The Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov; A Definitive and Critical Investigation of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Novels and Stories [from the front cover of the dust jacket]

The format is approximately 5.75 inches by 8.25 inches. xxvii, [1], 283, [1] pages. Bibliography. Index. The dust jacket has wear, teats and soiling. The contents include Preface, Introduction, The Earliest Asimov, Asimov's Robots, Asimov's Foundations I, Asimov's Foundations II Asimov's Novels I, Asimov's Novels II, Asimov's Collections I, Asimov's Collections II, and Conclusions: The Most Recent Asimov. Joseph F. Patrouch, Jr. was a US author and critic who has written some short science fiction but first began to publish work of genre interest with two booklets on the sf of Isaac Asimov: Isaac Asimov's I, Robot: A Study Guide and The Short Fiction of Isaac Asimov: A Study Guide. These were presumably spinoffs from his more substantial work The Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov (1974), completed in graduate school at the University of Dayton. This study is extremely detailed in its examination of Asimov's narrative strategies; Patrouch's approach to literary craftsmanship does explain where Asimov's strengths really lay. The Joseph F. Patrouch, Jr. was an associate professor of English at the University of Dayton, with an M.S. degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin. The Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov is not only a thorough and illuminating analysis of Asimov the writer, but a rare and exciting glimpse of the man behind the words. This is the great grand-daddy of books of Asimovian literary criticism. One of the earliest books to be devoted to analysis of Asimov’s fiction, it is still one of the best. Patrouch approaches the subject as a fan who wants to analyze Asimov’s writing techniques in order to understand how better to write himself. He sees the strengths of Asimov’s work but also looks carefully at any perceived flaws. All of Asimov’s fiction through The Gods Themselves is covered, with the exception of a number of short stories which are characterized as throw-aways. Patrouch has a light prose style not entirely unlike Asimov’s own and reads very well. His analyses are thorough and insightful, and the book generally free of errors. Patrouch covers more of Asimov’s fiction than anybody else and covers it at least as well. This is a delightful book. No Asimov scholar should be without a copy. First Edition [stated] Presumed first printing.…