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Cover of Robots through the Ages

Robots through the Ages

by Robert Silverberg

Book Details

Publisher:Blackstone Publishing
Published:2023-07-25
Pages:473
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

A remarkable collection, Robots through the Ages includes stories from some of the best writers of science fiction, both old and new. This anthology, with an introduction by Robert Silverberg, offers a sweeping survey of robots as depicted throughout literature. Since The Iliad—in which we are shown golden statues built by Hephaestus “with minds and wisdoms”—humans have been fascinated by the idea of artificial life. From the Argonautica to the medieval Jewish legend of the Golem and Ambrose Bie

Our Review

This anthology offers a sweeping historical survey of robotic fiction, tracing the concept of artificial life from its ancient origins in texts like The Iliad and the Argonautica to classic and contemporary science fiction. With an introduction by Robert Silverberg, the collection showcases how the robot has evolved as a literary figure, beginning with Hephaestus's golden automatons and moving through seminal tales like those of the Golem and stories by Ambrose Bierce.

What makes this compilation distinctive is its chronological breadth, connecting ancient myths directly to the modern sci-fi genre and demonstrating the enduring human fascination with creating life. Readers who enjoy seeing how foundational ideas develop across centuries, from folklore to hard science fiction, will find this a compelling and insightful read that provides crucial context for one of the genre's most enduring themes.

Themes

Fiction

Subjects

Fiction