Tag Archives: Isaac Asimov

The Shaping of England

Posted on April 9, 2026 by smellincoffee

The Shaping of England is an older (1960s) Asimov history written about early England, beginning with speculation about the Beaker people and moving through the Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons etc to wrap up with the establishment of the Magna Carta. Like … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

WWW Wednesday + SFM #5

Posted on November 5, 2025 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? All Systems Red, Martha Wells. An action-mystery short novel featuring a sarcastic robot helping colonists on another world. WHAT are you reading now? The Nazi Seizure of Power, though that will be a slow … Continue reading →

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Saturday Shorts – Clarke and Asimov

Posted on June 21, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s short story is a pair of stories, chosen because they share a common theme. The first, Arthur C. Clarke’s “Into the Comet”, opens on a science ship in despair. The Challenger was commissioned to investigate Randall’s Comet, a long-period … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

SciFi Prompt #2: Astronavigation

Posted on November 2, 2024 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt for SciFi Month is “AstroNavigation”, or discussing the books that got us into science fiction. I’ve talked about that a bit before, but what follows is a shorter/sweeter iteration. What book got you into science fiction?   This … Continue reading →

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Wisdom Wednesday: Try

Posted on October 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

Scene: A visionary academic, Hari Seldon, has attracted the attention and wrath of the Emperor, and is fleeing for his life with the assistance of “Chester Hummin”, a journalist. The two men take refuge in a dismal diner and Hummin … Continue reading →

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Of stars and saints (again)

Posted on August 24, 2020 by smellincoffee

(“Again” because last year I had a similar post called ‘Of stars and saints‘.) Recently I’ve finished two books which were aimed at more youthful audiences (middle/high school, not sure), so I’m presenting them together. The first is Hands of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Azazel

Posted on October 5, 2016 by smellincoffee

Azazel: Fantasy Stories© 1988 Isaac Asimov221 pages George isn’t an ordinary fellow, for in times past his ancestors possessed the arcane knowledge required to summon creatures — demons? aliens? — from another plane of existence.  The best George can manage … Continue reading →

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The Ugly Little Boy

Posted on July 28, 2016 by smellincoffee

The Ugly Little Boy© 1991 Isaac Asimov, Robert Silverberg. Based on the 1958 short story by Asimov.290 How would you like to babysit a Neanderthal?   Granted, Edith Fellowes didn’t realize that was the job description. She knew she’d be … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Ten Stories by Isaac

Posted on February 4, 2016 by smellincoffee

Back in 2007, I discovered Isaac Asimov’s short stories and became a trifle obsessed with him, to the point that I have an entire bookcase devoted to his short stories, essays, novels and books.  Lately I’ve been feeling the itch … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Asimov and Nimoy read

Posted on July 3, 2015 by smellincoffee

Since 2007, Isaac Asimov has been my favorite author, possibly because his devotion to the full spectrum of human creativity and knowledge — science, history, language, name it and he’s written about it — is inspiring.  The retro feel of … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 5 Comments