WHEN I PURCHASED THIS BOOK, I BOUGHT IT MAINLY TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION OF ISAAC ASIMOV NOVELS AND ANTHOLOGIES. I WAS SURPRISED AND PLEASED TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS ONE OF HIS BEST ANTHOLOGIES, AT LEAST IN MY MIND. THE STORIES SELECTED BY ASIMOV AND HIS TWO CO-EDITORS, MARTIN GREENBURGH AND CHARLES WAUGH, WERE RICH IN CHARACTERIZATION AND THE STORYLINES WERE SPELLBINDING, EVEN IF IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THESE SITUATIONS WOULD OR COULD EVER OCCUR, BUT SUCH IS FANTASY! ANOTHER REASON I , ALONG WITH THOSE I LENT THIS BOOK TO, ENJOYED IT WAS THE FACT THAT MANY OF THE AUTHORS WHOSE WORKS WERE SELECTED WERE OBSCURE; NO ONE I KNEW HAD HEARD OF THEM. BUT THE MAIN REASON WAS THE FACT THAT MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE STORIES DID NOT END ON A DOWN NOTE. THEY ALWAYS CONTAINED SORT OF HOPE OF SURVIVAL. I READ THIS BOOK TO PIECES, AND WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS OUT OF PRINT, AND NOT LIKELY TO BE RE-ISSUED. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK, IF YOU CAN FIND A COPY. SURE HOPE I CAN!

The stories in this book range from not likely to frighteningly real--the ways that humans are capable of destroying themselves are depicted in accurate detail. A must read (again)...if only I could find a copy!

In this book, Asimov explores and analyzes the different ways the world, or civilzation, could end (the "catastrophes") and estimates the likelihood and time frame of each one of them. He goes all the way from the macro-catastrophes (heat death of the universe) to the micro-catastrophes (disease and political turmoil).
Very interesting book that brings science and a dose of reality into this consideration of the ultimate demise of mankind.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book(Dutch translation). I had never before read Asimov, and although I imagined him as a "serious" science-fiction author, the subject and title of this book made me uncertain about what to expect... Would it go down the popular road of feeding on people's fear? As it turns out, there was no need to worry. Asimov uses a nicely balanced approach to this mass-appeal theme to touch many fields of science and even culture. His message is not one of hysteria, but a message of hope. He presents himself as a true Homo Universalis of our time. Not in the sense that he pretends to know everything about anything, the sort of omni-knowledge that died after the Renaissance. But in the sense that he argues like a true World Citizen. A member of the human race instead of belonging to this or that nation/religion/sex/whatever. Of course, the subject of the book lends itself very well for this. So my impression is that Asimov found it more important to awake this feeling in the readers, than to write a sort of disaster-encyclopedia. The book is meant to assist us in becoming conscious about our position in space and time. About our relation to the past, the future and all the phenomenons in the Universe that completely outscale us in size, violence and duration. It is meant to make us feel tiny and insignificant in one way. But certainly also to unite us in a collective battle against the indifferent laws of nature and evolution.

I would recommended this book to anyone with a broad view on the world around us.

hey everyone! maximus here, and i just wanted to say that this book is superb. althought a little hard to read because of typos, it is still excellent!

This handbook is just what I was looking for to conduct a science fair. It's easy to read and presents all the needed information and resources to conduct a successful fair. The forms provided are useful and can be used directly out of the book. A must have for anyone putting on a science fair!

This was the first book of Asimov's that I read, and I think it give you a good grasp of what the late great writer's thought was like. You have some of the best short stories included, especially "Nightfall", one of the all-time SF classics, and some enduring favorites of mine, such as "Belief" (which asks what happens when a physicists finds out he can fly)and "Breeds There a Man?" (a rather unsettling tale about mankind's origins and future).

Asimov is at his best form with the short story (the famous Foundation Trilogy began as short stories), and these are the pick of the litter. I'm not sure how many people are aware of Asimov's interests in science history, and he has many delightful essays giving one a window into some of the lesser-known characters in scientific history, and some of Asimov's thoughts on the role of science. Of particular note is also his thesis that technology made slavery obsolete.

Only Asimov could write a book like this. It combines science fiction stories with real science without telling the reader which is which. You could almost use this book as a pocket reference if it weren't such entertaining reading. Of all the Asimov short story collections, I like this one best. Unfortunately my copy was misplaced, (I'm blaming my wife), and I can't seem to find it. Take care of yours!

Issac Asimov's affection for astronomy sparkles throughout this thoroughly researched and very entertaining book. An impression of the instrument's dramatic impact on civilisation, is left with the reader. My copy was lost five years ago and I still pine for it. No doubt, had Asimov written 'A Brief History of Time' then quantum physicists would be more widely understood

Written on the eve of construction of the Hubble Space Telescope, Eyes on the Universe traces the development of optical telescopes from the human eye and Galileo's first night out to design considerations for HST. Find out why Galileo went blind, how Newton built the first reflector and why Lord Rosse got clouded out. Learn how giant telescopes and the replacement of the eyepiece with cameras allowed modern astronomers to storm the heavens and change our concepts about the size, age and origins of the cosmos. An excellent history and easy read for scientist and non-scientist alike, Asimov proves why he made tons more money writing science fact than science fiction

There's no real way to do justice to this monumental work, one of the most influential ones on later science fiction.

Rather than overpraise it, I will note that the style is a bit dated, but not sufficient to detract from its present day enjoyment. Notable is the lack of physical action and the fact that you don't even notice this lack.

Actually, this isn't as much a group of three novels as it is seven shorter works. They lead through a crucial part of Galactic history starting with the beginning of the First Foundation, the first predicted crises, and then the unpredicted emergence of The Mule which appears to throw Hari Seldon's psychohistory off course, up to the search for a Second Foundation, spurred by the political intrigue and power struggle Asimov handles so well.

If you've never read these stories, and if you appreciate expertly written science-fiction, you do owe it to yourself to read these.

This fantastic trilogy takes you through the fate of the universe. Of course which universe isn't ever exactly clear. The greatest feat of these three books, is their ability to never use any amount of action though, aside from the basic walking in and out of rooms, boarding craft and whatnot. In one of the later books in the series, (These first three were the original, but society demanded more), Asimov even himself said that he was surprised at the lack of action. Wonderful books though.

Realmente este libro es excelente,me incito a interesarme mucho mas en los libros de Isaac Asimov y en la ciencia ficcion en general. Esta mal llamada trilogia (son mas de 3 libros) realmente es buenisima,vale la pena leerla. Tal vez mi comentario es un tanto escueto,pero creo que refleja lo que me provoca este libro.Prefiero no entrar en detalles en cuanto a la historia,eso lo dejo para que cada lector lo descubra.

Uno de los mejores libros de Isaac Asimov. Aqui nos presenta las dos caracteristicas que lo convirtieron en uno (si no el mejor) escritor de ciencia ficcion: una interezante trama y un final inesperado. Tambien tengo que menicionar que Plaza & James nos presenta una excelente traduccion de este libro de I. Asimov. No nos presenta con las traducciones correctas sin utilizar palabras cuyo significado puede no ser el mismo en otros paises del habla español (como si han hecho en otras publicaciones). Lo unico que si me parece innecesario fue la "introduccion" por Carlo Frasetti. Espero que disfruten el libro tanto como yo.

I first read this book at about age 35. Then lent it to my 66-year-old father. Just as was I unable, so, too, was he unable to put it down for more than a meditative moment to complicate Asimov's musings.

After Dad read it I loaned it to my older son, then aged 12. He had the same addiction as Dad and I.

The three of us are not prone to dwell on science, history, or anything of great consequence often, but we still frequently discuss topics first brought to our attention by probably the greatest, and certainly one of the most prolific and diverse writers in history.

I challenge any reader to not contemplate many of the thoughts expressed by Asimov in this fascinating and intriguing book.

Asimov and Hawking were probably the two most intelligent science writers of the 20th Century. Asimov alone, however, also was a skilled writer of history and fiction.

This is the quick reference handbook for our universe, written in simple and concise language (only 252 pages). It should be required reading in high school. Everyone should possess this knowledge. Read this book and see the big picture.

If you've ever looked up in wonder at the stars in the night sky, or puzzled over the origins of the Earth, this is the book for you. A fabulous journey through centuries of scientific curiosity and discovery that left me wishing for more!

The articles written by some of the best baseball writers in the country and collected by editor John Thorn represent the best of "The National Pastime," the publication of the Society for American Baseball Research. The result is what I want to think of as more of an academic journal than a collection of sports stories, because "The National Pastime" is never going to put out a swimsuit issue.

Within these pages you will find G. H. Flemin's "Kaleidoscopic View" of the infamous Merkle Blunder, Bill James's statistical analysis of the relief pitcher's ERA advantage, and David S. Neft asking that immortal question: "Is Ozzie Smith Worth $2 Million a Season." This is a book that does not talk about Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle but rather Hack Wilson, Dick Allen and Roger Maris. For culture there are the poems "Van Lingle Mungo: An Elegiac Ode" and "Baseball Rhyme Time." and then for fun a Ballparks Quiz and Acrostic Puzzle. These are articles that want to talk about the almost no-hitters, newly discovered RBI records and expansion-era managers. But there are also stories about the St. Louis Cardinals planning a rebellion rather than playing a baseball game against the Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson and Bob Carroll's argument for 12 players who should be in the Hall of Fame, most of whom are still not there.

This is not a sit down and read at one sitting book. This is a spring training book, to get you ready for the season by getting you to think of the first game lost by the Cincinnati Reds in 1870, the importance of on-base percentage, and a ballplayers name to rhyme with Snider. It is also an effective subscription advertisement for "The National Pastime." I have been rereading a couple of articles from this book every spring (okay, when spring training starts since we have snow on the ground up here until well after Easter) for several years. This is not a book to leave unprotected on your must have list.

It's always difficult to find a book that isn't cloaked in modern day cinicism, and that's why THE NATIONAL PASTIME is one of the most refreshing books I've read in years. If you lazily daydream about your little league days, big league chew, and your first triple, then this will stoke the fires of nostalgia for you as it did for me. What i liked most is that I got the sense that the author is probably not that different from you or I--just a life-long fan who wants to share his passion for the greatest game ever played. The only difference may be the remarkable skill and wit with which he chronicles our nation's pastime. He'll make you want to get a stick ball game gong in the back yard.

Certainly there is no one who can match the breadth of Asimov's writings, although there are a few who can match the volume. The man truly can be described as "the human writing machine." This is a book about books, being a summary of the first 99 that he wrote. To be more precise, it is a collection of excerpts from several of those books interspersed with Asimov's personal commentary concerning his writing and how he came to write about that particular topic.
I found the commentary to be more interesting than the excerpts. He writes in a very personal style that seems to be directed to you as you read it. His tactics and even occasional humility, a rare thing for Asimov and something he readily admits, gives you a great deal of insight into how he could be so prolific and broad. He sums up his career very well when he admits that the only thing that he is expert at is in sounding like an expert.
I confess that I learned more science from reading Asimov's books than I did in satisfying the requirements for two majors in areas of science. He writes very well, making the complex understandable. If you are unfamiliar with his work, then this book is a good place to begin. If you have read nearly all of his over 300 books, then you can still read this for pleasure, something I just did for the third time.

In this book Mr. Asimov reviews his first 100 books. He presents a chapter from each one with some comments about the way the book was written, the characters (if it's a fiction story) or the research if it's a Science book. Compulsory reading for anyone interested in Science and/or Fiction.