Bookshelf Reviews by James Judge Robot Dreams - Isaac Asimov, Gollanz Paperback - œ3.50 After reading Robot Visions (another great collection of short stories by old As) I was delighted when a friend lent me this collection of short stories. There are twenty one stories in this book with the main emphasis on computers and robots. I won't tell you about all the stories just two of my favourite. The Last Question This takes a look at the future of mankind and a pretty big look it takes. It starts off with two scientists asking Multivac (the most intelligent computer of its time) what will happen to Multivac when all the suns stop burning and entropy sets in and Multivac cannot answer. Many years later someone else asks the best computer of their time the same question and the same answer is given. And so the story goes on; the question is asked and no answer is given until many millions of years later, when entropy has set in, the last remaining computer gives the answer "Le.." I'll let you find out for yourself. The Feeling Of Power We can see it now, can't we? Calculators and computers making the brain dormant when it comes to mathematics. If you were asked to divide 13769 by 6754 you'd want to revert to a calculator, wouldn't you? Anyway this story is about when, in the future, no-one knows how to add two and two together except this one man who, from studying the binary code in computers, is able to do simple calculations. This is a major breakthrough, according to the military and political powers who, once they were taught small additions (and take many minutes over them), plan manned missiles and such. As with all of Asimov's stories it leaves you with a feeling of what if it DOES happen. He's already predicted, through his stories, many scientific things that have, are or soon will come true. What's stopping this becoming fact? This is a wonderful book that just shows that there is no equal to Asimov with his ingenious brain and intimate knowledge of the scientific world. Miss it and you will regret it. Gridlock - Ben Elton, Sphere Books - œ4.99 This being the first Ben Elton book I've read I was quite dubious after seeing his rantings and ravings on TV - not that he isn't funny it's just that I didn't think that he would make a very good author. But, as usual, I was proved wrong. Gridlock is about a new car engine. A car engine that runs on hydrogen and the only waste product is water. Wow, I hear you say, terribly exciting. Well it wouldn't be except for the two heroes of the story, Geoffrey and Deborah, who are both disabled. Geoffrey is a sufferer of cerebral palsy and Deborah is confined to a wheelchair after a run in with a car which broke her spine. Ben Elton approaches the subject of disability in a humorous but sensible way, giving the readers a few chuckles but not at the expense of the characters' dignity. He also gets you thinking how terribly the world treats disabled people. Anyway on with the plot. Geoffrey is the scientist who invented the new engine, planning to attach it to Deborah's wheelchair so she doesn't have to grunt and groan wheeling herself around London. The only trouble is that Global Motors (the largest car company in America) also want the car design so they can capitalise the world's car market. Global Motors steal the plans and try to do away with Geoffrey so he doesn't sell them to a 'Green' organisation who will use it to better the Public Transport system (if only they would) and reduce the amount of private cars on the road. Two thugs are sent to kill Geoffrey but he bests them (well kills them, actually) with a couple of his inventions. No, not heat seeking laser guns or death dealing photons with knobbly bits on, just a bottle opener, a robotic arm that is clutching a coffee pot and a wheelchair lift! Enough said about the storyline before I completely spoil the book for you except to say that later on in the book you'll come across a transvestite politician, Deborah will go psycho (very hard to achieve when you're stuck in a wheelchair) and London will suffer a Gridlock. All in all these elements come together to form a slick book. It's the best comedy book I've ever read but not the best fiction book I've read. Buy it if you've got a sense of humour 'cause it'll have you chuckling all the way through - GREAT FUN. WARNING - If you are offended by strong language do not buy this book as it has its fair share.