First edition

Machines That Think is a compilation of 29 science fiction stories probing the scientific, spiritual, and moral facets of computers and robots and speculating on their future. It was edited by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg, and Patricia S. Warrick.

Published in 1984 by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, it features a foreword by Asimov, the celebrated creator of the Three Laws of Robotics. (At five stories, Asimov's contributions dominate the book's contents.) Machines That Think was reprinted in 1992 by Wings Books as War with the Robots. (However, one story — "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison — was removed.)

Each story has introductory notes by Warrick, author of The Cybernetic Imagination in Science Fiction (1981), explaining the significance of the story in the context of science fiction's evolution of ideas concerning artificial intelligence. This anthology is a companion piece to that non-fiction book, providing the source material upon which Warrick's analysis is based.

Contents

TitleAuthorOriginally published
Moxon’s MasterAmbrose Biercess San Francisco Examiner Apr 16, 1899
The Lost MachineJohn Wyndham (as John Beynon Harris)nv Amazing Apr ’32
RexHarl Vincentss Astounding Jun ’34
Robbie [“Strange Playfellow”]Isaac Asimovss Super Science Stories Sep ’40
Farewell to the MasterHarry Batesnv Astounding Oct ’40
Robot’s ReturnRobert Moore Williamsss Astounding Sep ’38
Though Dreamers DieLester del Reynv Astounding Feb ’44
FulfillmentA. E. van Vogtnv New Tales of Space and Time, ed. Raymond J. Healy, Holt, 1951
Runaround [Mike Donovan (Robot)]Isaac Asimovnv Astounding Mar ’42
I Have No Mouth, and I Must ScreamHarlan Ellisonss If Mar ’67
The Evitable Conflict [Susan Calvin (Robot)]Isaac Asimovnv Astounding Jun ’50
A Logic Named JoeMurray Leinster (as Will F. Jenkins)ss Astounding Mar ’46
Sam HallPoul Andersonnv Astounding Aug ’53
I Made YouWalter M. Miller, Jr.ss Astounding Mar ’54
TriggermanJ. F. Boness Astounding Dec ’58
War with the RobotsHarry Harrisonnv Science Fiction Adventures (UK) #27 ’62
Evidence [Susan Calvin (Robot)]Isaac Asimovss Astounding Sep ’46
2066: Election DayMichael Shaarass Astounding Dec ’56
If There Were No Benny CemoliPhilip K. Dicknv Galaxy Dec ’63
The Monkey WrenchGordon R. Dicksonss Astounding Aug ’51
Dial “F” for FrankensteinArthur C. Clarkess Playboy Jan ’65
The Macauley CircuitRobert Silverbergss Fantastic Universe Aug ’56
JudasJohn Brunnerss Dangerous Visions, ed. Harlan Ellison, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1967
AnswerFredric Brownvi Angels and Spaceships, Dutton, 1954
The Electric AntPhilip K. Dickss F&SF Oct ’69
The Bicentennial ManIsaac Asimovnv Stellar #2, ed. Judy-Lynn del Rey, Ballantine, 1976
Long ShotVernor Vingess Analog Aug ’72
Alien StonesGene Wolfenv Orbit 11, ed. Damon Knight, G.P. Putnam’s, 1972
StarcrossedGeorge Zebrowskiss Eros in Orbit, ed. Joseph Elder, Trident, 1973

See also


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