This is the last autobiography of Asimov. It is published after his death in 1992, caused by AIDS he contracted in a surgery in the 1980s. Because of the social environment of the early 1990s, the real cause of his death is not disclosed. Now, his widow, writer Janet Asimov decided to reveal the truth. The society has changed a lot since 1992.
This autobiography contains copious diary entries and personal correspondence. Asimov is such a good writer that while I am reading this book, I see his countenance, I hear his voice, and it is very hard to let go the book. It is a page-turner.
In his book, he recounts his early life in Brooklyn in the 1930s, his first published story, his becoming a Ph.D. in Columbia University, and the anecdotes in the Military. Every story is so vividly depicted, we fell how the Old Doctor feels.
To my surprise, Asimov and Robert Heinlein briefly worked together during the World War II in a Navy search center. I laughed out loudly when I read his practical joke in the Navy was accepted to the face value.
Most important, Asimov expressed his deep love in writing, fictions, nonfictions, all kinds of scientific works. He mentioned his first typewriter, bought for him by his father for ten bucks. It reminds me my first typewriter in Wuhan, my hometown in China, for 400 RMB Yuan, or $50. Mine is a brand-new, his a second hand. However, mine is not so accomplished as his.
In numerous occasions, he mentioned his favorite story is "The Last Question", a question about the second law of Thermodynamics. In scientific term, the question is: can we decease the total entropy of the Universe? Finally, we get a surprise at the end of the book, as always.
After reading this book, I am eager to read his "Asimov's Guide to the Bible", and "Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare". I hastily added these two books to my reading list. Now my reading list is so desperately long. I hope I can reach the end early enough before it grows to an unmanageable length.
Actually, I never read of his mysteries, all I read about is his science fictions or nonfictions. If I have enough time, I will pay my homage to his mysteries.
In the end of the book, there is a list of all his works. For my own reference, I put the list here. I believe in Asimov's homepage, there is a similar list. There are 18 pages! The Old Doctor is so productive, and productive is such an understatement for him!
