Isaac Asimov's Robot Mysteries at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore

Isaac Asimov [1920-1992] was one of the giants of science fiction literature, as well as one of the most prolific: he wrote 470 books, while working as a professor of biochemistry at Boston University Medical School. He wrote his first robot short story in 1939, at the age of 19. His first bestseller was the book "I, Robot", which is included here because some say it is necessary as background to the robot mysteries.

[The term 'robot' first appeared in Czech playwright Karel Capek's 1921 drama "R.U.R.", which stood for "Rossum's Universal Robots". The term is derived from a Czech word for worker or slave.]

         An editor at Galaxy Magazine suggested that Asimov write a robot detective novel, and Asimov followed the suggestion only partway, making the detective a human named Elijah Baley, who worked with a robot sidekick named R. Daneel Olivaw. The story "Caves of Steel" was serialized in Galaxy in 1953 and published in book form in 1954.
         The sequel novel, "The Naked Sun", was serialized in Astounding in 1956 and published in 1957. "The Robots of Dawn" was not published until 1983, and introduced a second robot sidekick, R. Giskard Reventlov. In the fourth book, "Robots & Empire", Asimov chose to allow Baley and Giskard to die while Daneel lived (and solved the case). Asimov was amazed at the storm of letters from readers more unhappy about the death of robot Giskard than about the death of the human Baley.
         The other Asimov books included on this page are early and late short stories about robots written by Asimov which often interconnect with the four Robot Mysteries.

         The 'Three Laws of Robotics' devised by Asimov before robots even existed may be the longest-lasting legacy from any sci-fi author, in that these laws are embedded in the science and design of robots in the XXIst Century and will likely remain significant as long as robots are built.
         These laws are:
    1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, thru inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
    2. A robot must obey the orders given it by a human being, except where such orders conflict with the First Law.
    3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Shortly before his death in 1992, Asimov approved an outline by Roger MacBride Allen for three novels set between "Robots and Empire" and the Empire series. And in September 2000, sci-fi author Mark W. Tiedemann published "Mirage", the first of a trilogy of mystery novels set in the Spacer worlds environment created by Asimov in the first four books; his central characters are taken from various Asimov-related works, such as "Robot City".

"Have Robot, Will Travel: The New Isaac Asimov's Robot Mystery" [2004]
by Alexander C. Irvine
described as 'a continuation of the Mark W. Tiedemann/Asimovian universe'

"Isaac Asimov's Robots VCR Mystery Game" interactive movie [1988]
from Eastman Kodak Company
For the first time in 100 years, someone has attempted a murder, and it may happen again. Who did it? Was it an Earthling, a Spacer, or the unthinkable . . . a Robot? This is the only video game based on Isaac Asimov's 'Robot' novels. It features fast action, special effects, and a cast of some of the most ruthless characters you'll ever meet. For 1 to 12 players, ages 10 & up. � Directed by Doug Smith & Kim Takal; screenplay by Peter Olatka, based on Isaac Asimov's Robot series; starring Stephen Rowe as Elijah Baley, Brent Barrett as R. Daneel Olivaw, and John Henry Cox as Han Fastolfe, with Valarie Pettiford, Richard Levine, Larry Block, Eric Tull, George Merritt, Darrie Lawrence, Debra Jo Rupp, Eleni Kelakos � credits at IMDb
Wood Knapp Video VHS tape [4/90] for $10.00
Wood Knapp Video VHS tape [4/90] for $19.99

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	"Caves of Steel" [1953] Bantam Spectra pb [12/91] for $7.50 Doubleday hardcover [6/54] out of print/used
	"The Naked Sun" [1957] Bantam Spectra pb [12/91] for $7.50 Doubleday hardcover [6/57] out of print/used
	"Robots of Dawn" [1983] excerpt published in Nov 1983 issue of Penthouse Magazine Bantam Spectra pb [4/94] for $6.99 Doubleday hardcover [10/83] out of print/used Caedmon Audio [1/86] out of print/used
	"Robots and Empire" [1985] Acacia Press pb [10/86] for $21.94 Doubleday hardcover [9/85] out of print/used
	Asimov's Robot Trilogy includes "The Caves of Steel", "The Naked Sun" & "The Robots of Dawn" Del Rey 8½x5½ trade pb [8/88] for $28.99

	"The Rest of The Robots" [1964] Acacia Press pb [10/68] for $18.94 Doubleday hardcover [6/64] out of print/used
	"The Complete Robot" [1982] Acacia Press pb [12/83] for $21.94 Doubleday hardcover [3/82] out of print/used
	"Robot Visions" [18 stories & 18 essays; 1990] Illustrations by Ralph McQuarrie NAL pb [7/96] for $7.99 NAL hardcover [4/90] out of print/used
	"Robot Dreams: Remembering Tomorrow" [18 stories 1994] Illustrations by Ralph McQuarrie Ace 9x6 trade pb [6/2004] for $10.50 Ace pb [9/94] for $6.29

	"I, Robot" [1950] ten stories as told by robo-psychologist Dr. Susan Calvin Bantam pb [7/94] for $7.50 Doubleday hardcover [6/63] out of print/used
	"I, Robot: The Illustrated Screenplay" [1994] Script by Harlan Ellison, Illustrations by Mark Zug "The greatest science fiction movie never made." Warner Books 9x6 pb [12/94] out of print/used
	"I, Robot" feature film [Fox July 2004] Directed by Alex Proyas; screenplay by Jeff Vintar & Akiva Goldsman; starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Tudyk & James Cromwell Fox widescreen color Blu-ray [3/2008] for $12.99 Fox Collector's Edition widescreen color DVD [5/2005] 2 disks for $17.99 Fox widescreen color DVD [12/2004] for $10.49 Fox color DVD [12/2004] for $13.49 Fox color VHS [12/2004] priced for rental market Fox VHS subtitled in Spanish [12/2004] out of prodn/used Verese soundtrack CD [7/2004] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb

	"Mirage" [#1=2000] iBooks 9.2x6 pb [9/2000] out of print/used
	"Chimera" [#2=2001] Pocket Books 9x6 pb [4/2001] for $10.47
	"Aurora" [#3=2002] iBooks 9x6 pb [4/2002] out of print/used

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BlackHat Mystery Bookstore
Isaac Asimov's
Robot Mysteries