If you loved
It's Been a Good Life
Isaac Asimov · Book · 2002
What hooked you in It's Been a Good Life was the way a massive intellectual legacy becomes deeply human and intimate.
Films on the same thread
Steve Jobs
Danny Boyle · Film · 2015
Like the portrait of Isaac Asimov in It's Been a Good Life, this film peels back the genius of a public icon to reveal the complex, flawed human operating beneath.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Film · 2019
If you appreciated the reflective, philosophical tone of It's Been a Good Life, you will connect with this story of a life evaluated through the lens of a loyal observer.
Simone: Woman of the Century
Olivier Dahan · Film · 2022
This film mirrors the epic yet intimate scope of It's Been a Good Life, tracing the personal evolution of a monumental figure who shaped the history of her era.
The Theory of Everything
James Marsh · Film · 2014
Much like the relationship documented in It's Been a Good Life, this film captures the intersection of a brilliant mind and the personal partnership that sustained them through life.
Series on the same thread
Genius
Kenneth Biller · Series · 2017
This series shares the fascination with intellectual obsession found in It's Been a Good Life, providing a comprehensive look at the personal struggles behind history's most significant creative minds.
My Brilliant Friend
Saverio Costanzo · Series · 2018
The focus on memory and the act of writing one's history echoes the reflective spirit of It's Been a Good Life, grounding a lifelong bond in the weight of personal narrative.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes
Susan Lacy · Series · 2025
This documentary echoes the intimate examination of a creative work ethic seen in It's Been a Good Life, using personal archives to illuminate the man behind the legendary musical output.
Cosmos
Ann Druyan · Series · 2014
If you enjoyed the intellectual curiosity of Isaac Asimov in It's Been a Good Life, this series offers a similar passion for explaining the vast mysteries of our scientific universe.
Podcasts on the same thread
Mobituaries with Mo Rocca
iHeartPodcasts and CBS News · Podcast · 2024
This podcast shares the reverence for legacy found in It's Been a Good Life, offering a thoughtful, humanizing look at the lives of figures who left an indelible mark on history.
Making Sense with Sam Harris
Sam Harris · Podcast · 2026
For readers who valued the rationalist, inquiring mind showcased in It's Been a Good Life, this program provides a rigorous exploration of the same ethical and intellectual depth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is It's Been a Good Life a biography written by Isaac Asimov?
No, It's Been a Good Life is not a traditional autobiography written by Isaac Asimov. It is a collection of his personal thoughts and letters compiled and edited by his wife, Janet Jeppson Asimov, ten years after his death to provide an intimate portrait of his life.
How was the content for It's Been a Good Life gathered?
Janet Jeppson Asimov created It's Been a Good Life by carefully mining the depths of her husband's most personal thoughts and combining them with revealing excerpts from his private letters. This process resulted in a portrait that highlights his tireless passion for his work.
When was It's Been a Good Life published in relation to Isaac Asimov's death?
It's Been a Good Life was published in 2002. This release occurred ten years after the death of Isaac Asimov, allowing his wife, Janet Jeppson Asimov, the necessary time to curate his personal writings and letters into the final book.
Does It's Been a Good Life focus on Isaac Asimov's career?
Yes, It's Been a Good Life focuses significantly on his career. The book documents his life and work, specifically showcasing his tireless passion for writing, which is described as being evident on every page of this intimate collection of his thoughts and letters.