Foundation
By Isaac Asimov
- Release Date: 1991-10-01
- Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Description
One of the great masterworks of science fiction, the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building. The story of our future begins with the history of Foundation and its greatest psychohistorian: Hari Seldon.
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. Only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to
a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.
But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. And mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing choice: submit to the barbarians and live as slaves—or take a stand for freedom and risk total destruction.
From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews
Epic Must Read for all Sci Fi fans
5By ExbusterrI reread this after reading it by chance in college back in the 80’s. The story and concept is engaging. You see how it influenced Star Wars and other greats. Also keep in mind this was written circa 1950 and Asimov had to create a universe on his own from scratch. It’s part of one of the greatest epics ever written. This book is a great place to start the thousands of years of Galactic history he created in the Robot, Empire, and Foundation series. If you start here and read the original Foundation books then I would advise going back and reading the Robot novels and short stories then Empire then the Foundation Prelude Novels. Alternatively start with the Robot “Caves of Steel”.Classic
5By siegfried77Just reread it for n th time.. now rereading Foundation and EmpireEpic Science Fiction told in short stories
5By Scrub KaiThis is a classic series for a reason. Really it should be required reading for all Science Fiction fans.Worthy of the hype
5By JenniferJamesGinaThis book is on every top 10 sci fi book list I am aware of...justifiably so. It is epic in scope. Great ending.Brilliant
5By DwardengThis was the first Asimov book I ever read. I was young at the time. As soon as I started reading it I knew I was in for a challenge. I thought, wow he actually wants me to think as I read. I give credit to this book, more than any other to help me become a good reader and to be able to understand complex concepts. Thanks Issac wherever you are. Out in space somewhere I'm sure.Timeless sci-if
5By ExbusterI picked Foundation up on a whim in college at the university bookstore. I had been dabbing in sci-fi since I was little, but this book blew me away. The story's are timeless, woven together, span thousands of years and the plots and endings are unexpected. As other posts have commented, Asimov's entire universe is a must read: Robot, Empire, and Foundation series. I would recommend reading them Foundation series first then Back to Robot and Empires series.Foundation
4By Maxmatt33I discovered the foundation series because as a science fiction fan who has read various sci-fi novels randomly, I decided to "go to school" and read what most consider to be the master works in the sci-fi genre - Asimov. Reading a sci-fi novel which was written over 65 years ago took some getting used to for me. The plot, characters, and concept are all outstanding. The depiction and descriptions of space travel and the concept of a "Galactic Empire" was very well conceived. The only thing that took getting used to were the personal technologies we have today which when reading "Foundation" makes it an obvious dated read. I had to constantly keep reminding myself this was written in 1951 and move on. Other than those small details, the book was fantastic.Weak Plot
1By wetjoshI was really disappointed with this book. I had heard a lot of good things about it but I basically started disliking the story from about chapter 3 or 4. Was this Asimov's first book? Because it is poorly written. The dialogue is not believable (people don't carry on conversations that way). His use of italics seems almost random at times. The whole "foundation" of this novella (psychohistory) makes for a lame story where it doesn't matter what anyone does because the further has already been determined. The main characters are not likable, especially Hardin. I hated him. And worst of all, it blurred the lines of religion and science and asked you to put blind faith in a single scientist. Ugh. I hated it.Update?
1By gonzoidUm, sorry for being dense, but what was updated? I mean really, an app comes with at least some description of what the update was for. I mean if it's just a different cover, skip. But if it's something more substantial, shouldn't people at least know what? Thanks...Classic
5By Genesis5649One of the books that began my love of science fiction and history.
