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The Gods Themselves
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The Gods Themselves (1972) (edit title/settings)

by Isaac Asimov (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Only a few know the terrifying truth--an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun.  They know the truth--but who will listen?  They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy--but... read more

Summary edit see section history

Note: Asimov presents the story as numbered, out-of-order, sections. The following synopsis tells the story chronologically.

In Part I, Frederick Hallam discovers a sample of tungsten that has become plutonium 186. Since plutonium 186 cannot exist under the physical constraints of this... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Note: Asimov presents the story as numbered, out-of-order, sections. The following synopsis tells the story chronologically.

In Part I, Frederick Hallam discovers a sample of tungsten that has become plutonium 186. Since plutonium 186 cannot exist under the physical constraints of this universe (it decays to tungsten), he deduces that there is a parallel universe where tungsten decays to plutonium 186. He essentially discovers an endless supply of cheap energy, which is extracted via the Electron Pump. Lamont, a scientist writing the history of the Electron Pump, proposes that the existence of the Pump is mainly due to the efforts of the para-men, and Hallam ruins his career. Lamont and Bronowski, a linguist, set out to prove that the Pump is potentially dangerous. They do find some evidence, but no one wants to believe them.
In Part II, In the parallel universe, we learn about Tritt, Dua, and Odeen, a triad of Soft Ones. Odeen is a left/Rational, Tritt a right/Parental, and Dua a mid/Emotional. Together, they occasionally 'merge' (Asimov's famed description of alien sex). Dua discovers the dangers of the Electron Pump for the humans, but the Hard Ones, the mentors of the Soft Ones, reason that they need the energy too much to save Earth. The triad decides to fuse (the final melt) in order to exert influence over the other Hard Ones, but Dua realizes, in the process, that they will become Estwald, the inventor of the Pump.
In Part III, Denison, Hallam's rival, has discovered the danger of the Pump and a solution (with the help of Selene Lindstrom): tapping into another universe, a cosmic egg (cosmeg). Denison and Selene also foil a plot to take the moon out of orbit using the cosmeg pump.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Dr. Frederick Hallam: a radiochemist, father of the Electron Pump; not particularly bright and defensive because of it
  • Dr. Peter Lamont: a young scientist writing the history of the Electron Pump; he discovers that it could be dangerous for humanity
  • Myron Bronowski: a linguist and Lamont's partner in determining whether the Electron Pump is dangerous
  • Odeen: a Rationalist, part of Tritt and Dua's triad
  • Tritt: a Parental, part of Odeen and Dua's triad
  • Dua: an Emotional, part of Odeen and Dua's triad
  • Benjamin Allan Denison: a radiochemist, builder of cosmeg pump; Hallam's rival
  • Selene Lindstrom: a tourist guide on the Moon and Denison's helper
  • Estwald: a Hard One that the triad has been hearing about; discoverer of the Electron Pump
  • Commissioner Konrad Gottstein: Earth-born commissioner on the moon.
  • Barron Neville: a physicist on the moon, Selene's friend-with-benefits
Show all 11 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.”
    Myron Brownowski, quoting Friedrich Schiller
  • “Denison never forgot that moment for it was his own remark that drove Hallam to the Nobel Prize and himself to oblivion.”
  • “Shall I demand every man give up the personal comfort and affluence he has learned to get used to, thanks to the Pump, just because one man cries 'Doom' while all the other scientists stand against him, and the revered Hallam calls him an idiot? No, sir, I will not go down in flames for nothing.”
    Senator Burt, to Peter Lamont
  • “"We lack the authority to make any such statement.""Yes, but they won't know, and in the end we'll be mankind's heroes.""Even if they execute us first?""Even so ... It's in your hands, Mike, and I'm sure it won't take much longer."”
    Peter Lamont and Myron Brownowski
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • ‘Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.’
    Highlighted by 46 Kindle customers
  • “It is a mistake,” he said, “to suppose that the public wants the environment protected or their lives saved and that they will be grateful to any idealist who will fight for such ends. What the public wants is their own individual comfort.
    Highlighted by 38 Kindle customers
  • He’s a pygmy with only one talent, the ability to convince others he’s a giant.”
    Highlighted by 7 Kindle customers
  • I would rather not like you for telling me not to do things, than not have you around to tell me not to do things.”
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • Tritt listened placidly, clearly understanding nothing, but content to be listening; while Odeen, transmitting nothing, was as clearly content to be lecturing.
    Highlighted by 6 Kindle customers
  • learned—“Lefts are Rationals, Dua. Rights are Parentals.
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • Does everyone just believe what he wants to?” “As long as possible. Sometimes longer.”
    Highlighted by 5 Kindle customers
  • At the age of twenty-five I was still such a child that I had to amuse myself by insulting a fool for no reason other than that he was a fool. Since his folly was not his fault, I was the greater fool to do it.
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • “All they have to do is refuse to believe it means death. The easiest way to solve a problem is to deny it exists.
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
  • Let us design a Universe, for after all whatever we design must exist, and search for it.”
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
Show all 14 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

"No good!" said Lamont, sharply.

Table of Contents edit see section history

I. Against stupidity ...

II. ... The gods themselves ...

III. ... Contend in vain?

Glossary edit see section history

  • Electron Pump: a device which transfers electrons into our universe from a parallel universe
  • Cosmeg Pump (Cosmic Egg Pump): a device that balances out the Electron Pump, and keeps humanity from danger while still providing free energy
  • Soft One: one of a triad of Emotionals, Parentals, and Rationals.
  • Hard One: A fully-merged triad. Soft Ones are unable to remember their Hard One existence when they return to their Soft One selves (before the final merging).

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Isaac Asimov (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: United States
Publication Date: 1972
ISBN: 0-385-02701-X
Page Count: 288

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: 72180055
  • Dewey: 813/.5/4

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Alien sex: non-graphic in the sense that it is not referred to as anything other than "melting"/"merging".Some mentions of nudity and (human) sex, in Part III.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
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