Foundation - Isaac Asimov

Its not really necessary for me to write how this is one of the most seminal and influential works of Science Fiction of the twentieth century, so I'll skip to what's important about this, the first volume of this staggeringly immense achievement. Judged in the context of the entire series, Foundation is something of a scene setter. Most people prefer the sequel Foundation and Empire for its excitement and, in my opinion greater intellectual approach to narrative. However, the impact of the latter work would certainly not be felt if it weren't for the thoroughness of the scene setting presented in this one. Basically Foundation is a series of ...  Read the complete review

A friend of mine can read at incredible speeds. It’s amazing – he pointed out to me just recently that he had read three books during the week in which he had been on holiday, which I reckon is roughly as many as I read in the whole of 2004. I confess I’m not the fastest reader (not through lack of trying) – if I try to speed up even slightly I find myself quickly losing the thread. Still, given that my friend has read so very many 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 ...  Read the complete 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 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 ...  Read the complete review

Science fiction doesn't get much of a look in on wampy's bookshelf, in fact Isaac Asimov's Foundation series is the set of sci-fi books there AND they have been there around 10 years and never touched...until last week. Y'see Christmas was fun, but there comes a time when you have enough of being sociable and just feel like receding quiety to some secluded corner away from all the family members who invited themselves around...and for some reason I picked up this instead of the latest James Patterson book which has been sitting there for far too long as well! Was it worth it? I should say so! I know these are widely regarded as a classic and ...  Read the complete review

Two Foundations were established at opposite ends of the known galaxy. The First Foundation, on the planet Terminus, laboured to produce the Encyclopedia Galactica - preserving all known scientific knowledge for future generations - while remaining in virtual seclusion. Their founder, Hari Seldon, was a brilliant mathematician and psychohistorian. He believed that, through their ignorance, the First Foundation* would be able to salvage the remains of the decaying Empire and forge a new, better, second empire. This novel, "Foundation," tells the story of how the First Foundation* was established and its initial challenges and crisises. (*Referred to, in this ...  Read the complete review