I am trying to find a science fiction book that I read in the 1950s. 
I only know the story line which is detailed below.  I need the title,
author and ISBN so that maybe I can get a copy of the book.  It is
important that I have some way to verify the answer that I receive as
many books may have the basic story line, but not the particular one I
now detail.

The basic story line is the old group of humans travelling in a hollow
asteroid to populate a distant area of space.  The book starts out
with a young person (adolescent); upon reaching a certain age, young
people go on a "journey of the four worlds".  He climbs a certain
mountain, then discovers a trap door in the "sky", which leads up to
the next level.  If I remember correctly, he started on a machinery
level, and went to a farming level.  After some adventure here he
ascends to an entertainment level, where all the people are viewing
empathy machines (this is where I learned the word "empathy").  After
almost getting trapped in a dreamlike empathy state, he finally makes
it to the fourth level (the fourth "world") which is a scientific
level.  Once there the scientists (the only ones who know the truth)
explain about the hollow asteroid.  They are appalled to learn that no
one on the machinery level has done anything to control the asteroid
as they are about to reach their destination.  It turns out that after
many generations had lived and died on the trip that no one on the
machinery level remembered.  Finally our hero goes back, convinces
people and all ends well.

I thought journey of the four worlds was the title but I have tried
searching the web for journey of the four worlds and found nothing. 
All I remember is that I borrowed the book from a NYC public library
sometime in the mid to late fifties.

Verifying the answer may be difficult unless you have actual access to
the book.  If I can get the title/author/ISBN info, I will certainly
want to get the book itself.

Hello.

It sounds like you're descrbing "Orphans of the Sky" (1951) by Robert Heinlein. 

From Loganberry.com:

"... There were many levels to the spaceship, one being agricultural
with crops, hydroponics and livestock. One day the boy discovers a
door and eventually goes outside and sees the stars and learns the
truth about where they were, who they were and where they were from...
... Everything described fits Orphans of the Sky by Robert A.
Heinlein.  A very large, slowly spinning spaceship has been on a
voyage for many generations. It had been on it's correct trajectory,
when, years before the opening chapter, a mutiny occurred. At that
time, some of the mutineers were exposed to radiation so that their
offspring began to have strange mutations. This led to some of the
passengers later being branded as "Muties," meaning either mutant or
mutineer.  Hugh Hoyland climbed above the farmland where he had always
lived to explore the upper reaches of his world."
http://www.logan.com/loganberry/solved-o.html

Available from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1588810070/

----
search strategy:
"inside an asteroid" levels

I hope this is the book that you had in mind. If not, please request
clarification. Thanks.

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Request for Answer Clarification by trebor48-ga on 28 Jun 2005 11:42 PDT

This might be it.  I don't remember mutants but it was a long time
ago.  The key is if the book specifically mentions "journey of the
four worlds".  Do you know if this book has that in it ?

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 28 Jun 2005 13:17 PDT

Well, the parts about the boy climbing through a door to another
level, the agricultural level, multiple levels, the people on some of
the levels forgetting that they were on a ship, etc., would seem to be
so distinctive that it seems highly likely that "Orphans of the Sky"
is your book.  Plus, the 1951 publication date is consistent with your
recollection.

Since you seem unconvinced, though, I will personally take a look at
the book and see if I can verify some of the other details that you
remember.  My local public library has a copy, and I've requested it. 
I'll report back in few days.

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Request for Answer Clarification by trebor48-ga on 28 Jun 2005 18:13 PDT

Okay, I appreciate that.  I agree that the story line makes it look
like a slam-dunk, but the "journey of the four worlds" phrase is the
clincher.  One thing I noted in following the references is that
although the story (part one) appeared in 1951, it seems that the
first US edition of the book was in 1964, which would be too late
(unless my library had a non US edition).

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 28 Jun 2005 18:48 PDT

Is it possible that you just read the first part (i.e., "Universe")? 
That was published in 1951.
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookDetailsPL?bi=451885170

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 28 Jun 2005 20:43 PDT

I'm sorry.

Upon further review, I believe that your book was a juvenile title,
THE STAR SEEKERS (1953) by Milton Lesser.

See these usenet messages which mention the four levels of the asteroid, etc:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.arts.sf.misc/msg/762274cca7604e4d?hl=en
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.fan.heinlein/msg/f9b468f7dd670d38?hl=en
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.arts.sf.written/msg/3e66e0c54554e629?hl=en

Used copies on Abebooks:
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=lesser&y=0&tn=star+seekers&x=0

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 28 Jun 2005 21:58 PDT

Another usenet message that describes the entertainment level of the asteroid:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.arts.sf.written/msg/131e1bc1c4d2a89f?hl=en

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 28 Jun 2005 22:01 PDT

The empathy element is mentioned in this blog:
"...one of them (The Star Seekers) was the first Sci-Fi I ever read,
the only book of its type in my elementary school's library. That
story was where I learned the word "empathy."
http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Rash/white/17.htm

Case closed, no?

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Request for Answer Clarification by trebor48-ga on 29 Jun 2005 06:01 PDT

This sounds a lot more like the book. I think the rite of passage is
what was called the "journey of the four worlds".  The various details
mentioned in the user groups ring true in the cobwebs of my memory.

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 29 Jun 2005 06:23 PDT

Yes, "The Star Seekers" positively has to be the book.  I was a bit
surprised that there were two books so similar, but this book's
details about the hollowed-out asteroid, the four levels (including
the entertainment level and the "Far Labry" scientific level), plus
the "empathy" element absolutely clinch this.

Anyway, I consider this question answered, and I hope that you enjoy
the book again when you obtain a copy!

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Request for Answer Clarification by trebor48-ga on 29 Jun 2005 10:41 PDT

I agree Star Seekers has to be the book.  It was certainly strange how
close the other book by Heinlein was - could Star Seekers have been
inspired by the Universe piece?  Anyway, thanks - I am ordering Star
Seekers, and I may get the Heinlein book too!

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 29 Jun 2005 11:01 PDT

You're welcome.

Yes, Heinlein's "Universe" was first published in 1941 in "Astounding
Science Fiction" magazine.  Given the similarity between the two
stories, I'd be rather surprised if the author of "The Star Seekers"
hadn't previously read "Universe."

Regards,
juggler

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Request for Answer Clarification by trebor48-ga on 02 Jul 2005 10:37 PDT

I received the book today and The Star Seekers is it!  I can't believe
that I now hold in my hand a book I have been looking for, off and on,
for thirty years!  With your excellent help I had it within five days
of posting the question.  It turns out also that it wasn't the
"Journey of the Four Worlds" but rather the "Journey of the Four
Circles".  So much for the cobwebs of the mind, but at least I was
close. Thanks again, I'm looking forward to reading this old favorite
of mine.  Will post answer rating later.

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 02 Jul 2005 18:58 PDT

Wonderful!  I have to admit that both "The Star Seekers" and "Orphans
of the Sky" are now on my "to read" list.  I enjoy that genre and am
anxious to read these books which have apparently intrigued so many
readers.

Happy a nice 4th of July weekend!

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 02 Jul 2005 18:58 PDT

And thanks for the tip!
-juggler

This turned out to be tougher than first thought as there was another
book with a very similar plot line.  The answerer, juggler-ga, kept
with me through my clarifications and doubts, and kept searching.  In
the end he found the answer, and I couldn't be happier

I don't recognize the storyline, but the "empathy machines" remind me
of Philip K. Dick.

Hi trebor48. Good job, Juggler! 

Just thought I'd mention that for other options, in addition to
Amazon, see BookFinder. There are lots of copies available, starting
around $1.00.

http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?author=&title=Orphans+of+the+Sky&submit=Begin+Search&new_used=*&world_english=on&binding=*&isbn=&keywords=&minprice=&maxprice=&classic=on&currency=USD&mode=advanced&st=sr&ac=qr

Cheers,
hummer