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Asimov Laughs Again: More Than 700 Favorite Jokes, Limericks & Anecdotes
The master of the science fiction genre makes a humorous detour through the realm of humor, presenting more than seven hundred jokes, riddles, limericks, and anecdotes. 20,000 first printing. National ad/promo.
357 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 1992
7 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
2,772 books27.7k followersWorks 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 18, 2015
If you’re a fan of Asimov you should definitely read ‘Asimov Laughs Again’. Not because it’s laugh-out-loud funny (it isn’t, but you’ll get a chuckle here and there) but because it’s also an autobiography. It reads like you’re visiting him, sitting down in Asimov’s living room and letting him ramble on about his life and his passion for jokes.
I was already a big fan of Isaac Asimov, the author, but now after reading this book I am also a big fan of Isaac Asimov, the human.
I was already a big fan of Isaac Asimov, the author, but now after reading this book I am also a big fan of Isaac Asimov, the human.
January 9, 2022
Nice book. It's nice knowing about his personality, his life. A lot of jokes were tryhardish. The anecdotes made him seem a bit vain and lecherous. Still, it was nice getting to know him. He's an interesting person and he led an interesting life. It's always pleasant hearing about writing in the era of typewriters. So soothing.
I enjoyed a LOT of the dirty jokes. If I could disregard his age for a moment, I'd enjoy them a lot more, and like him more too! I almost think, now, that I might enjoy reading his autobiography - or at least an account of a day in the life of.
Good book, great for reading a couple pages a day. I'll miss it.
I enjoyed a LOT of the dirty jokes. If I could disregard his age for a moment, I'd enjoy them a lot more, and like him more too! I almost think, now, that I might enjoy reading his autobiography - or at least an account of a day in the life of.
Good book, great for reading a couple pages a day. I'll miss it.
April 27, 2022
An interesting insight into the mind of Asimov. I often found his commentary about the jokes was funnier than the jokes themselves.
August 5, 2018
Boss: Anderson, why do you come in late every day?
Anderson: I leave early every afternoon.
Now, if you found this funny the book is for you. Actually, it is hilarious compared to some of the other stinkers Asimov presents us. Amazing, how a guy with an IQ of 160 (so he tells us, and I do believe he was a genius) waste his and our time with stuff like this? And why do I love this book anyway?
Let’s say, telling jokes, most of them bad (jokes as a genre are nearly always bad, a fate shared with all genres, of course) was one of his idiosyncrasies. And luckily he also tells a lot of personal anecdotes. So, I learned that he loved cats and hated dogs. And that he created a TV series. And I want to know everything about him. Because he was such an amazing guy. At the time of writing this books, one of his last, when death was approaching, he had written 466 books. He mentions it four or five times. He also says that he never talks about how many books he has written, unless someone asks! A couple of the anecdotes are a bit on the distasteful side, especially the one about his (first) mother in law.
In one little story, even his son David (whom he seemed to despise) comes off looking not at all stupid. I loved it. And it seems that he did not think much about Germany. I do not blame him, but I was surprised. Or that he did not like that Jews established the state of Israel. Or that he read Don Quijote five times. He did not write all the time, he also had to read. And he watched television. Apparently quite a lot. And he went to parties...
Okay, I admit I had to laugh at three jokes (one I even knew before - a famous Harlan Ellison story) and I was mildly amused by about 50 of the 700 or so. Maybe that is not really bad.
Anderson: I leave early every afternoon.
Now, if you found this funny the book is for you. Actually, it is hilarious compared to some of the other stinkers Asimov presents us. Amazing, how a guy with an IQ of 160 (so he tells us, and I do believe he was a genius) waste his and our time with stuff like this? And why do I love this book anyway?
Let’s say, telling jokes, most of them bad (jokes as a genre are nearly always bad, a fate shared with all genres, of course) was one of his idiosyncrasies. And luckily he also tells a lot of personal anecdotes. So, I learned that he loved cats and hated dogs. And that he created a TV series. And I want to know everything about him. Because he was such an amazing guy. At the time of writing this books, one of his last, when death was approaching, he had written 466 books. He mentions it four or five times. He also says that he never talks about how many books he has written, unless someone asks! A couple of the anecdotes are a bit on the distasteful side, especially the one about his (first) mother in law.
In one little story, even his son David (whom he seemed to despise) comes off looking not at all stupid. I loved it. And it seems that he did not think much about Germany. I do not blame him, but I was surprised. Or that he did not like that Jews established the state of Israel. Or that he read Don Quijote five times. He did not write all the time, he also had to read. And he watched television. Apparently quite a lot. And he went to parties...
Okay, I admit I had to laugh at three jokes (one I even knew before - a famous Harlan Ellison story) and I was mildly amused by about 50 of the 700 or so. Maybe that is not really bad.
June 7, 2008
OMG... this is the funniest, most crude and rude collection of jokes that I have ever read...
It is the foundation of all of my humor.
It is the foundation of all of my humor.
January 9, 2017
Hilarious! Filled with anecdotes, limericks, and other jokes. I laughed so hard. The humor ranged from simple to witty.
December 31, 2017
I read my first Asimov novel in 2013, when I admitted to knowing very little about the author - since then he has very rapidly become one of my favourite authors and has written one of the best series I have ever read (the Robot series - the Foundation and Galactic Empire novels never really gripped me in the same way). I've rated all of his books (that I have read so far) at least 3 stars which puts him up there when it comes to my favourite authors (LKH got a couple of 2 star and 1 star reviews, Trudi Canavan and Tamora Pierce are the only other authors that come to mind that get consistently higher star ratings from me with similar numbers of books).
Having read (at least) 17 of his novels I felt I had a decent grasp on his writing styles, but I knew very very little about the man himself - barring he was extremely prolific and wrotes hundreds of books in his lifetime, and was highly intelligent (that said generally I don't know a lot about my favourite authors... maybe because the others are still alive and writing whilst most of Asimovs works were written before I was born?). This book has helped with that a bit - I've found out that he was really rather humourous, arguably falsely self-deprecating, seemingly suffered from Hodophobia, was quick-witted and (for someone who doesn't like writing about sex) oddly dirty minded...
I'd say that the title of this book is.. not misleading but perhaps wrongly ordered. I'd argue that this should read "More than 700 Anecdotes, Limericks and Jokes" - either that or I don't have the required sense of humour as not many of these raised a laugh from me. There were a few that did though so I'd suggest checking out numbers 162, 163, 323, and 565. There were others but these ones raised a genuine little chuckle as opposed to a simple smile or roll of the eyes.
There are some anecdotes told here you'll have read/heard elsewhere such as 170 - where a ship and a lighthouse have an argument over who should move out of the others way, or the Churchill anecdotes. Asimov didn't often say where he heard these which is a shame as I'd have been interested to get more insight into when exactly these originated!
Overall I'd say this wasn't the easiest book to read - I did have to keep putting it down and picking it back up, but it was interesting. I can't say I would re-read it as I would one of his series of works, but I am glad to have read it as it gives more insight into the man himself.
Having read (at least) 17 of his novels I felt I had a decent grasp on his writing styles, but I knew very very little about the man himself - barring he was extremely prolific and wrotes hundreds of books in his lifetime, and was highly intelligent (that said generally I don't know a lot about my favourite authors... maybe because the others are still alive and writing whilst most of Asimovs works were written before I was born?). This book has helped with that a bit - I've found out that he was really rather humourous, arguably falsely self-deprecating, seemingly suffered from Hodophobia, was quick-witted and (for someone who doesn't like writing about sex) oddly dirty minded...
I'd say that the title of this book is.. not misleading but perhaps wrongly ordered. I'd argue that this should read "More than 700 Anecdotes, Limericks and Jokes" - either that or I don't have the required sense of humour as not many of these raised a laugh from me. There were a few that did though so I'd suggest checking out numbers 162, 163, 323, and 565. There were others but these ones raised a genuine little chuckle as opposed to a simple smile or roll of the eyes.
There are some anecdotes told here you'll have read/heard elsewhere such as 170 - where a ship and a lighthouse have an argument over who should move out of the others way, or the Churchill anecdotes. Asimov didn't often say where he heard these which is a shame as I'd have been interested to get more insight into when exactly these originated!
Overall I'd say this wasn't the easiest book to read - I did have to keep putting it down and picking it back up, but it was interesting. I can't say I would re-read it as I would one of his series of works, but I am glad to have read it as it gives more insight into the man himself.
May 14, 2020
As a big fan of Isaac Asimov, I can honestly say that I have read over 150 of his books. For years, I bought every paperback collection of his essays I found and read every book that appeared in the libraries of Mount Mercy College and the cities of Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids. He has no peer in making science understandable and the knowledge I gleaned from his books has helped me greatly in my career as an educator and writer.
This book is copyrighted in 1992, the year of his death. There are several points where he acknowledges his age and the toll it is taking on his body. Asimov is also very frank about his concerns about the world and his significant medical procedures. He confesses to his unrelenting flirtation with women, citing many actions that would clearly find him in legal jeopardy in the modern world.
Like all books containing jokes, there is a wide range of topics and level of giggles that they will generate. Of course, there are many that would be much funnier when spoken live by Asimov. What is different about this book is that there is a trace of bitterness. While those passages are honestly stated, his discussions of his first wife Gertrude, her mother and brother are very uncomplimentary. He also mentions how he has held mild grudges against people that he considers to have slighted him. Some of which were valid, but others where he simply should have been told, “Let it go, Isaac.” These features reduce the level of quality of the book.
This book is copyrighted in 1992, the year of his death. There are several points where he acknowledges his age and the toll it is taking on his body. Asimov is also very frank about his concerns about the world and his significant medical procedures. He confesses to his unrelenting flirtation with women, citing many actions that would clearly find him in legal jeopardy in the modern world.
Like all books containing jokes, there is a wide range of topics and level of giggles that they will generate. Of course, there are many that would be much funnier when spoken live by Asimov. What is different about this book is that there is a trace of bitterness. While those passages are honestly stated, his discussions of his first wife Gertrude, her mother and brother are very uncomplimentary. He also mentions how he has held mild grudges against people that he considers to have slighted him. Some of which were valid, but others where he simply should have been told, “Let it go, Isaac.” These features reduce the level of quality of the book.
September 1, 2019
While my reading may indicate a varied mix, Science Fiction remains my genre of preference. Preferably retro SF, before the moon landing, when anything seemed possible. And the prolific Isaac Asimov is my retro SF writer of choice, especially his short stories (and going by the man's sentiments, it's SF, not Sci-Fi).
This book, one of the last of some 500, does not involve SF. It's a hodge-podge of apocryphal narratives, jokes (Jews get skewered, big-time), puns, and mostly bawdy limericks conjured and collected by the man, as well as the exquisite witticisms, opinions, and interesting experiences of Isaac Asimov, the famous writer. Who imparts so much of himself into the book that it almost feels autobiographical.
Here's how the book summed him up for me: apart from being a widely successful writer and lecturer with a phobia of flying, Asimov was an endearingly arrogant, self-possessed raconteur with razor-sharp smarts, a teetotaler on account of his not being able to handle alcohol--it sobered him up, was what his fellow SF writer (Ellison, I think) claimed.
Fan or not, this book comes highly recommended for the laughs and the occasional inside story, apocryphal or otherwise. So this goes on a low shelf, because I know I'll be coming back for the jokes.
This book, one of the last of some 500, does not involve SF. It's a hodge-podge of apocryphal narratives, jokes (Jews get skewered, big-time), puns, and mostly bawdy limericks conjured and collected by the man, as well as the exquisite witticisms, opinions, and interesting experiences of Isaac Asimov, the famous writer. Who imparts so much of himself into the book that it almost feels autobiographical.
Here's how the book summed him up for me: apart from being a widely successful writer and lecturer with a phobia of flying, Asimov was an endearingly arrogant, self-possessed raconteur with razor-sharp smarts, a teetotaler on account of his not being able to handle alcohol--it sobered him up, was what his fellow SF writer (Ellison, I think) claimed.
Fan or not, this book comes highly recommended for the laughs and the occasional inside story, apocryphal or otherwise. So this goes on a low shelf, because I know I'll be coming back for the jokes.
May 6, 2022
To me it all joy even if sometimes not perfectly fit to my taste. For intermediate English learners this also can be a treasure. There is a key point when culture comes across for language learning.
Asimov was a writer I can never resist reading his books. It does not matter if he was not a cinematic most artistic or at all writer. His personality and wide perspective in science and society. I have to find new or as new previous Joke books by him with reasonable price.
This book is about Jokes on Asimov himself, language, writing, politics, religion and culture. His fascination of quip himself is priceless if someone knows a bit about him or his books.
Asimov was a writer I can never resist reading his books. It does not matter if he was not a cinematic most artistic or at all writer. His personality and wide perspective in science and society. I have to find new or as new previous Joke books by him with reasonable price.
This book is about Jokes on Asimov himself, language, writing, politics, religion and culture. His fascination of quip himself is priceless if someone knows a bit about him or his books.
February 9, 2020
I was not overly thrilled with this book. Jesse gave it to me to read and some of the jokes and stories were funny but many were a little too politically incorrect for me to enjoy. Stories told in a different time with different values.
December 6, 2021
This was fun! Not knee-slappingly funny, but there were a ton of good jokes and stories. A lot of questionable material that I'm not sure would go over well in modern times. But if you can get past that, it's a great read!
June 22, 2017
I read Asimov's science fiction books long ago, but I didn't know he was also hilarious. Oh, his humor is on the raunchy side, especially his limericks. But I love him and laugh right with him.
July 6, 2013
Not a great joke book -- although, does such a thing exist? -- this is kind of interesting if you read it as a character-study novel in which the personality and biography of a vain, flamboyant man are gradually revealed over the course of an undisciplined book-length collection of his stories, anecdotes, and favorite jokes. I checked it out on the recommendation of my dad, who likes the limericks, and found that limericks are almost impossible to enjoy off the page.
March 1, 2011
Poor Issac Asimov. As you can surmise from the title, he was already dying as this was published. The collection is okay, the limericks are middling-good, and there are plenty of dirty jokes as I recall. Nothing exceptional here, though. Get it from the library.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews