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Robots Included
`ROBOTS INCLUDED is a whirlwind tour of the potential mechanical wonders and mysteries that could inhabit our futures as a human race producing and living integrally with robotic servants, invaders, or pilgrims. With an obvious gift for storytelling and a love of the genre, Tony whisks his readers from one point in time to another, story-by-story, illustrating how the machines we rely on today might progress, or even evolve in our world or others, into something far beyond the imaginations and technologies we currently know. For anyone who enjoys an entertaining story of otherworldly or futuristic perspectives on what may be or what has been, ROBOTS INCLUDED is the collection of stories to have on your shelf.´ – by Autumn Conley, Editor/Reviewer USA.
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First published May 10, 2010
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About the author
Tony Thorne
30 books36 followersTony Thorne MBE, a Chartered Design Engineer, built up a research and development company in Kent, England. Its eventual worldwide commercial success led to him being awarded the MBE by the Queen. Now retired, he writes speculative, science and fantasy, fiction and has published over fifteen collections of short stories, including the award winning TENERIFE TALL TALES trilogy, and MACABRE TALES. Also ROBOTS INCLUDED, TALL SF TALES FOR TEENAGERS, THREE KINDS OF CULTURE SHOCK, all now available, as eBooks and paperbacks from AMAZON, B & N, WH Smith, etc.. His first novel, POINTS OF VIEW (near future espionage) was published in the USA, by Eternal Press, Santa Rosa, CA, They also accepted Book 2 but were taken over soon after. Then things fell apart and after nearly 2 years of no, or inadequate, progress, he accepted their offer to self-publish the series himself, with a new cover theme. Books 1 to 3 are now available from Amazon (eBook and paperback) and Book 4 will be later in 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 27, 2014
Mind-gripping!
I’ll be completely honest, this book is worth every penny. Its value and integrity exceeded my anticipation. I was utterly enthused! The robots in this book are mind-gripping creations. I find it difficult to adequately describe the overall composition and operation of the author’s robots. They have unexpected ways of carrying out their duties according to how they are programmed. This riveting book unveils the various types of robots that could soon exist and the resulting stories are astounding. Too bad machines at present are totally dependent on humans to do the necessary adjustments and fixes—but for how long?
I’ll be completely honest, this book is worth every penny. Its value and integrity exceeded my anticipation. I was utterly enthused! The robots in this book are mind-gripping creations. I find it difficult to adequately describe the overall composition and operation of the author’s robots. They have unexpected ways of carrying out their duties according to how they are programmed. This riveting book unveils the various types of robots that could soon exist and the resulting stories are astounding. Too bad machines at present are totally dependent on humans to do the necessary adjustments and fixes—but for how long?
November 7, 2014
Robots Included is a fascinating collection ranging in different points of view and perspectives of a future with more advanced robots and artificial intelligence. I appreciated the introduction with the background references to the different definitions of robotic words used (i.e. cyborg versus android) as well as Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.
The writing itself is innovative and thoughtful. The language is clear, which I appreciate in science fiction when the advanced concepts can be confusing enough. The collection of stories all follow a theme of a possible future, be it near or far, that is impacted by the advancement of robotics. The stories can easily be read one at a time, but curiosity may cause the desire to read on until human needs like sleep and food require one to put the book down. These are not "cookie cutter" stories, so you will not read the same kind of story twice. Examples range from robots as a child's toy to protectors of an alien civilization. I would recommend this book to teens who are developing an interest in science fiction or adults who are open to expanding their minds to future possibilities.
The writing itself is innovative and thoughtful. The language is clear, which I appreciate in science fiction when the advanced concepts can be confusing enough. The collection of stories all follow a theme of a possible future, be it near or far, that is impacted by the advancement of robotics. The stories can easily be read one at a time, but curiosity may cause the desire to read on until human needs like sleep and food require one to put the book down. These are not "cookie cutter" stories, so you will not read the same kind of story twice. Examples range from robots as a child's toy to protectors of an alien civilization. I would recommend this book to teens who are developing an interest in science fiction or adults who are open to expanding their minds to future possibilities.
November 7, 2014
Do you have a robot in your house? Do you plan on having one in the near future? Robots Included has many stories in this collection of science fiction tales that makes it feel like the possibility is closer than we think. It also takes the imagination through time and space to concepts that may seem too far-fetched for the average person. The author stays true to Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics and even tests those laws with potential loopholes.
I liked the shorter stories that were still full of detail and plot. Longer works such as the one that shares the title of the collection was also good and just long enough. In some cases I found a few endings lacking. Either I thought "huh?!?" or it went in a direction that did not satisfy me. One still has to give credit to the author for not just sticking to one tone like happy endings or feelings of doomsday. I would still recommend it for the varied collection that it is so that others can be the judge of the ending themselves.
I liked the shorter stories that were still full of detail and plot. Longer works such as the one that shares the title of the collection was also good and just long enough. In some cases I found a few endings lacking. Either I thought "huh?!?" or it went in a direction that did not satisfy me. One still has to give credit to the author for not just sticking to one tone like happy endings or feelings of doomsday. I would still recommend it for the varied collection that it is so that others can be the judge of the ending themselves.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews