Visions of Fantasy

Visions of Fantasy
Isaac Asimov, editor
short story collection
4 stars
180 pages

A series of short stories by different well know fantasy writers. YA, but written well enough that I enjoyed the stories very much too.

One story, about a camp where bad kids get eaten by monsters/dinosaurs, was priceless! That alone made the book awesome…

Second Foundation

Second Foundation
Foundation #3
Isaac Asimov
SF
3 stars
225 pages

the Mule continues his hunt. Comes head to head with the Second Foundation, loses and never realizes it. After his demise, the First Foundation feels threatened and begins to try to hunt down the Second Foundation so as to be unrivaled. Through some tricky mindstuff, the Second Foundation, which is to be the true guardian of psychohistory, convinces the First Foundation that they have been destroyed. These three novels were written back in the 50’s and they are just good vintage scifi. Simple, easy and yet extremely enjoyable.

Foundation and Empire

Foundation and Empire
Foundation #2
Isaac Asimov
SF
3 stars
227 pages

the Foundation comes head to head with the remnant of the First Empire and conquers it. A genetic mutant with the ability to twist peoples emotions ends up foiling the Seldon Plan and taking over the galaxy. Introduces the Second Foundation, a foundation of Mentalists. The Mule, the mutant, hunts them down to destroy them. The book ends with him being foiled by a couple who are First Foundationers.

Foundation

Foundation
Foundation #1
Isaac Asimov
SF
3 stars
227 pages

a galaxy spanning empire of 12 millenia is crumbling. One man, Hari Seldon, uses psychohistory to plot a course to shorten the new dark age from 30,000 years to 1000 years. To do this, he establishes 2 Foundations. This book deals with the First Foundation, a collection of scientists who embody all the collective knowledge needed to bring about the Second Galactic Empire. Follows the Foundation through the first couple of hundred years as it weathers “Seldon Crises” and becomes the nucleus of the New Empire.

Forward the Foundation

Forward the Foundation
Foundation #0
Isaac Asimov
SF
2 stars
480 pages

the immediate prequel to the Foundation Trilogy [which I shall now have to reread]. Seldon is on Trantor and trying to get psychohistory ready in time. This book covers about 30+ years. Not really interesting unless one was a big Foundation buff, which I am not. Founds the first Foundation and uses his granddaughter as the nucleus for the Second Foundation.

Azazel

Azazel
Isaac Asimov
fantasy
2 stars
221 pages

a collection of short stories about a 2cm tall demon. He is at the beck and call of an acquaintance of the authors. He [the friend George] is always trying to “help” his friends using Azazel’s powers. They always turn into misadventures.

The Complete Robot

The Complete Robot
Isaac Asimov
SF
4 stars

collection of his robot short stories. Easy reading.