Foundation (Foundation Series #1)

FOUNDATION

This is the first of the three novels in the original "Foundation Trilogy". The trilogy is similar to "I, Robot", in that the novels are created out of shorter fiction that was first published in "Astounding Science Fiction" in the 1940's. It was first published in novel form by Gnome Press in 1951. A trimmed down version was published under the title "The 1,000 Year Plan" by Ace books in the 1950s.

While certainly a classic and important to setup the series, "Foundation" is easily the weakest of the three novels. Consisting of five parts, four of which are taken from the shorter fiction from years before, it covers a large period of time in a relatively short amount of space. In addition, the stories are fairly short, and it is rare for a character to appear in more than one. As a result, there is little in the way of character development in this book. The subsequent novels ("Foundation And Empire" and "Second Foundation") are each comprised of just two works of shorter fiction, and thus do not suffer as much in this area.

The sections of "Foundation" are:

"The Psychohistorians" - This is the story of Gaal Dornick who has come to the capital of the Empire, Trantor to work with Hari Seldon. This story introduces the key concepts of the series; introducing the reader to Psychohistory, the Empire, and the purpose of the Foundation. It is unique among the sections of this book, in that it was written specifically for the novel and was not published previously.

"The Encyclopedists" - In this story, the Foundation becomes separated from the Empire, and is threatened by its neighbors, the Anacreonians. It is in this story that the citizens of the Foundation find out their real purpose, having believed before that they were sent there to create a Galactic Encyclopedia to preserve man's knowledge. This was first published in part as the novelette "Foundation" in "Astounding Science Fiction" in May of 1942.

"The Mayors" - This story is closely tied to "The Encyclopedists", and there are some of the same characters. Once again the Foundation is threatened by the Anacreonians; however, this time the Foundation uses its technological expertise to avert the crisis. This story also introduces the use of `Priests' to spread the influence of the Foundation. This was first published as the novelette "Bride and Saddle" in the June 1942 edition of "Astounding Science Fiction".

"The Traders" - This story is about the use of trade to expand the influence of the Foundation. More specifically, it is about an agent of the Foundation who has been imprisoned on Askone, a planet that prohibits the use of the Foundation's devices. This was first published in the October 1944 edition of "Astounding Science Fiction" as the short story "The Wedge".

"The Merchant Princes" - This is a more complicated and involved story than the others included in this book. A merchant trader, Hober Mallow, goes in search of several missing Foundation ships, discovering evidence of the old Empire. More important though, is the struggle for power within the Foundation which results in the abandonment of religion in favor of economics as the source of expanding the influence of the Foundation. This was first published as the novelette "The Big And The Littl

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Astounding Piece of Science Fiction

Isaac Asimov was decreed one of the original Grand Masters of Science Fiction, and if there was ever a testament to his genius, one need only look to Foundation Series. Hari Seldon, a psychohistorian, is able to predict the actions of a mass quantity of human beings through advanced mathematics, psychology, social science, and rich historical knowledge. Through this tehcnique, he was able to determine when and how the Galactic Empire would begin to crumble within itself, and created two Foundations at the opposite ends of the universe to revive humanity and stiumlate civilzation after it died. While one Foundation worked under the pretext of devising an Encyclopedia Galactica, the other remained shielded beneath a layer of deception that concealed its frightening powers. But admist treason, strife, death, personal failure, and personal triumph, Hari Seldon's Foundation succeded in a way no one could have considered possible. It really makes you proud to be part of this vast body of life we call humanity.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Utopian, Dystopian, and the tales after...

I found this great series, The Foundation Series, by Isaac Asimov. It is especially good if you like science fiction and wit, the problem solving he uses is nothing short of brilliant in the first book. For certain Isaac has forgotten more on social systems and their interaction than I will ever hope to understand, and is inspiring to read. It's truly a rare thing to come across a story in any genre, that you know instantly upon completion that it is one you will remember for the rest of your life. There is never apart in this story that I got bored, merely parts where I had to stop and take in all the complexity and relish all the depth one story can contain. Foundation is a book that belongs on every bookshelf.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sci-Fi at its Best!

I have no idea why I hadn't read this series until now. Isaac's way of progressing the story through so many people is amazing. This one was a great start to the series. Setting the "Foundation" (excuse the pun) for the rest of this 1,000 year story. IF your a fan of anything Sci-Fi you will definitely love this book. :)

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is classic

Some of Asimov's books are better than others but the Foundation series is the classic. Those who say it jumps too much or that it reads like a script are sorely mistaken individuals who do not understand the grandeur of the work. Foundation is not about coherency, it is an interesting story that documents a galactic history. The history and the extend conflict predicted by an individual is what makes the tale. Asimov loved writing his short stories and some people dislike the short story feel that this book has at times. People, this only gives the book a personal feel of history, the story would not be worth reading if it was not written like this. Note: I believe that Asimov wrote this in High School

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

20 years later still incredible

My aunt gave me the first Foundation book twenty years ago. I wasn't sure about it. Science fiction with no space battles it can't be any good. Was i wrong after the first pages i was hooked. Had to have all books in series, then all robot books. Opened up whole new worlds and ways of thinking for me. Thank God my aunt got a teenager to read this first book.

Highly Recommended.

I first read these when I was in my early twenties. I have been a real fan of the classic SF writers, Asimov is one of the beat.

Classic sci-fi

A great science fiction novel that is also a study in human nature. There are no monsters, explosions, or larger than life space battles, but it is a compelling read nonetheless. Amazingly intelligent and thoroughly thought out and planned, it will leave you wanting to read the next installments in The Foundation series.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent

Amazing

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing sci fi story!

This is the first book in an amazing sci fi story, once you start youll be hooked. I only wish there where more!

Asimov

Is the best!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best sci fi of all time!

I absolutely loved this book, it's just so great! He describes the characters anf their behaviors so well, I feel like am really there"

Does it ever end!

Sorry, I really tried. I just couldn' t get into this book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sci-fi at it's best

What is so amazing about Isaac Asimov's Foundation series is the fact that he wrote it in the 1950's. I would have to say that this is the best science fiction series ever. It is just as fresh and far reaching all sci-fi books should be. I have read some of today's best science fiction authors and there is not one who Asimov has not influenced. If anyone is thinking of getting into science fiction, this is the series to start with. I just wish he was still alive to create more amazing stories!

Adult Science Fiction at its best!

Asimov is the godfather of all science fiction. If you want to immerse yourself in an intellecutally challenging series, this is the one (and the related I Robot series).

not loving it

I had heard so much good about this series that I was really looking forward to reading it but I found this book dull. The characters were completely undeveloped and I quit reading half way through. :o( Too bad, because I love true sci fi.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not the Usual SciFi

The story of this book does not follow the usual line of action, alien invasion, or massive political warfare in the cosmos. It sometimes touches on these, but does not focus on them. Instead it is a tale of human development given a set number of variables. (i.e. space travel, advanced sciences, ...etc.) Instead of being dry like one would first assume, it is very interesting and keeps ones attention but does not make one want to read it all in one day. So, the slow serious reader will undoubtedly enjoy this book.

Significant and Compelling Novel

The Foundation Series focuses upon the advent of psychohistorian Hari Seldon's Foundations, which were established at the opposite corners of the galaxy to preserve mankind and protect it from its own destruction. Foundation chronicles important developments in the maintainence of the Foundations, as well as certain issues that every civilization, sooner or later, must confront.

an interesting read

the first of the foundation novels does well to document Asimov's progress as a writer. sure, the plotting is brilliant, but even then, the book is highly disjointed and lacks the brilliant cohesiveness of his other works (pardonable, considering it was initially published as separate short stories). and the character development is nowhere near where it was in, say, Foundation's Edge.--the characters here are exclusively male and are all essentially undeveloped--boring, basically without history, and utterly forgettable. any number of characters could have spouted wings and flown away, and it wouldn't have been entirely surprising.

Way before its time

This book is way before its time in the way that it was written before sputnik and all those time capsules and even before space travel. What a mind Asimov had in 1951 when he wrote this at only 30-31 years-old.