A must for your favorite limerick lover. These clever rhymes will have you on the floor in no time! Rolling with laughter, that is! I love Asimov and Ciardi paired in this way. Makes a great gift.

Isaac Asimov and John Ciardi were both two brilliant men the likes of whom the world is lucky to have known. Both full of genius in their own way, they were, one imagines, excellent friends, and yet equally excellent enemies.

This is one of the finest collections of limericks I have seen, certainly one of the finest contemporary collections, and the introductions to the two books contained within make the bouquet so much more rich. Their sparring of words, of dashing insults and quick recoveries, is almost as fun to read as the poetry itself.

And the limericks... ah, delightfully scandalous. I suspect you will find yourself respecting John's concept of meter and stylistic master-strokes far above Isaac's, but at the same time will feel that somehow, for all his lack of understanding the mechanics properly, Isaac understands what the content of a limerick is meant to be.

That content, of course dear friends, is most often risque. I would certainly not caution parents against letting their children read this collection, but do be warned: The limerick is a bawdy form, and it is hard to fit anything but lewd intonations into its loose meter.

I recommend this book, for a gift, for something to read on a plane, for something for the WC, a coffee-table book, or any other use you might conceive of. And I will leave you with my own feeble attempt at the form, written post-haste and most likely in poor-taste.

"A book of fine lim'ricks was writ,
And though many said they were just... pooh,
I laughed till I wept,
And this fine book I kept,
And to this day I still will read it."

I really can not remember if I read all of the limericks, but before leaving I gave this excellent, witty, naughty book to my eldest son, who must have thought his Mom was rather 'naughty' herself to have such a kind of literature! Few of us can write limericks, because in a few words you have to paint the whole picture and what a one that is! I have the highest esteem for Mr. Isaac Asimov, who sadly enough, left us too. I seem to remember he did not enjoy at all flying airplanes. But he left us all sorts of very interesting material to be read by us. I give 5 stars to this collection of limericks. Thank you Mr. Asimov.

This is a collection of three novellas and one short story: "The Martian Way" (1952) is a story about colonists on Mars who must find another source of water since a Joseph McCarthy-like polititian on Earth is threatening to cut off Earth's supply of water for Mars (the story came out right during the McCarthy problems in the U.S. Senate). "Youth" (1952) is about two pre-teenagers in a post nuclear-war world who come across some small "animals" that they wish to take to the circus not realizing that they are intelligent beings who had come to make contact with the youths' fathers. "The Deep" (1952) is focused on beings who live in the interior of a planet (their sun is dying and the inhabitants keep migrating deeper into their planet for the planet's natural heat) whose social structure considers maternal love to be a taboo and degenerate. They are forced to come into contact with beings (Earthlings) who they regard as obscene due to the presence of this emotion. "Sucker Bait" (1954) is centered on a world having two suns (the two suns and the planet form a Trojan orbital system of an equilateral triangle). A previous colony of a thousand members had died a hundred years earlier and a new expedition has been sent to discover why. Asimov also suggests in this story that scientists in the future may become so specialized that they will be unaware of basic facts anywhere outside of their specific field. I really doubt that. Anyone who has a love of science has a joy of all science. That will be true in the future as well (However, there will always be people [in any field] who are narrow minded.).

This is a terrific book. Asimov gives us a realistic dilema with technology, that at least from my "arm-chair" physicist point-of veiw makes sence. Going from point A to point B in months makes sence as it's unlikly we'll be warping around when all we've got is a martian colony. Using water for fuel seems plausible (since they use hydrogen and O2 already)and other problems (such as the expedition running out of drinking water) also make sense, seem plausible and are dealt with realistically. One exciting scene is ripped off by the movie Armageddon when the miners deal with what happens when two asteroids collide, and there's one more good scene where.... well, I'll let you read it.

Still some of the best science fiction stories I have ever read. Asimov definitely takes the cake.

The 1981 editors of Asimov's magazine use stories from their own periodical to illustrate some excellent points about how to write good science fiction. Do not worry if your stories do not involve robots and aliens, any fiction writer would find plenty to help here.

Despite the outdatedness, as the editors lecture on how to set your typewriter in order to produce clear manuscripts, using the short stories is a great idea. Even the stories' authors admit their work is flawed. Throw in a great bibliography and reading list, and some very funny observations from the editors about submissions (they are rejecting papers you typed on, not you personally) and this is a quick read and very informative. I highly recommend it if you can find it!

This book is not only suited for people preparing their break-through as a science-fiction author. It
is as well suited for all who care about books and do not just simply want to consume them.
Instead of reading tons of boring theoretical papers on literature, those people should rather
consider reading this book. Besides a theoretical introduction, it contains commented short-stories.
A very good mixture.

After chatting informally with George Scithers a few times in the rec.arts.sf.written newsgroup, I decided to get the book and read the answers to all the questions that I didn't dare blurt out in the newsgroup, primarily "how do you get published! "

This book did a wonderful job of showing me the other side of the desk, of what editors are looking for when they look at manuscripts and how to ensure the story you tell is the one that they absolutely must have. (It's not a formula book; it's showing how to shape your story so it fits the -story's- needs, rather than a preconceived notion of what the editor wants.)

Highly recommended.

Isaac Asimov (the coy Dr. A who authored this book) is well known, not only to science fiction readers but many others as well, given the astounding breadth of his interests and his writings. With several hundred books to his credit, Asimov wrote on subjects as diverse as science, science fiction, literature, the Bible and so on. Sadly, few people know him as the author of The Sensuous Dirty Old Man (SDOM). Sadder yet, this book is very hard to find.

From start to finish, SDOM is a laugh riot as Asimov mercilessly parodies all and sundry. Ostensibly a guide for the Dirty Old Man to indulge his fascination with the female of the species, this little volume is a great helping of tongue in cheek humor at its best. Always outrageous but never really offensive, Asimov takes aim at fashions, at politics and just about everything else. Nor does he spare history or literature - witness his re-naming of the famed picture of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as the Bosom Rehabilitation Associates (or BRA!) and his hilarious send-up of the Verdi aria Oh Mammamobile from Rigoletto.

Asimov's well known writing strengths shine here as well. Written almost in conversational style, the book includes numerous vignettes of history, art and literature, all twisted by the author to his wicked purpose! No matter whether you are dirty, old or male: you will find yourself laughing helplessly all the way through and wishing there was more.

A couple of weeks ago I finally got hold of something I had been looking for since a year ago, a book you wouldn't believe: "The Sensuous Dirty Old Man", by Isaac Asimov (writing as "Dr. A").

Like I said, you wouldn't believe it. One of the people who had recommended the book to me thought that my web site ...was inspired by it, and I don't blame him. It is written almost 30 years ago, and it is philosophically so similar to DOMAI that I was shocked, but very pleasantly so.

Isaac Asimov was one of our great authors, and had published over 400 books on science, science fiction, and numerous other subjects. He was a respected scientist and the president of Mensa. The Sensuous Dirty Old Man is a small book, out of print unfortunately, and it is not only a sane and wonderful look on being a DOM, but also funny as heck.

The book describes how Dirty Old Manhood is something high and honourable that one should aspire to, in order not to become that pitiful creature, the Clean Old Man (like for example president Nixon).

It does take courage, sensitivity, and a lot of practice, but with enough intention and hard work, one might become a Dirty Old Man at a very young age.

The very famous quote: "Sex is dirty, if you do it right" is from this book.

Asimov tells us that the most important tool the Dirty Old Man has is his eyes. Eyes are for use. When you look at a woman with a brief, stolen glance, you are insulting her beauty. He says: "Don't peep at girls, STARE!"

A Dirty Old Man is far more attractive to women than young men, because of his sophistication and experience, his wisdom and his honesty.

From The Sensuous Dirty Old Man:

===
Let us imagine that you are a dirty old man but are dedicated to keeping it a secret because you are a bank vice-president and are interested in exuding an odor of sanctity so that no one will notice, until it is too late, that you are preparing to abscond [run away].

Now a lovely girl walks past you with a dress whose neckline is generously loose and under which there is clearly and obviously no bra. What do you do?

What you do is roll your eyes briefly in their sockets with the eyelashes lowered so that no one will see what you are doing. The result? You don't see anything at all, except perhaps for one flash of quiver that is far more upsetting than sating.

And what is the girl's reaction? She sees that flicker of eye even if no one else does (since she's watching for it) and despises you as a rotten little coward. You see that look of contempt in her eye (for it goes through you like an ice pick) and your self-esteem is shattered. Indeed, there is a very good chance that the girl will instantly realize that a man who would look at her with so miserably sidelong a glance is a man who would abscond with every cent of the banks property and she will inform on you at once.

But suppose you are not only a dirty old man, but are proud of it, too, and suppose the same girl walks by in the same condition. Now it is possible to be joyous and open. You can emit a melodious whistle or a snort of pleasure. You can stare openly. You can walk over to get a closer view. You can address the girl in friendly fashion.

And how does the girl react? She is pleased that she has created such an obvious stir in a gentleman of such substantial and prosperous appearance. She realizes that you agree with her own opinion of herself and this can't help but impress her with the excellence of your taste.

Seeing in you a person whom she can respect, she will think, "What a nice, gentlemanly old man," and will smile at you. From that to a friendly word or two is but a step, and from that to a pat on the cheek or some slight pressure on the upper arm is but another.

You own self-esteem will shoot up and if you are the vice-president of a bank, you will be so buoyed up by all the this that you will go right to your office and put back all the money. This is only one example of many I can cite in which being an open and honest dirty old man is an enormous aid to public morality.

[... and from later in the book:]

Oliver Wendell Holmes, the great Supreme Court Justice, in his last years (he lived to be ninety-four), was walking down Pennsylvania Avenue with a friend, when a pretty girl passed. As all dirty old men must, especially when the dignity of the Supreme Court is at stake, Holmes turned to look after her. Having done so, he sighed and said to his friend, "Ah, George, what wouldn't I give to be seventy-five again?"
===

Isaac Asimov tells us that after the eyes, the verbal skills of a Dirty Old Man is his most important tools, so he better can give compliments to the girl to let her know how beautiful she is.

So you see, fellows, we are not alone, and have never been. The wisest men up through history have always been Dirty Old Men as well.

I picked this book at a used book store on a whim because of its quirky title and even more amusing was the authors name who was attached to it. Something was not right, so I was curious to check it out. I began reading (like all my books) and soon discovered the hilarity and wit that Dr. Issac Asimov can convey. From what I understand from talking to some films is that Dr. A was indeed a Drity Old Man. The book is a guide book for the young and old alike, the male and female (but mostly male). It acts as a handbook for the pickup artist. To ogle at women with a smile. To take your hand off her knee if she asks, and to put it on her thigh. Clever and indeed insightful, even if its all tongue-in-cheek. Dr. A., and his photographic memory of quoting some wacky moments of history past is just perfect for the confidence level that one places when seeing a hot broad strutting down the street. Afterall, if she is showing cleavage, should not men look at it? What else should we do? As it states: "Don't peep at girls - STARE!" Other anecdotes to those who are inferier to approaching good looking women are those with morals. "Many regard the matter of mammary display as a frontal attack on our standards morality. Sometimes, I tend to agree with them. Many is the occasion on which I have looked down on low-cut dresses." Dr. A's historical satire is wonderful, as mentioned earlier, is not just a remark on the confidence level one should have, that a man who peeps, leers, looks or smiles in the direction of a female, but also a gesture to the woman that your confidence equals that of the female who is looked upon. Dr. A. says "[Joe] Green, having emigrated to Italy, adopted the Italian version of his name, Giuseppe Verdi. For reasons known only to opera buffs, the Italian name is actually better known today than the name he was born with in Pughkeepsie, New York." Verdi was a Dirty Old Man. And Vice-President Charles Curtis was a Dirty Old Man. Oliver Wendell Holmes was not. Asimov fans may not appreciate this book as much as his science-fiction or works of non-fiction, however, those who are looking for a genuine laugh, and those who love literature would surely find this little book a gem. Unfortunately, now it is out of print, and unless you want to pay heavily for first prints, a paperback would suit the purpose.

With debates about energy at the political forefront in most countries, everybody should read this book before they open their mouth so that they know what they are talking about.

Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) had a brilliant career as a scientist, teacher, and writer. Best known for his science fiction novels and stories, he also wrote poetry and nonfiction, and prepared guides to several important literary works

Dr. Asimov has taken a difficult subject and made it interesting and easy to read. Even those who aren't science students will find this book about the universe around us dramatic and entertaining. I just wish there were a way to give this book 10 stars instead of only 5.

I have no doubt that the short story is the hardest to write. With limited space, the point, and there can really be only one, must be relatively obvious, yet complex enough to make an interesting story. Adding in a science fiction theme increases the level of difficulty, as generally, such stories require more explanation of the circumstances. Given that an environment different from the usual is necessary, some space must be used to explain the background of the story.
Despite all these hurdles, it is possible to write quality stories and this collection is an existence proof of how well it can be done. Independent of the length, these are some of the best science fiction stories of all time. They range from puns to the possibilities of interstellar war. I started the book and kept it close so that I could read it during every spare moment. It is one of the best collections of science fiction stories that I have ever read.

This is an excellent book. It runs the gamut of the science fiction genre; from jules verne to starwars, dragons to philosophy. It contains a cross section of literature and authors of both range and caliber rarely found. Many of its stories do not appear to be science fiction at first read; the only common thread among all the stories is the fact that, as Asimov puts in his introduction, "A very honed point." A must read.

Although I took physics in college, most of what I know was learned from books by Asimov. This book is a collection of his essays published in "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction" where the theme of each is physics. In rereading the essays, I was taken back to the heady days when I needed to learn a great deal of physics in only a few days. This was accomplished by reading Asimov's books and I managed to learn enough to handle the problems.
The collection is well-suited to anyone with an interest in physics or a teacher who wants to introduce the fundamentals of a point without yet delving into the rigor that requires detailed formulas. As always, Asimov has written with a clarity that textbook authors are either unwilling or unable to achieve.
In my many experiences as an educator, I am often asked for "simple" references about various topics. When the topic is science, I always recommend the writings of Asimov and when the topic is physics, this is the first book I suggest.

This book is very readable (except in a few technical spots) and very interesting. It explains some aspects of physics, which are normally very hard to understand, into plain English for the rest of us that aren't physic's majors.

Isaac Asimov has such a delightful wit that even his explanations of archaic terms are fun to read. When combined with W.S. Gilbert's hilarious librettos, it makes one entertaining read. Actually, it makes more than one entertaining read. i have read it several times and still enjoy it.

Writer Martin Gardner once told Isaac Asimov that if he really wanted to have fun, he should find a book he liked very much and annotate it. "Asimov's Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan" is one of the results of that suggestion. This enormous volume contains the words to all the G&S operas, plus extensive notes explaining allusions and words that might be unfamiliar to today's listener. Asimov assumes minimal knowledge on the part of the reader, so this book is useful and entertaining not only for the veteran G&S aficionado but also for the neophyte.

I had to write a research paper on Asimov, Bradbury and scifi. Obviously the first two were easy enough (once I actually figured out what I was doing) but the last topic was a bit more difficult. I mean, you can't really think indepentently on a research paper. Don't ask me why, but always have to rely on someone else's opinion. I could really seem to find anything until I came upon this in my school library. Not only did I find the information I needed, but I found all of Asimov's essays to be fascinating. I wish he was still alive because I found his views on fantasy to be somewhat conflicting with mine (I'm a huge fantasy fan) but alas, I found out to my dismay he's been dead for quite awhile. Oh well, go figure. But I would definetly recomment this book--

This book is s collection of essays from "Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine" by the good Doctor. Normally they relate to science fiction, but Asimov also covers some other topics, normally science related when they are not directly related to SF.

It is a good collection of essays. It gives some good commentary about the field by one of its Grand Masters.

Nice book.

This is a collection of superlative stories from Asimov's Magazine. It's a good place to find stories that began careers. The stories are: Bloodchild by Octavia Butler, only her second story in Asimovs, it won both the Hugo and Nebula; Firewatch by Connie Willis that also won the Hugo and Nebula and started her career; Press Enter by John Varley that also won the Hugo and Nebula, Hardfought by Greg Bear that won a Nebula; The Peacemaker by Gardner Dozois that won a Nebula; Her Furry Face by Leigh Kennedy and my personal favorite, The End of Life As We Know It by Lucius Shepherd. It's a shame this anthology is out of print. All the stories are from the 1980s, but every one of them is still powerful and a good read.

A collection of punchy, enjoyable science-fiction stories from IAsfm's first decade and change, running the gambit from hard science to character-driven to simple dumb fun. Only further reason to believe that the Good Doctor was wise in putting his name on the magazine.