests establish him as a premier public intellectual, one who was frequently called upon to clarify debates in science, in history, and on the effects of technology on the modern age. "Conversations with Isaac Asimov" collects interviews with a man considered to be -- along with Robert Heinlein, A. E. van Vogt, and Arthur C. Clarke -- a founder of modern science fiction. Despite this, Asimov is perhaps best known for his many books of popular science writing. Carl Sagan once described Asimov as the greatest explainer of his age, and this talent made Asimov a natural for the interview form. His manner is always crisp and lucid, his tone always engaging, and his comments always enlightening.
170 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 10, 2025
Asimov gave not a lot of interviews because it distracted him from writing. Would he have counted this collection of interviews as a book written by him? Probably yes. Writing for him was a kind of bad habit. But writing as many books as possible was definitely not a very good idea.
He talks about it in quite a few of these conversations. So he did count the anthologies where he sometimes would write not more than a forward. So he came up with nearly 500 books. Some biographer should one day decide what counts as a book written by him. Interestingly the editor of this book presents a purged list of only 169 books. Still a lot.
So Asimov died over thirty years ago and he is still in print. But the books that are in print are his SF novels. He knew that would be the case and he wanted to be read after his dead so why did he publish all these junk books. We will never know.
Most of the things he says in these conversations he had in one form or another in some of his autobiographical writings and there is also a lot of repetition. An still, I loved reading every line (and wished they would have with some more original questions at the same time.)
He mentions that it takes him a day to write an essay for F&SF. Seventeen of those made up one book. So you can see how he managed to publish 20 books a year. A weekly science column of 800 words he would write before breakfast every Saturday.
He is in favour of space explorations but thinks that it should be done from the people living in a moon colony. What a pity. We are in 2025 and still no colony on the Moon.
But we do have access to universal knowledge. Right in our pocket. And here the good Doctor was certainly wrong. He thought that people would be glad to learn if they were not dependent on teachers.
Also interesting when he talks of the bad side of a good memory saying he remembers every instance when he did something bad. Although the examples he quotes are sort of harmless. Maybe he was not as honest as he managed to give the impression.
He talks about it in quite a few of these conversations. So he did count the anthologies where he sometimes would write not more than a forward. So he came up with nearly 500 books. Some biographer should one day decide what counts as a book written by him. Interestingly the editor of this book presents a purged list of only 169 books. Still a lot.
So Asimov died over thirty years ago and he is still in print. But the books that are in print are his SF novels. He knew that would be the case and he wanted to be read after his dead so why did he publish all these junk books. We will never know.
Most of the things he says in these conversations he had in one form or another in some of his autobiographical writings and there is also a lot of repetition. An still, I loved reading every line (and wished they would have with some more original questions at the same time.)
He mentions that it takes him a day to write an essay for F&SF. Seventeen of those made up one book. So you can see how he managed to publish 20 books a year. A weekly science column of 800 words he would write before breakfast every Saturday.
He is in favour of space explorations but thinks that it should be done from the people living in a moon colony. What a pity. We are in 2025 and still no colony on the Moon.
But we do have access to universal knowledge. Right in our pocket. And here the good Doctor was certainly wrong. He thought that people would be glad to learn if they were not dependent on teachers.
Also interesting when he talks of the bad side of a good memory saying he remembers every instance when he did something bad. Although the examples he quotes are sort of harmless. Maybe he was not as honest as he managed to give the impression.
October 15, 2017
3.5 stars
As someone who enjoys reading letters written by various famous authors, I figured I would enjoy this collection of interviews with Isaac Asimov. I wasn't disappointed; while many of the interviews repeat a few small details, many ask varying questions that spark engaging responses. They don't feel quite as personal and in-depth as a letter, but Asimov packs a lot of information into a very small span. This did make me want to read his nonfiction works, as well as explore his novels, many of which I've actually never read. His prolific output is a matter of repeated astonishment to the intervewers, and frankly I'm jealous of his single-minded zeal for writing, something that I only manage to catch in pieces here and there. Still, I am also grateful for his creative legacy and to see in these interviews a repeated emphasis on the importance of science, and educated populace, and the necessity of space travel. (One very interesting point he made was that Earthmen are ill-suited for travel to the stars, but the inhabitants of the moon, if we ever get there, would be better equipped psychologically to handle such long journeys.) Definitely a good read for fans of science fiction or who would like to get a feel for Asimov's views without committing to a longer biography or autobiography.
As someone who enjoys reading letters written by various famous authors, I figured I would enjoy this collection of interviews with Isaac Asimov. I wasn't disappointed; while many of the interviews repeat a few small details, many ask varying questions that spark engaging responses. They don't feel quite as personal and in-depth as a letter, but Asimov packs a lot of information into a very small span. This did make me want to read his nonfiction works, as well as explore his novels, many of which I've actually never read. His prolific output is a matter of repeated astonishment to the intervewers, and frankly I'm jealous of his single-minded zeal for writing, something that I only manage to catch in pieces here and there. Still, I am also grateful for his creative legacy and to see in these interviews a repeated emphasis on the importance of science, and educated populace, and the necessity of space travel. (One very interesting point he made was that Earthmen are ill-suited for travel to the stars, but the inhabitants of the moon, if we ever get there, would be better equipped psychologically to handle such long journeys.) Definitely a good read for fans of science fiction or who would like to get a feel for Asimov's views without committing to a longer biography or autobiography.
September 12, 2019
What a wonderful way to get to know Isaac Asimov - in his own words and thoughts.
The selections were well chosen, and I now have both a better understanding and appreciation of an amazing man and author.
On a side note, his views on overpopulation were spot-on.
The selections were well chosen, and I now have both a better understanding and appreciation of an amazing man and author.
On a side note, his views on overpopulation were spot-on.
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July 29, 2011A giant of 20th century literature, this man's thinking is as relevant today as it was when he wrote or spoke it
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews