Name: Prelude to Foundation
Rating: 4.103658536585366 (82 reviews)

Isaac Asimov

Vincent DiFate

In the year 12,020 G.E., Hari Seldon arrives in the domed city of Trantor and begins to develop his theory of psycho history, which predicts the rise of a power greater than the Empire

Prelude to Foundation

In the year 12,020 G.E., Hari Seldon arrives in the domed city of Trantor and begins to develop his theory of psychohistory, which predicts the rise of a power greater than the Empire. Reissue.

Karpe Diez

Open, accessible, almost naive writing style. At first, the story seems to have too many details. The dialogues, too, seem to go in circles a bit. But it could be an impression after watching too many movies, series and not reading enough books lately. After covering enough chapters, the plot reveals cohesive and full of suspense. This is my first book by Asimov and, if my memory doesn’t fail me, my first sci-fi book. After reading halfway through, I got so captivated by both the story and the plainness of tone that it became an oasis to where to go to in a too busy life, with an endless “to-do” list constantly hovering over my head. There is such a lack of pretense, yet such imaginative fullness in this book that I think I may have found the perfect cure against TV: read more of Asimov (or maybe more sci-fi overall). 

Edwin Lang

As a standalone novel, and for someone not familiar with Isaac Asimov’s work, Prelude to Foundation is a thrilling read. The plot moves the main character, Hari Seldon, through various sectors on Trantor, a planet he initially visited simply to present a paper on his novel idea of using mathematics to predict the future, a field he proposes calling ‘psychohistory’. Unknown to Hari, the topic intrigues those in power. This story takes place some twenty thousand years in the future, and the date in terms of the Galactic Empire of which Trantor is part and capital of is year 12,020. The Empire consists of twenty-five million worlds, and is immensely populated, with forty billion humans on Trantor alone. Prelude to Foundation is not a dystopian novel, in that while conditions vary from world to world – we get insights into only three planets: Helicon, a small ‘provincial’ world from which Hari comes; and Cinna, where his companion, Dors Venabili, is from and who as a historian is paired with Hari to help him on his task to develop psychohistory. While there is poverty for example, and slums, conditions overall are OK. One thing Asimov stresses – this was written in 1988 – is that there is no shortage of food or energy, and while the average people live modestly there does not seem to be hardship. everyone though lives under the jurisdiction of the emperor. The Empire sounds a great deal like the ancient Roman empire that expanded and controlled much of the known world, providing good government and law, relative peace and stability. But like Rome, there is intrigue everywhere, and emperors frequently get assassinated. Cleon therefore hopes to avoid this fate by using Hari’s invention to manipulate the present in such a way that the future unfolds favourably for him and his reign. The plot is a relatively simple one, to develop Hari Seldon’s thinking around psychohistory so as to make it practical. Hari is starting at zero because while he believes in the idea he does not believe it is possible, certainly not in his lifetime, and he does not for a moment think anyone will get anything usable for a very long time. The motivation, backing, basic funding and even protection come from Chetter Hummin, a fellow Hari meets one evening while a couple of thugs attempt to assault Hari, and with whom he becomes a friend. It is Chetter who explains to Hari the significance of his idea and why it has endangered Hari and why he is backing him. What is driving Chetter Hummin’s own pursuit and support of Hari’s idea is that he believes it will save the Empire, which he believes is in a state of decline. Chetter believes that the pace of progress and innovation have strangely evaporated, and that ultimately the Empire may disintegrate, leaving factions ceaselessly fighting one another. So, with his presentation to the Trantor Mathematical Society Hari immediately faces two problems. One is that he becomes pursued by a malicious force in the person of Eto Demerzel, a top mandarin and advisor to Emperor Cleon I’s Court, a master Machiavellian and manipulator, and where Cleon is the face of the empire, Demerzel actually runs it. The second problem is that Hari does not know where to even begin to develop his idea. Chetter arranges to have Hari installed initially at a reasonably prestigious university, Streeling University, where he meets and is paired up with Dors, and from there his adventures to various places in Trantor begins. Asimov has lots of opportunity to showcase all sorts of technological imaginings. People though remain people, with their flaws and prejudices firmly in place. Also in year 12,020 GE (Galactic Empire time), Earth is a myth to many, assuming that anyone has actually heard of it. The story develops as Hari attempts to understand the historical beginning of the Galactic Empire, looking for clues everywhere, which he believes is key to unlocking his ideas and making them practical. It is a very satisfying story, rich in characterization, with all that drama and politics that we humans tend to bring to situations. I wondered why Asimov appears to remain relevant and interesting and perhaps like all good science fiction writers he creates stories that are both engaging and optimistic. Edwin

A solid entry. But I was expecting more of my foray into the pre-Foundation, Empire-era. And especially of meeting Hari Seldon. It’s another page-turner, sure, but I can’t shake the feeling this is Asimov on autopilot.

Frederik De Bosschere

Roberto Guti

The first of two prequel novels in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION It is the year 12,020 G.E. and Emperor Cleon I sits uneasily on the Imperial throne of Trantor. Here in the great multidomed capital of the Galactic Empire, forty billion people have created a civilization of unimaginable technological and cultural complexity. Yet Cleon knows there are those who would see him fall—those whom he would destroy if only he could read the future. Hari Seldon has come to Trantor to deliver his paper on psychohistory, his remarkable theory of prediction. Little does the young Outworld mathematician know that he has already sealed his fate and the fate of humanity. For Hari possesses the prophetic power that makes him the most wanted man in the Empire . . . the man who holds the key to the future—an apocalyptic power to be known forever after as the Foundation.

Matt

I first read the book back in middle school, I honestly didn’t remember much about the story from that time. Seeing that Apple launched the show, and seeing the mixed reviews, I decided instead of watching I will read the entire series. My attempt in middle school only saw through the first, this one, with little memory of the story.

This time rereading it - I have to admit it, it was absolutely captivating. The adventures through different sectors of the worlds, the different cultures, even with ‘short’ visits, the worlds were described in succinct and vibrant ways.

The climax of everything didn’t come until late in the book, but when it hit, it really hit. So much so that it was as good as a cliffhanger perfectly crafted from a top movie series. At that time I had to force myself to put the book down as it was late into the night.

I’m glad to continue on to the next book in the series.

High Fidelity

3.9⭐
Even though opinions are mixed about whether or not this should be read before the foundation trilogy I decided to give it a try. What I got is lots of world-building and great concepts, an abundance of characters with many traits and flaws only some are likable. Tech and systems are really on point, nothing too much. 
I don't know much about the original trilogy but I don't feel like this ruined it for me (we shall see).
It was just one big hectic adventure with old school but lovely writing and a great plot twist.

Fraser Simons

This was interesting, but maybe more interesting if you know Foundation, which I do not. The first half of it dragged substantially, to the point where I almost DNF’d it. Thankfully it got substantially better when stakes actually manifested and cultural aspects at various locals are introduced, and were actually fairly interesting. There are a couple twists that also brought it together. The structure felt so weird to me. It was tedious and then ramped up dramatically. It was welcome but jarring. I’ll continue with the series but does feel like conceit and plot wise, not all that much was actually accomplished for such a lengthy novel?

Shameera Nair Lin

Simply captivating from start to finish, although I've heard that the other books in the Foundation series are superior.

Prelude to Foundation

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