Book Summary and Reviews of Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Foundation

by Isaac Asimov

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  • Published:
  • Apr 2008, 272 pages
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Book Summary

The first novel in Isaac Asimov's classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series.

For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.

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1000 Books side read information, general discussion, FAQ
...more than fine with me. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen 409 pp The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 374 pp This House of Sky by Ivan Doig 314 pp Foundation by Isaac Asimov 244 pp A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan 274 pp
-Lana_Maskus


Did you read any books in 2025 that are widely considered classics? If so, which ones and why?
My reading list was really light on classic reads this year. The only two that might be considered more well-known, as well as "modern," classics were Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry) and Foundation (Isaac Asimov) . My other classic reads were more obscure: Spain in our Hearts . Pablo Neruda The Qu...
-Gabi_J


Which books will you take on vacation?
Kind of a mixed bag of books on the Kindle for the Summer: All We Were Promised - Ashton Lattimore Foundation - Isaac Asimov Spain in Our Hearts - Adam Hochschild The Names - Florence Knapp Spitfires - Becky Aikman These are just for starters. :laughing:
-Gabi_J

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This information about Foundation was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

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Author Information

Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov began his Foundation series at the age of twenty-one, not realizing that it would one day be considered a cornerstone of science fiction. During his legendary career, Asimov penned more than 470 books on subjects ranging from science to Shakespeare to history, though he was most loved for his award-winning science fiction sagas, which include the Robot, Empire, and Foundation series. Named a Grand Master of Science Fiction by the Science Fiction Writers of America, Asimov entertained and educated readers of all ages for close to five decades. He died, at the age of seventy-two, in April 1992.

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