... His Foundation series is also seen as one his most important contributions to the genre and it is the first book, Foundation, that I will detail further now that we have the background of the author under wraps.
~~~~The Book~~~~
Foundation is the first book of a trilogy that was later ... Read review
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but forgotten by humans who live throughout the galaxy. Yet all is not well with the Galactic Empire. Its vast size is crippling to it. In particular, the admin...
but forgotten by humans who live throughout the galaxy. Yet all is not well with the Galactic Empire. Its vast size is crippling to it. In particular, the admin...
Foundation
The first volume of Asimov's saga which won the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Novel ... more
Series. The ostensible task of Foundation a group of savants established by Seldon on the remote planet Terminus is to compile the "Encyclopedia Galactica" a complet...
Foundation - Isaac Asimov
The first volume of Asimov's saga, which won the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Novel ... more
Series. The ostensible task of Foundation, a group of savants established by Seldon on the remote planet Terminus, is to compile the Encyclopedia Galactica...
FOUNDATION - Isaac Asimov
Foundationmarks the first of a series of tales set so far in the future that Earth is all ... more
but forgotten by humans who live throughout the galaxy. Yet all is not well with the Galactic Empire. Its vast size is crippling to it. In particular, the admin...
Foundation - Isaac Asimov
Foundationmarks the first of a series of tales set so far in the future that Earth is all ... more
but forgotten by humans who live throughout the galaxy. Yet all is not well with the Galactic Empire. Its vast size is crippling to it. In particular, the admin...
Foundation - Isaac Asimov
Foundationmarks the first of a series of tales set so far in the future that Earth is all ... more
but forgotten by humans who live throughout the galaxy. Yet all is not well with the Galactic Empire. Its vast size is crippling to it. In particular, the admin...
Interregnum planned by Hari Seldon. The Second Foundation has once more successfully concealed its existence so that the laws of psychohistory can operate to...
A review by Shroud on Foundation - Isaac Asimov April 20th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Would you read it again?
Absolutely
Story
Outstanding
Characters
Outstanding
Readability
Excellent
How does it compare to other works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
beautifully written and engaging story, well rounded characters, thought provoking storyline
Disadvantages:
none
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
~~~~~A bit of background~~~~~
This book is undoubtedly one of the masterworks of science fiction, but before I can even begin to explain why to you, first I feel I should give a brief introduction to the author in order to offer some insight. Isaac Asimov is possibly passing familiar to many, either through his literary works, or from the taglines on such recent film adaptations of his works such as "I, Robot"., but I doubt many know the man behind the name. I think this is important, as it gives a bit more respect and understanding of the books as it gives a peek into the author's possible thoughts and motivation behind the writing of these pieces of fiction.
Isaac Asimov was a Russian born American citizen. He was an accomplished professor of biochemistry as well as a prolific writer and editor. It is estimated that he has written or edited in excess of an astounding 500 books. Not all were fiction; the books' topics cover the entire range of the Dewey Library system's categories except philosophy. In addition, he wrote numerous articles and was a prolific letter writer. Along with Heinlein and Clarke, he is widely recognised as one of the three most important science fiction writers of his lifetime. His work in science fiction has been so iconic that it has inspired real life roboticists for the past several decades, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. This is mainly because of his famous Robot novels and short stories, of which "I, Robot. and "The Bicentennial Man" are part of. It was in these that he introduced the three laws of robotics and which today AI designers and programmers are working to adapt into reality. In addition, his portrayal of robots and machines that have become self aware and having the analogue of feelings, yet being treated as inferior and disposable mere machinery opened up discussions in the real life scientific and political world circles on the rights of artificially intelligent beings. His Foundation series is also seen as one his most important contributions to the genre and it is the first book, Foundation, that I will detail further now that we have the background of the author under wraps.
~~~~The Book~~~~
Foundation is the first book of a trilogy that was later further expanded. It began life as a series of four short stories for Astounding Magazine which were printed between 1942 and 1944. In 1951, Gnome Press printed them together in book form, after Asimov wrote a fifth story to add.
The book is set on the planet of Trantor, which is at the heart of a 12,000 year old Galactic Empire. Unlike many science fiction tales, the story does not centre on an emperor, or a hero set to overthrow the unjust ruler, or even a ship's captain out to smuggle goods from under Imperial noses. Instead, this book focusses on two mathematicians, Hari Seldon and his young protégé Gaal Domick. Hari has developed a new field of science and it causing quite a stir. A blend of mathematics and history, the science of psychohistory extrapolates future events by past historical trends. Having surveyed the current and past events of the Empire, he reveals that the empire is not as stable as it appears, but is crumbling. In 300 years time, it will have fallen and 30,000 years of anarchy will follow. Poor Hari and Gaal are arrested and charged with being dangerous and possibly treasonous. Upon a closer look, the government is satisfied that Hari and his protégé are not plotting to destroy the government, but that they are working towards a solution to help their society through the dark times ahead and allow their Galactic culture to survive.
His grand plan involves training more psychohistorians, and setting up the Encyclopaedia Galactica, which they will maintain. It will be the repository of all human knowledge, and b the beacon to bring humanity back from the chaos in order to establish a second Empire. The government decide that this repository should be located offworld at a distance, ostensibly to protect it, and they select the planet Terminus. What they are blissfully unaware of is that they have been manoeuvred into this by the psychohistorians already on trantor, and that the Foundation they have formed to administer and oversee the Encyclopaedia, is also in reality the very rebellion they have acquitted Hari of. Hari and the others see the decay and rot within the halls of government, replete with foul corruption, and wish to carry out their work without its influence tainting their efforts. So off they all go to Terminus, and officially begin the great work of the Foundation, and begin to collect and collate all the knowledge of mankind for the Encyclopaedia.
The book then jumps ahead 50 years, when a point in society comes to be recognised as one of the "Seldon Crises". These are the predicted turning points of history, and the outcomes determine how soon a unifying government can come back into play and bring peace to the galaxy. One way and chaos reigns 30,000 years, the other and the Galaxy is whole again in less than 300. Blissfully unaware, the psychohistorians are hard at work, collecting their data and preserving it, under the watchful eye of the board of Trustees as provided for in their Imperial Charter. Four nearby galactic provinces have rebelled, and they covet Terminus for its strategic value. The Board of Trustees pooh pooh at the danger, and continue their scholarly endeavour, while Salvor Hardin, the mayor of Terminus city, gets extremely worried at the danger he sees unfolding before his eyes. He is mostly a figurehead, as the trustees hold the galactic Charter, so is powerless to act. This is especially frustrating, as he sees the way out of the situation, but can do nothing. that is, until the Foundation opens a time locked vault at the Seldon Museum, and a holographic Hari reveals the true purpose of the Foundation, mentions his Seldon Crises prediction, and how it must play out. The Trustees cave in, realising their power was but an illusion, and Hardin is free to act. he is successful, and so the galaxy is nudged one step towards future stability, when the research work of the psychohistorians will truly be needed.
The rest of the book centres on the various "Seldon Crises" and also on the various groups that must work towards completing the great plan. The mayors from Hardin forward who help launch a religion based on technology, in order to keep science alive in the increasingly more barbaric areas, the merchant class of Terminus who attempt to establish trade relations, and the merchant princes who use their influence to align worlds with the Foundation. Indeed, the Foundation IS to become the stabilising force of the galaxy.
~~My thoughts~~~ I have to admit this book became very influential to me during my teens and early adult hood. after first encountering this book at my aunt's farmhouse one fall when I was 15. It helped me develop some of my personal views on the importance of knowledge, as well as to gain a unique insight into the motivations behind political manoeuvrings. While these were originally written during the W.W.II era, the points this book makes and its thought provoking undercurrents are all too relevant today. This is where I came to appreciate the skill of a great science fiction writer. Not only did he take a leap of faith based on possible future scientific and scholarly endeavour, but he used it to illustrate things about 20th century civilisation that would continue to be relevant perhaps far into the 21st century.
As we stand in seemingly ever increasing anarchy, and the rumours and exposures of corrupt officials, biased news, and other current events, we can it back with this book and take comfort in hari seldon and his psychohistory. This ground braking work inspires the reader to look at the historical trends, and use them to effect a better outcome by looking ahead for the brushfires, and effecting a firebreak. It speaks on a personal level about the value of knowledge, as a definable treasure and an underpinning for civilisation, echoing all the way back to the long lost halls of the Library of Alexandria.
It is a compelling read, and one that is very hard to put down, which, once finished, has you wanting the next in the series, just to see how they get on. And while it is about politics, and encyclopaedias, it is not a dry read. the characters are well defined, and the intrigue they indulge in as well as the barbarians they later face all add to the excitement of the story. Death sentences, treason, space flight; all the great things one hopes for in a great sci fi romp are all there. It s the unusual spin and depth of the story that make this great and only a Grand Master such as Asimov could have pulled this off. A definite must read, and one that will undoubtedly be read again.
Advantages: Complex and clever yet not too long, ambitious ideas and very well-written, some excellent characters Disadvantages: Pretty much devoid of action, some very long conversations that require maximum attention
...books, his claim that the Foundation series (that he was just finishing at the time) was 'absolutely brilliant' was not to be ignored. I decided to give the series a try on his recommendation - couldn't do any harm after all and it would make a change from all those thrillers I've been reading of late…
So this is the first instalment in the main Foundation trilogy, which was in later years followed up by three more related titles, and was first ... ...its film-adaptation in 2004.
Foundation is a quite excellent science-fiction novel that, rather than choosing to follow a single central character, tracks many different figures who are used as tools to help reveal Asimov's grand vision. Set in the distant future, the story begins with Hari Seldon, a man who has predicted through a science known as 'psychohistory' (calculations using a gigantic quantity of human-based equations) that the all-powerful, ...
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Advantages: Gripping plot, start of a legendary sci-fi epic... Disadvantages: ... episodic, little characterisation
Foundation is a landmark in science fiction history by one of the all-time giants of the genre, Isaac Asimov. Though this novel in itself is perhaps not an all-time great, the series the it is the beginning of most certainly is. Overview --------------
The Galactic Empire is falling, but no-one can see it apart from one man. This man, Hari Seldon, has developed the science of "Psychohistory" - the art of predicting future events be analysing mob ... ...The story follows the first Foundation during the course of its first two centuries and the first 3 "Seldon Crises". (I won't go into detail about these, or indeed what a "Seldon Crisis" is, as it might spoil things for you.) The first two great leaders of the Foundation and how they became such are detailed here, and how the "Seldon Plan" manages to carry on despite all problems and seeming setbacks. Writing Style ------------------
I was a huge ...
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Story
Characters
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How does it compare to ...
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22.11.2005
Foundation Review ofFoundation - Isaac Asimovby
hero164
Advantages: Facinating Concepts, Well Detailed Universe Disadvantages: You may not own the other volumes to see what happens
...the first of Issac Asimov's Foundation series, comprising Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation and Earth and the Prequels, Prelude to Foundation and Forward the Foundation.
Although this book stands alone, reading Prelude to Foundation (written 30 years later) first will enhance your enjoyment of the book as it fleshes out much of the rich backstory.
Basic Plot:
The book begins with the trial of a man named Hari Seldon ... ...1000 years by establishing a Foundation at the edge of the galaxy to preserve the sum of all human knowledge through the creation of a Galactic Encyclopedia.
The book, and its subsequent sequals deal with the trials and tribulations of this foundation, its establishment on a world without metals; its interaction with its aggressive neighbours in the declining empire; its estabilshment of a flegling political system. Although Seldon does not accompany ...
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Advantages: A great read if you love sci-fi Disadvantages: Too small a read
...would categorically state that the foundation series is by far the best of the batch.
This book is the first in a series of ten books which catalogue the history of the galaxy starting with the foundations hero Hari Seldon who invents a new type of science called ''Psychohistory'' which using the law of mass action, can predict the future.
Using psychohistory Seldon soon discovers that the current empire under the emporor Cleon will collapse, resulting ... ...control.
I began reading foundation after finding it in my fathers book cupboard nearly forty years ago and its still as fresh as then.
Such was the impact of this book and indeed the series on my life I found the passing of Asimov in 1992 rather distressing!! If you like sci-fi Asimov is a master of this genre, awesome, a true leader in the ''Golden age of science fiction.'' ...
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Advantages: A truly mind blowing and humbling experience Disadvantages: It ends.
Previous to this book I had never encountered Isaac Asimov before, I had heard that he was a giant in the SF genre and as such my expectations were very high. High expectations lead to highly critical evaluations and so it is clear that something is very special if it can meet those high expectations, even exceed them. This book is one of those very special things.
A special mention should go to the artwork on the front of my edition, it is simply ... ...place and gave me incentive to buy it. I have to say that the first few chapters didn't seem to live up to the hype. To begin with the periods discussed in the story are separated over vast periods of time. Just as you feel that you are becoming familiar with a character or group, really getting a feel for them, the story jumps another hundred years into the future. It leaves the reader feeling no real connection with the story, however as the overall ...
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...Prelude To Foundation.
Author - IsaacAsimov.,
Synopsis -
This book was written in 1988 and was the last Foundation book yet to be written. As with Star Wars not all 6 Foundation novels where written chronologically. It, as the name suggests, should be considered the 1st Foundation book.
At 460 pages long, here are just a few pointers to the virgin foundation reader.
The book wastes no time in introducing the reader to Hari Seldon, the mathematical genius of physcohistory. Which is the prediction of future events by mathematically understanding MASS human behavior.
Hari travels to Trantor to give a lecture but ends up meeting the Emperor Cleon 1 and his dangerous advisor Eto Demerzel.
The Emperor is skeptical but decides to keep hari under survalence. Hari visits a local park where he is almost mugged but rescued by...
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...Forward the Foundation - IsaacAsimov
A few facts before this review starts,
This is the Seventh and final book in the foundation series. Understandable really as IsaacAsimov died just 2 weeks after completing the book in April 1992.
It is widely accepted that Asimov regarded Hari Seldon as his alter ego and in this book Hari..... Well you'll have to read it.
The book follows the decline of the Empire and the coming to fruition of Hari Seldons great plans and works. Mixed in are flash back to Haris’ earlier days, which are used to fill in many missing parts of Haris’ earlier life and some of the crisis moments of the Seldon plan.
You are shown the clash between Hari and Cleon II, Emperor of the known Universe. But more importantly the manoeuvres between Hari and Cleons adviser, Eto Demerzel...
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Advantages: Its one of the greatest science fiction book ever written Disadvantages: None
...Foundation and Empire is my favourite of Asimovsfoundation series, it continues on from Foundation and at the start of the novel Terminus has established itself as the central light in its particular area of the universe. Terminus is a stable government with an edge over its near competitors due in part to a lack of resources on the planet which forces innovation and technological advance. Foundation has been watching the slow decline of the galactic empire, including a humouress chapter involving the visit of the empires lead historian who has arrived at Foundation in his bid to find the original home planet of man. The historian has travelled for the first time and has learnt everything from a book, this is used as a show of decline of the empire and an example of stagnation and laziness.
Eventually the empire starts to notice...
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09.03.2009
