Conference noted::sf

If you like hardcovers, it's worth buying - otherwise borrow it from the
library now and buy the paperback later!  It's good reading; not only
as a cap to the Lije Baley stories, but it also serves as a bridge into
another series (you'll see at the end).

	/dave

I liked "Robots", but felt that Asimov was trying to show everybody
that he is "VERY MODERN".  I'm willing to plunk down $$ for the earliest
hardcover for any of Asimov's new books, something I can't say for any
other author (I've given up on Heinlein, for example).
				Steve

I have mixed feelings about "Robots of Dawn," so I agree with Dave that
unless you are in a real hurry to read it, wait until it comes out in
paperback.  Or borrow it from me.

I thought the pace was a little slow and there was too much dialogue.
The "modernness" didn't bother me, although I did stop to think whether
I should let my 11- and 13-year olds read it.  (I decided it was OK,
but made a mental note about "parental guidance."  It's no big deal,
really.  You'll have to understand my "puritanical" upbringing.)

I have now read the two previous Lije Baley stories, Caves of Steel, and
Naked Sun.  If you liked them, you should like Robots of Dawn.  Asimov
is amazingly consistent over a span of thirty years, at least for this
trilogy.  (Ignoring, of course, the "modernness" in Robots of Dawn that
reflects the changing of our own social mores over the last thirty years.)

I couldn't help but compare our "meeting" other Noters electronically
and the Solarians' "viewing" each other, in Naked Sun.  I hope we don't
get to the point of finding personal presence repulsive!

     I also read the first two and went right on to read Robots of Dawn.  
I found them to be similar in style, tone and subject matter.  No great changes
in the series despite the intervening time.  I liked all three of them.
I bought my Robots of Dawn from the SF book club (pseudo hard back) and felt 
it worth the money.

      Since I have already met a bunch of the noters on a trip to Bedford
not too long ago,i think I can say we're not in any danger of becoming 
Solarian in nature.  Every one I met was anxious to get together and I already
have several plans for my next trip up, both new poeple and repeats of the 
last time I was there.

tlh

Both "Foundations Edge" and "Robots of Dawn" are surprisingly strong.
Asimov is clearly trying to tie together all of his pseudo-histories,
and doing a good job of it.  He is also making an effort to write well.
I don't enjoy his emphasis on sex: one gets the feeling he is trying
hard to show he's not embarassed to write about it, and too large a
part of people's motivations becomes sexual in nature.  There is,
after all, money and power to write about.  Silverberg writes about
sex as a plot element better (e.g. "Book of Skulls").

Unlike Heinlein, Asimov is not exploiting the fact that he can sell
any words he writes, coherent or not.
					--jkb

    	Without a doubt, Asimov is the best Science Fiction writer I
    have ever had the priviledge to discover.  His combination of different
    motifs within a story is incredible.  I don't believe he emphasizes
    sex too much, either.  If anyone thinks so, pick up a copy of Friday
    by R. Hienlein.  It could disgust the most nymphomaniacly-perverted
    person I know (me).  (But it didn't.)
    	Robots of Dawn was one of his greatest triumphs.  (Behind
    you-all-know-what famous series.)  Didn't he write a fourth Robot
    book though?  I could tell you if I was at home.  If he did and
    it is the book I'm thinking of, it was even better.  I'll check
    tonight.
    							-John
    p.s.  It's great to know that other real people (adults) like S-F,
    and not just us college psuedo-intellectuals. 

    Hi,
      I'm new to this series.
      I think the book you're thinking of is "Robots and Empire", right?
      That's another great one!
    
    Kubby