I, Robot

I, Robot is a collection of 9 science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov. These appeared in the magazines Super Science Stories and Astounding Science Fiction between 1940 and 1950. They were then compiled into a book for stand-alone publication by Gnome Press in 1950. The stories are woven together by a framing narrative. The narrator is Dr. Susan Calvin, chief robopsychologist at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc., the major manufacturer of robots . She tells each story to a reporter (who serves as the narrator) in the 21st century. While you can read the stories as stand alone pieces, they share similar themes. This is the interaction of humans, robots, and morality. Read as one they tell a larger story of Asimov's fictional history of robotics.

The book also contains the short story in which Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics first appear:
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would 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 Laws.

These are vague enough to allow complications to arise from the interpretations of them. Not only by humans, but by the robots themselves.

I, Robot is an essential read for science-fiction buffs. The questions it poses about Artificial Intelligence, and the misconception that we all live in a golden age of technology. In summary, I, Robot is a thought-provoking, thrilling, and enjoyable book.