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Robots and Empire

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Robots and Empire

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: William Hope
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About this listen

Isaac Asimov’s Robot series – from the iconic collection I, Robot to four classic novels – contains some of the most influential works in the history of science fiction. Establishing and testing the Three Laws of Robotics, they continue to shape the understanding and design of artificial intelligence to this day.

Two centuries have passed since Elijah Baley’s actions on Aurora sent settlers from Earth to new worlds all over the galaxy.

The Spacer planet of Solaria has been abandoned by humans, though countless robots remain. When settlers arrive to salvage them, something unthinkable happens – the robots attack.

Accompanied by Gladia Delmarre and the robots Daneel and Giskard, a descendant of Elijah Baley sets out for Solaria to investigate, a quest that will lead them to a vast, catastrophic conspiracy and a revolution in the Three Laws of Robotics.

©1985 Isaac Asimov (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Adventure Hard Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Space Opera Technothrillers Thriller & Suspense Technology Robotics Computer Science

Critic reviews

‘Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age…It will never be known how many practicing scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov’
Carl Sagan

‘Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction’
Daily Telegraph

‘Asimov’s career was one of the most formidable in science fiction’
The Times
All stars
Most relevant
Asimov really was a genius. wow! he seems to have ever only written one story... each book fits into its key place.

terrific story

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I have nothing against the book it is brilliant and keeps you guessing all the time, but the last chapter is missing and it's a pivotal part of the story.. obviously.. so Audible you need to sort this.. !

great story !!! but beware ending is missing.

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Another great Asimov story, keeping us guessing right to the end. Brilliantly narrated, with such skilled depiction of all the characters

Another great story, perfectly performed.

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The zeroeth law combined with telepathy though undoubtedly well intentioned and seemingly unproblematic from Asimov’s perspective, gives godlike powers to Daneel and Giskard in which it is their’s to decide the correct courses of action to guide humanity towards a better future. From the empire and foundation books we know that future is authoritarian (even galaxia is motivated by the catalysts that the robots in motion). Understandable that Asimov didn’t have much confidence in the ability of humans to chart their own course all the same given the times he lived in and it might seem to ring true again in these uncertain times, but a species must succeed or fail on it’s own accord and as much as I love Daneel, I would prefer if he realised this. I do however love this book and would have loved to have seen where Asimov saw the story going after this and after foundation and earth all the same. Essential reading for any sci fi fan.

Philosophically dodgy but fantastically entertaining (mild spoiler)

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