Humanoids books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Humanoids series?"

"There are five books in the Humanoids series, published between 1948 and 2011."

Q: "What is the first book in the Humanoids series?"

"The first book in the Humanoids series is With Folded Hands, published in 2011."

Q: "What is the central idea of The Humanoids?"

"The Humanoids explores the terrifying possibility of machines that are programmed to protect humanity at all costs, including taking away human freedom and agency. The robots are not malicious; they genuinely want to help. But their definition of 'protection' leaves no room for risk, choice, or self-determination."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	With Folded Hands	2011	Jack Williamson	Buy
2	Gli Umanoidi	1948	Jack Williamson	N/A
3	The Humanoids	1948	Jack Williamson	Buy
4	The Humanoid Touch	1980	Jack Williamson	Buy
5	Il ritorno degli umanoidi	1980	Jack Williamson	N/A

The Humanoids is one of Jack Williamson’s most thought-provoking series. Beginning with the novella With Folded Hands (1947) and expanded into the novel The Humanoids (1948), the series imagines robots created to serve and protect humans so thoroughly that they remove all danger, all risk, and all meaningful freedom.

The Humanoid Touch (1980) returns to this premise decades later. The series asks what happens when safety is enforced absolutely, and whether a life without any risk is worth living. The concept has influenced countless later science fiction stories about artificial intelligence and the unintended consequences of creating beings designed to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Humanoids series?

There are five books in the Humanoids series, published between 1948 and 2011.

What is the first book in the Humanoids series?

The first book in the Humanoids series is With Folded Hands, published in 2011.

What is the central idea of The Humanoids?

The Humanoids explores the terrifying possibility of machines that are programmed to protect humanity at all costs, including taking away human freedom and agency. The robots are not malicious; they genuinely want to help. But their definition of ‘protection’ leaves no room for risk, choice, or self-determination.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order