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Foundation and Empire

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About this listen

WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST ALL-TIME SERIES

The Foundation series is Isaac Asimov’s iconic masterpiece. Unfolding against the backdrop of a crumbling Galactic Empire, the story of Hari Seldon’s two Foundations is a lasting testament to an extraordinary imagination, one that shaped science fiction as we know it today.

The First Foundation survived two centuries of barbarism as the once-mighty Galactic Empire descended into chaos. Now it mist prepare for war against the remnants of the Empire as the Imperial fleet advances on their planet, Terminus.

Hari Seldon predicted this war; he even prepared his Foundation for it. But he couldn’t foresee the birth of the mutant Mule. In possession of a power which reduces fearsome opposition to devoted slaves, the Mule poses a terrible threat to Seldon’s Foundation.

©2019 Isaac Asimov (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Fiction First Contact Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Opera Interstellar Star Wars Thought-Provoking Robotics

Critic reviews

‘One of the most staggering achievements in modern SF’
The Times

‘Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age…It will never be known how many practicing scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov’
Carl Sagan

‘Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction’
Daily Telegraph

‘Asimov’s career was one of the most formidable in science fiction’
The Times
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second in the original trilogy of books by Asimov, this book was an improvement on the first (which I enjoyed the immediacy of). It comprises of two novellas linked by the continuing story arc of the Foundation, and the predictions of Hari Selden from the first book. Of the two novellas I found the second more interesting, with the amusing twist at the end and the set-up (I hope) for book three. Asimov's writing is surprisingly fresh and engaging for a book written when my father was but a boy. The underlying themes are interesting yet not overly heavy, and so much sci-fi that was to follow took inspiration from this book I can see why it earned its status.
for the Audio book, the narration was great. definitely one of the better narrators I've listened to.

Classic Sci-Fi epic Surprisingly Enjoyable

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Change of pace from the first but still enjoyable. A fantastic psychological world worth exploring.

Seldan says...

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great continuation to the story, subtle political maneuvers, and a plot thrilling to the very end. can't wait for the next

excellent

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this book is indeed a classic. And you can see its foundational effect on the genre. however all older stories about the future will ultimately date. There are to many cross references with a predicted earth future that is from too far in the past. more difficult to suspend belief if the annoyance of jarring incorrect predictions are distracting from the story. absolutely should be read but I can't love it.

Traditionally Brilliant if a bit dated

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Asimov's grand narrative continues ever onward towards its seemingly inevitable conclusion. The decline and final fall of an Empire that has stood for thousands of years is truly a sight to behold. The living will of the last of the Imperials clashes with the dead hand of Raven Seldon and with the weight and logic of history itself. And somewhere in the shadows, a new variable, unknown and unaccounted for, stirs ominously. The Mule has come, and the Foundation does not seem to have a fighting chance!

Enter the Mule

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