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The Humanoids (Humanoids #1)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 331 ratings · 27 reviews

"Without a doubt one of the most important science-fantasy books of its decade." - Damon Knight

On the far planet Wing IV, a brilliant scientist creates the humanoids - sleek black androids programmed to serve humanity. But are they perfect servants or perfect masters? Slowly the humanoids spread throughout the galaxy, threatening to stifle all human endeavor. Only a hidden...more

Mass Market Paperback, 259 pages

Published April 1980 by Avon (first published 1948)

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Aug 18, 2011 Sandy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The late 1940s was a period of remarkable creativity for future sci-fi Grand Master Jack Williamson. July '47 saw the release of his much-acclaimed short story "With Folded Hands" in the pages of "Astounding Science-Fiction," followed by the tale's two-part serialized sequel, "And Searching Mind," in that influential magazine's March and April 1948 issues. "Darker Than You Think," Williamson's great sci-fi/fantasy/horror hybrid, was released later in 1948, and 1949 saw the publication of "And Se...more The late 1940s was a period of remarkable creativity for future sci-fi Grand Master Jack Williamson. July '47 saw the release of his much-acclaimed short story "With Folded Hands" in the pages of "Astounding Science-Fiction," followed by the tale's two-part serialized sequel, "And Searching Mind," in that influential magazine's March and April 1948 issues. "Darker Than You Think," Williamson's great sci-fi/fantasy/horror hybrid, was released later in 1948, and 1949 saw the publication of "And Searching Mind" in hardcover form, and retitled "The Humanoids." "With Folded Hands" had been a perfect(ly downbeat) short story that introduced us to the Humanoids, sleek black robots invented by a technician named Sledge on planet Wing IV. The robots' built-in Prime Directive (hmmm...why does that phrase seem so familiar?) is "To Serve and Obey, And Guard Men From Harm." Unfortunately, this leaves mankind with very little to do, as the mechanicals prevent humans from participating in anything that might be potentially dangerous; in other words, just about everything! Sledge's efforts to wipe out the master brain on Wing IV that is controlling the billions of self-replicating mechanicals are, sadly, fruitless, which sets us up for the action in "The Humanoids."

Flash forward 90 years. (Actually, this novel takes place a good 6,000 years from our present day, the reader infers.) On an unnamed planet, a physicist named Forester, head of a secret government project that is constructing a prototype "rhodomagnetic" bomb, comes to realize that the newly arrived Humanoids on his world are a bane, not a boon, to mankind. This realization is strengthened when the robots give his wife the brain-wiping drug known as euphoride to keep her happy, and when his beloved pet project is dismantled by the Humanoids as being too dangerous for men to engage in. Forester joins a band of "paraphysical" misfits--gifted with the powers of clairvoyance, telekinesis, telepathy and teleportation--to fight the Humanoids and alter their Prime Directive by going to the distant world of Wing IV itself. Readers expecting a traditional humans vs. ray-zapping evil robots story (such as Williamson's 1939 novel "After World's End") may be surprised to learn that this engrossing tale is anything but. The robots here are not at all presented as evil; if anything, they are guilty of killing mankind's spirit with too much kindness, and their benevolence is ultimately a mixed blessing at best. In the book's ambivalently downbeat ending, a case is made for the Humanoids' positive aspects (by Sledge himself, here, for some reason, renamed Warren Mansfield) that is almost a convincing one. Depending on the reader's outlook, I suppose a society in which the individual is free to do nothing but laze, paint, think and play (no sports, though; too dangerous, say the Humanoids!) could be regarded as a paradise or a hell. "The Humanoids," besides offering those convincing (?) sociological arguments, also gives us some impressive pseudoscience to explain the very nature of reality, extrasensory abilities and the binding forces that hold nature together. "Rhodomagnetism" is a made-up word that Williamson uses often to describe a source of energy based on a different triad of elements than electromagnetism, and before things are done, Forester comes up with a group of equations involving "platinomagnetism" that allows its possessor to gain various "paramechanical" abilities. This use of arcane scientific equations to cause changes in the power of the mind was very reminiscent, for this reader, of Henry Kuttner's classic short novel from 1946, "The Fairy Chessmen"; as in that earlier tale, "The Humanoids" grows increasingly "way out" as it progresses. It is a finely written, suspenseful, action-packed yarn that is at the same time chock-full of interesting scientific speculations. It has been called Williamson's "greatest science fiction novel," and while I cannot claim to have read more than 1/10 of the author's nearly 80-year output (!), the greatness of the novel is hard to deny. I would never dream of revealing whether or not Forester & Co. are successful in their efforts against the Humanoids, but can report that the author did come out with a very belated sequel, "The Humanoid Touch," in 1980. Say no more, right?(less)

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Feb 26, 2010 Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dark, science-fiction

Every so often, I run across a book that has an intriguing idea, but is rather dull and dry for reading. Vinge’s Rainbows End and Flynn’s Eifelheim are two recent examples, and now Williamson’s The Humanoids can go on that list. I discovered the book through a Webcomic, of all things, but the description of the novel captured my imagination: In a distant future, the Humanoids, a race of robots with a prime directive to protect humans at all costs, effectively invades different planets and takes...more Every so often, I run across a book that has an intriguing idea, but is rather dull and dry for reading. Vinge’s Rainbows End and Flynn’s Eifelheim are two recent examples, and now Williamson’s The Humanoids can go on that list. I discovered the book through a Webcomic, of all things, but the description of the novel captured my imagination: In a distant future, the Humanoids, a race of robots with a prime directive to protect humans at all costs, effectively invades different planets and takes over. The Humanoids are so painstakingly dedicated to their directive that humans cannot cook (the heat is too dangerous), perform crafts (scissors can be dangerous), or even drive (cars are too dangerous). Once they begin their assimilation into society, the humans begin to feel imprisoned, and any signs of unhappiness on their part is met with a form of lobotomy so that humans no longer feel unhappy. It’s a frightening concept, and it made me uneasy during much of the novel.

The novel is actually a collection of a short story, “With Folded Hands,” that introduces the Humanoids, and the novel proper, which continues with the concept of their invasion. They were both published in the late 1940s, and aside from the usual sexist portrayals of women and men, it’s still a timely book. The writing style became obtuse in portions, as the author spent a great deal of the narrative discussing the science behind the rhodomagnetic science, but the story itself captured me. The story accounts several attempts by humans to stop the Humanoids, only to show them fail each time. I felt anxious for the characters to end the tyranny of the overprotective androids, and frustrated when they met with failure each time. The Humanoids were just too efficient to defeat.

Which brings me to the point of the novel that troubles me. It’s depressing, to me, to think of a rule such as this, and the novel doesn’t bring any clear resolution to the issue that makes me feel any better about it. There is a happy ending, of sorts, but it’s more a case of mutual existence between the Humanoids and the humans, and I almost felt betrayed by that conclusion. The story is told in such a way as to make the reader feel as outraged as the protagonists, but in the end, I felt cheated by the ending. Was I supposed to? Or was I supposed to be accepting of the final outcome between the humans and their captors?

I enjoyed the novel, because it contained some interesting social commentary, and elicited some genuine emotion from me. It was slow going, but ultimately satisfying. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to catch up on some of the more obscure classic science fiction, and would suggest that they email me about it when they finish it so I can see if I’m the only one who feels like I do about the conclusion.(less)

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Apr 28, 2013 Manuel rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

It’s psychics versus robots!

We´re not in Asimovian territory...

And it gets weirder from there. I’m not sure if it’s just the nature of Golden Age SF, but this book is a real mess. I remember reading it a long time ago in my teens. The pacing is weird, as Jack Williamson goes through the key moments (like the humanoid takeover of Starmont society), as well as having characters totally disappear (the entire psychic team mostly fades away after an elaborate introduction, eg, "Graystone the Great"...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Jeff Brateman rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a great introduction to sci-fi for anyone who lived during the first half of the 20th century. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, the concepts are a bit dated, sexist, and silly. Williamson drags along the journey of The Humanoids conquering of the world during the short story "With Folded Hands", and one remaining chance for humanity to save itself in the actual novel. The short story was great, and I wasn't eager to start the novel after the story, because it felt so complete on its ow...more

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May 18, 2011 Gardy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urania, fantascienza

Il confronto / scontro tra esseri umani e androidi più o meno tecnologici nei suoi innomerevoli sviluppi sembra ricalcare il più antico topos del cofronto tra fredde, perfette divinità e caldi, perfettibili umani.
Se ogni filone letterario pare sempre perdere nella notte della civiltà, questo romanzo di Williamson pone un interrogativo ancora oggi sconcertantamente attuale: quanto gli umani sono in grado di gestire il progresso tecnologico da loro ottenuto e quanto questo può donare loro la felic...more

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May 03, 2012 Saretta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: language-ita, sf-robot, edition-nord-cosmo, sf-sociology, sf

Mi ha lasciato sensazioni simili a quelle che mi ha dato la lettura di Arancia Meccanica (o la visione del film), perchè il libro, una volta tolto il contesto fantascientifico, tratta del libero arbitrio umano.
Nella parte iniziale l'arrivo degli umanoidi segna per molte persone l'annullamento della possibilità di fare qualunque cosa: gli esseri umani sono fragili e tutto è troppo pericoloso.
Il romanzo segue i tentativi di Clay Forester di liberarsi degli ingombranti robot scontrandosi anche con...more

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Nov 29, 2011 MB Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I finished reading The Humanoids last night. I love good SF from the Golden Age, and this is an excellent example. The edition I read includes both The Humanoids novel and the short story “With Folded Hands” (1947) its prequel. Both are very good, although I think I might have enjoyed “With Folded Hands” a bit more.

The Humanoids is a robot story (and I love robot stories). Well The Humanoids is a story about the relationship between robots and humans. Williamson’s humanoids have a Prime Directi...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Simon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-wwe-grand-master, sf

The central conundrum this novel explores is the dichotomy between safety and liberty. At first glance they seem to be mutually exclusive, an inevitable trade-off between one and the other, but is it conceivable that they might ever be reconciled, for humanity to achieve both completely?

Humanity has spread out across the galaxy but now someone has unleashed a race of supremely powerful robots who's prime directive is to protect all humanity from harm. The are going from planet to planet imposing...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Denis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: softcover

This is a novelized or expanded version of the great shorter novella "With Folded Hands" written in 1947, in the aftermath of WWII and the disastrous deployment of the atomic bomb. The point is made that by exploiting a new technology developed with all the best intentions (in this case a Humanoid robot that is designed in the Asimov "Three Laws Of Robotics" fashion, meaning it will not hurt a human being) can have devastating effects.

In Williamson's story, just about everyone in society acquire...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Kernos rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

This is an interesting semi-hard golden age Sci-Fi novel. Much of the science is up to date for the time, but it also contains fictional (or proposed) science which seems to be internally consistent. I appreciated the technical details in both the science and the speculative science. It is also a fictional proposal of what we now call a GUT or Grand Unification Theory, combining all of the fundamental forces of the universe into one elegant equation. He does this by creating 2 additional forces...more

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Sep 19, 2009 Jeff rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction

(from my book lover's journal at the time of reading)
A book about men, not Man—well, that's a bit extreme: women characters are negligible except for little Jane the psychomechanical prodigy. I could not fathom Ironsmith's psyche, but that might be good. Aside from the excessive use of adjectives and adverbs—nearly every verb and noun had at least one modifier—and the terrible copy-editing, this editor dude (i.e., i) raced through the prose eager to ingest it all quickly. A touching story, i fel...more

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Apr 07, 2011 Richard Gombert rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

I picked up this book to read on my way to the 2011 Jack Williamson Lectureship (35th year).

This is frequently referred to as a Classic of Science Fiction and one of Mr. Williamson's most recommended books.

I found it to be very enjoyable. The plot was good, the story was well written and moved at a good pace. The story was not too long (about 200 pages).

I do think that many newer/younger readers might have difficulty reading it. Mr. Williamson uses the tern "rhodomagnetic" and that has fallen ou...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Djenneba rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The best dystopian science fiction I've ever read. I liked the humanoids better than 1984 and Brave New World which were both awesome. The cold logic that facilitates the withdrawal of humanity from human existence parallels the advancement of an increasingly protective and restrictive regulatory environment.

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Nov 27, 2011 Catherine Riley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a classic SCi Fi read. I really enjoyed the plot, the character development aand the ned of the book. Interesting concept

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Aug 08, 2010 Roxanne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

DR. WILLIAMSON WAS MY ENGLISH PROFESSOR AT ENMU IN 1970... NEAT BOOK, INCREDIBLE PERSON

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Feb 19, 2010 James Hurley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good example and read of early Sci Fi from one of the great masters of the field.

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Apr 11, 2012 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up on a whim at the library. I was intrigued by the idea of reading something by a pioneer of the science fiction genre. I felt like it was worth reading for that reason, but it was probably more of an academic kind of enjoyment than a pure lose-yourself-in-a-book kind. I think I prefer Verne for the good old sci-fi, and for the mid to late 20th century it's hard to find anyone who compares to Asimov and Bradbury, in my mind.

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May 17, 2010 Velvetink rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-fantasy, z-1980-s

I have the 1982 GB edition.

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Sep 26, 2012 Howard added it · review of another edition

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Mar 30, 2012 Bill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I hadn't read anything by Jack Williamson previously and saw this in one of my used book stores. It looked interesting and didn't let me down. A bit of a slow start, but it quickly found its footing and was nicely paced. A story in the Isaac Asimov vein; dealing with humanoids, how they serve/ rule humans and certain of mankind's efforts to fight them. A story with some science as well, which made it even more interesting. Good story.

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Nov 14, 2010 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, easton-press, 1930-1953, metal-men, down-the-food-chain, science-fiction

3.0 stars. Classic science fiction novel by Jack Williamson that explores the same themes and basic set up as his ground-breaking novella "With Folded Hands." While this is a good story, I thought that With Folded Hands was more tightly focused, created a better sense of dread and was the superior story. That said, this is still a good story and worth the read.

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Aug 27, 2009 Mohammed rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of Classic SF

Shelves: science-fiction

This book was so powerful,intelligent,emotionally very strong. For a book written in 1940s, it is really amazing. You felt a lot for the characters, a touching story, a humane story despite all the science in the book. Clay Forrester impressed me.

A chilling story of Machine vs Humans.

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May 05, 2011 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

A surprisingly good book about androids! I don't normally like vintage sci fi, but this book really worked for me.

Read my full review at my book review blog: Em and Emm Expound on Exposition.

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Jun 07, 2007 Bill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sfclassics

For a book written in 1948, it is truly timeless. The science fiction hasn't become dated and the human story of overcoming one's fears applies to all men through the ages. I have read this book several times over the years and I was learn something new from it.

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Mar 13, 2013 Crystal marked it as to-read-scifi · review of another edition

THIS is the Williamson I was supposed to read! Arg! Former professor (really), and I was honored enough to write a yearbook feature the year I graduated.

Hmm, maybe I should make his biography a little more interesting.... hmmm...

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Jun 23, 2010 Jared rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 30, 2012 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

I first read this more than 30 years ago, and think of it often. Time to read it again, maybe.

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May 20, 2013 Kevin Trainor rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

May 20, 2013 Michael is currently reading it · review of another edition

Shelves: super-awesome-scifi-catchup

May 19, 2013 Franco marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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The Humanoids (Humanoids #1)

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