The concept behind this collection is interesting as it pairs Asimov's short fiction and non-fiction. I usually don't consider myself a fan of non-fiction (Asimov's or otherwise). Admittedly, I only read half of the non-fiction stories, and will stay found them well written but at times really unpleasant to read. When Asimov is misogynist in his fiction, at least there is that layer of removal that fiction creates between the author and the narrative voice, but this is just unadulterated Asimovian ickiness.

But the reason I picked up this collection is because I wanted to read a number of his best short stories, which are anthologized here. My two favorites: "Nightfall" and "The Ugly Little Boy." Other, really strong stories in this collection: "Found!" "Belief" "The Dead Past" "Breeds There a Man?" and "The Last Question." ( )

This collection left me a little bit disappointed. "The Ugly Little Boy" was the only story that I rated as high as an 8/10. Of the rest, there were several that were good, and several that were fairly mediocre. I had expected to really like the very famous story "Nightfall," but I would put it in the "really good concept, not particularly stunning execution" category. "Belief," a story about a professor who can't convince his colleagues of the truth of his laws of physics defying experiences, was my least favorite. I tried about half of the non-fiction essays, and found them very dry and largely uninteresting. If you don't come to them with a great reverence for the accomplishments of famous scientists and mathematicians, I doubt they are going to be of much interest. ( )