The Stars, Like Dust: Galactic Empires, Book 1

I'd only read this book once before; having found it impossible to find in bookshops I borrowed it through my library and they had to borrow it from another library in another part of the country on my behalf.I had been re-reading my almost complete set of Asimov and when I saw 'The Stars, Like Dust' was available through Amazon I decided I had to have it. The binding is different [larger] format than most of my other Asimov paperback books (I have a few in hardcover too), but it contains the story so that is all that matters. I'm pleased I now have almost all of his SF writings, either in book form or on my Kindle.

Of all Asimov's stand alone novels, this is probably one of the most overlooked. Which is a pity because it is a very good thriller-cum-mystery with an excellent beginning and an unlikely twist at the end. Asimov rarely went for the raygun shoot-outs which have peppered many a sci-fi tale and this proves just how pleasing his approach was. Seemingly every sci-fi story nowadays, whether filmed or written, involves endless shoot-outs with lasers, phasers, light-sabres or good old-fashioned ray guns. "The Stars, Like Dust", like all Asimov's sci-fi stories, proves it is possible to have good sci-fi without people and aliens being zapped all the time.

I read this book when I was in my twenties, now in my sixties, and it's just as enjoyable as the rest of the Asimov books I've just bought from Amazon

This is chronologically the first of Asimov's Galactic Empire trilogy, though published second in 1951 after Pebble in the Sky the previous year. Asimov once described this as his least favourite novel and in some respects it hasn't aged well, particularly in the depiction of the only female character. On the other hand, the science and technology feels more advanced than in the original Foundation trilogy, written a decade before but set many thousands of years later in galactic history. Of course it is a truism to say that SF says more about the time in which it is written than the time in which it is set. The plot here centres around a rebellious aristocrat whose father has been executed by the aptly named Tyranni who rule a confederation of planetary systems near the Horsehead Nebula. The final plot Macguffin about the inspiration for the rebellion being the US Constitution is a highly implausible anti-climax that was not Asimov's idea, but insisted on by the editor of the magazine in which the story originally appeared in parts. Certainly one of his weaker novels, but still a decent page turner.

Bought to add to my bookcase, read many years ago before I moved and gave away most of my books.

Having read Asimov's robot series I moved onto this trilogy of books known as the Galactic Empire series, as far as I can tell loosely connected to both his Robot books and his later Foundation series. This series comprises of three self contained novels with chronologically The Stars, Like Dust being the first of the three though apparently written last.I liked the book overall. It focuses on a character named Biron Farill, a university student currently on earth about to get his degree. One night someone tries to kill him and he learns his father may be dead having been caught as part of a aplot against the Tyranni Empire which has currently conquested 50 planets. Biron is then sent forth not knowing who to trust or what is happening.The story idea is pretty good and there are some interesting characters and scenarios to be had throughout. I especially like Gillbert Hinriad who has been acting like a fool for years to trick the Tyranni but is smarter then he seems if not quite got his marbles. The problem with the book for me though is that it really is a product of the generation it was written in (1951) especially in regards to females who on more than one occasion are referred to as "creatures" and Biron even comments on one character in his head saying she would be lovely if she was under control or words to that effect that I found especially cringe worthy. Poor treatment of women aside after a few interesting twists and turns I also found the very ending to be just awful which was a real let down in literally the last paragraph, it was just ridiculous. I couldmn't stop rolling my eyes.In summery I did enjoy it overall but just bear in mind it isn't as deep as modern novels in characterisation, treatment of women is horrendously outdated and the ending is kind of poor. It does however have good ideas and is still a pretty enjoyable vintage sci-fi novel worth a read if only to see how things have changed.+ Nice story idea.+ Some interesting characters and scenarios.- Attitude towards women is a product of when it was written.- Ending was a let down.

Excellent

Brilliant...

I have read a lot of Asimov including 2 or 3 times through the Foundation series. For some reason I never read these books. It is very much as I expected - elements of hard Science Fiction with some intrigue and many comments on human behavior. If this is your introduction to Asimov be sure to remember when this was written and sample from each of his series. There are many extraordinary stories waiting for you.

Splendido romanzo

A story of adventure, mystery and love written in that characteristic style Asimov has made popular throughout his scifi works.

This is a 2009 edition of a novel that was originally published in 1951. This edition is a well-made paperback, published in America by Tom Doherty Associates. Very good to have it available on Amazon India.According to the internal, fictional, chronology, “The Stars, Like Dust” forms the first book of the three-book Empire series by the great American sci-fi writer, Isaac Asimov. In the empire series, mankind has spread over multiple planets around the Galaxy. There are various kingdoms across the Galaxy and a Galactic Empire is slowly taking shape. (An empire in which the events of Asimov’s seven-volume Foundation series subsequently take place.)Like any sci-fi written by Asimov, the novel is entertaining and enjoyable. But it is not Asimov’s best work. In fact, Asimov himself thought it to be his worst work. I think there is just one cringeworthy bit in there that makes it bad; the rest of it is fantastic as usual.Biron Farrill, a student studying in a university on Earth, is the son of the king of the planet Widemos (where a king are called “rancher”). One day Farrill hears that his father has been murdered, probably by the despotic rulers of a planet called Tyrann, …

Livro maravilhoso, traça os caminhos da ficção científica. Leitura recomendada. Asimov no seu melhor. Leitura obrigatória juntamente com a séria Foundation.