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Foundation
By Isaac Asimov
Random House Worlds
Description
The first novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series
THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION • Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, 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.
The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.
THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION • Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, 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.
The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.
Summary by AI
Authors' Background
- Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) was a prolific American writer and professor of biochemistry. He is widely considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. Asimov wrote or edited over 500 books, covering a vast range of subjects, including science fiction, popular science, history, and literature.
Main Theme
- The Foundation series explores the rise and fall of galactic empires and the application of psychohistory, a fictional science that uses mathematical laws to predict the future of large populations. The core theme revolves around the efforts of a group of scientists to shorten a predicted dark age and rebuild civilization after the collapse of the Galactic Empire.
Key Points
- Psychohistory: The central concept is psychohistory, developed by Hari Seldon, which allows for the prediction of large-scale societal trends.
- The Galactic Empire: The story begins with the decline of the Galactic Empire, a vast interstellar civilization.
- The Foundation: Hari Seldon establishes two Foundations, one at each end of the galaxy, to preserve knowledge and shorten the interregnum (the period of chaos) following the Empire's fall.
- Crises and Challenges: The Foundation faces numerous crises and challenges, including political intrigue, technological setbacks, and external threats, as it navigates its path to rebuilding civilization.
- The Mule: A powerful mutant with mental abilities emerges, threatening the Foundation's plans and psychohistory's predictions.
- Second Foundation: The existence and location of the Second Foundation, which focuses on mental science, is a key plot point.
Reputation
- Good:
- Considered a cornerstone of science fiction, influencing countless writers and works.
- Praised for its ambitious scope, intellectual depth, and exploration of societal dynamics.
- Introduced groundbreaking concepts like psychohistory.
- Won a Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series in 1966.
- Bad:
- Some critics find the writing style dated.
- The characters are sometimes criticized for being less developed than the plot.
- The pacing can be slow in some sections.
Who Should Read It
- Fans of classic science fiction.
- Readers interested in exploring themes of societal collapse, rebuilding, and the future of humanity.
- Those who enjoy complex plots and intellectual challenges.
- Readers who appreciate stories that span vast time periods and galactic scales.
Similar Books
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov (part of the Robot series, which is connected to Foundation)
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
- A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
Readers
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