Prelude to Foundation

Written by Isaac Asimov

Narrated by Scott Brick

The first of two prequel novels in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9780307970602

Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov was a Russian‑born American writer and the author of nearly five hundred books. He is credited as one of the finest writers of science fiction in the twentieth century. Many, however, believe Asimov’s greatest talent was for, as he called it, “translating” science, making it understandable and interesting for the average reader.

Reviews for Prelude to Foundation

[Jonathantechphysics · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was curious about Isaac Asimov's books, as he is often cited in various places, including on social media. Having the opportunity to read this book, which is the first of Isaac Asimov's novels, I was enchanted and amazed by its plot, narration, and unexpected twists (although somewhat expected). A very good science fiction book that has remained a great recommendation in the science fiction category over the years. (Translated from Spanish)

[daniel_m_oz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 9th in what can be seen as the "extended" 15 book Foundation Series. Also, the 1st of 2 prequels written after the success of the Foundation Trilogy. In this book we are introduced to the key character of Hair Seldon - the father of of Psychohistory. The strong Empire of the Galactic Empire trilogy has its decline exposed as part of the novel's narrative.

[endolith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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[purpledog-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read the original 3 books in the Foundation series years ago. However, I never got around to reading the later prequels. So much time has past since then, and I found it is like starting from scratch. I had also forgotten how good Asimov is at world building.

Even though this book was originally published in 1989, the ideas regarding governments, social and economic problems are still relevant today. Maybe even more relevant today given the lines of division currently in our society. Add this to the great characters and I found the book entertaining and enjoyable.

[john257hopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was Asimov's retrospective account of the early years of Hari Seldon as he groped towards founding his science of psychohistory, with which he later guided the work of the Foundations that he caused to be set up in the original Foundation trilogy in order to bring order to the chaos of the declining and disintegrating Galactic Empire. This is a story of Seldon's flight through various sectors of the imperial capital planet Trantor from the mysterious hostile forces pursuing him to gain the secrets of psychohistory that they believe he holds. There are some great characters in here and a good narrative drive. This was Asimov at the height of his SF writing powers during their second wind in the 1980s.

[tungsten_peerts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whew, what to make of this? I'm beginning to think I prefer Asimov's non-fiction. His fiction was ever a bit (or more than a bit) clunky, talky and static ... to be honest, the exalted status of the Foundation Trilogy in sf-dom always puzzled me a little, since -- while I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong -- I far preferred other series, even as a youngun ... James Blish's Cities in Flight, for example.

While I was reading this novel, a poor pun kept occurring to me: that Asimov's writing here didn't so much engender a "sense of wonder" (itself a much-maligned term) as a "sense of blunder" -- a kind of "oh, god, Isaac ... *really*?" This echoed with particular volume during the Mycogenian sequence ... where Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili encounter a Trantorian subculture where -- da da DUMMM -- hair is considered obscene. Golly. The future isn't so much unimaginable as just plain stupid.

It's kind of a commonplace to say that Asimov's writing improved as he aged, but in a way I disagree. I came away from this feeling like the freshness and ... eagerness? ... of the early work has been lost, and what's left is just slightly embarrassing. I remember that many years ago TV legend Norman Lear attempted a comeback with a new series (I can't remember the name) and, while on the surface he was doing the very same things that made his earlier work groundbreaking, funny and trenchant, the formula just didn't work any more and it failed with a clunk. There's a similar feeling here, for me at least.

(And It's somewhat creepier to take note of Asimov's leer-y attitude toward the female body here, since his status as sf-dom's "Man with a Hundred Hands" reputation has become more widely known. That made me sad)

Still, I kept reading. Why? I'm not sure. Uncle Isaac is so genial. I had fun. And the ending was a neat surprise, I thought.

[troymcc-76795 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read it when I was a teenager but I re-read it when the new Foundation series came out on Apple TV+. It's quite suspenseful, and there were many laugh-out-loud moments. I'd forgotten how funny Asimov could be. There were surprises at the end, and I'd forgotten some of them, so it was fun to be surprised all over again.

[danyautor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The beginning of a trilogy that has recently been adapted to the small screen, Prelude to Foundation aims to convince us of the power of the “Seldon Crises.” In short, it addresses the theme of mass influence or control over time. At least in this first part of the trilogy, it introduces religion as a tool of manipulation. With this, we get an idea of how dense this work could become, which, personally, functions perfectly as an introduction to the trilogy. The narrative jumps around, composed of small "stories" that surround the work. It is also worth noting that this work was published in the early 50s, so it is expected that the style and details that Isaac Asimov polishes with greater attention are different from those of a contemporary writer. (Translated from Spanish)

[Breogan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The weakest of the series. (Translated from Spanish)

[Maimo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once the Empire saga is finished, we return to the Asimov that we all love. An intelligent, fast, and thrilling work. A captivating piece that doesn't let you stop reading. (Translated from Spanish)

[Cronicadelibros · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Asimov manages with this work to link his Robot series and the Foundation series, separated by 20,000 years, with the great skill of having the represented society unaware of its past history, making it entirely believable to the reader who does know the events from the Robot series. Asimov once again showcases the great insight he had in these series to develop societies from earlier points in time and do so in a completely realistic manner. (Translated from Spanish)

[kaulsu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I cannot believe I never read this, yet evidently I, at least, never finished it. It ties more firmly the robot series to the Foundation, but it was not Asimov at his best. My guess is that I got bored at an early point and set it aside.

There are many "spoiler" events I could mention, but won't. However I will say there is a new character--Raytch--who I fell in love with! This is to say it has some redeeming qualities!

[Javimartinez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I want to say that this novel is something I never dared to read since it deals with the world of robots, and in the end, I managed to do it. It's a book that has captivated me from the very first moment. I took a while because I was reading other books, but in the end, I finished it. I still have six more to go since it's a heptalogy. I loved it so much; I hope the next ones enchant me as much as this one. My final rating is 4/5. I recommend you read it and enjoy every paragraph, especially if you are fans of robots, etc. This is your book saga. (Translated from Spanish)

[hskey-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've completely surrendered myself to this series. It's absolutely perfect for me, and I'm so happy to have read it a little bit later in life. As I get older, I start to think of future generations, humanity in general and, hopefully, try be a little less selfish.

As far as sci-fi adventuring goes, this is top notch. Asimov's writing got better as he got older, and even though there's little to no action, Hari Seldon and Dors visiting the various regions of Trantor and experiencing new cultures and dangers was fascinating. I can't believe the series is nearly over (I'm undecided if I will read the non-Asimov Foundation books), it will easily be right up there with my favorites when I'm done. Incredible callbacks to previous (future) books, the focus on a small cast, but a large scope feel just added another layer of enjoyment.

Hell, I love how the characters THINK. All the time. And they express their thoughts, often, and will discuss and debate with each other. Sometimes they'll change their minds when presented with a logical conclusion, othertimes they'll remain steadfast. It's that unpredictability, combined with a rational perspective, which endeared me to savor every page.

I may have a new favorite author. I'm not saying this book, or the Robots/Empire/Foundation series, is for everybody; it's got quite a few flaws, and I'm sure somebody will be happy to explain why it's not "good literature", but I couldn't care less. Love this series, loved this book.

[Alejoker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I expected much more, because I understand it is the most outstanding of the Foundation saga, I liked it. However, not enough to continue with the extensive saga, for now. (Translated from Spanish)

[Augusto1974 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can't be objective with Asimov, but this book is one of the best. (Translated from Spanish)

[dh1writer · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although this book was written later, chronologically it is the first book in the Foundation series. It Introduces Hari Seldon and the concept of psychohistory. There are many dangerous episodes as Hari moves from sector to sector. But, more than anything, the book is an introduction to the rest of the series.
I had trouble wading through some parts of the book, but it was necessary to be prepared for coming books. I did not find the ending the surprise I think it was supposed to be.
I'm glad I read it, but I'm hoping the next book picks up the pace.

[thanbini · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first I was unsure how this would work out. This is a prequel to his first 'Foundation' book written over 25 years prior and before he decided to tie most of his book series together. Wow, I was mistaken to be doubtful. This book was amazing. In 'Foundation' we get only a glimpse of Trantor in its prime, whereas the entirety of this book takes place there and we get to see quite a bit more of Trantor.

I do feel like the Trantor in this book was portrayed only slightly differently, in the domed over aspect. By the original book I expected Trantor to be more of a Coruscant type world with massive buildings everywhere. In this book almost all of the cities on Trantor have massive domes and it seems like from space you'd see a dark, seemingly uninhabited world - for the most part. A really minor point though.

I'm not sure what order I'd recommend reading the books in. I read the original 5 books first, then this one. There's a number of references in this book that, having already read 'Foundation and Earth', I was quite giddy about.

To sum it all up though: I really enjoyed this book.

[scottcholstad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the prequel to the infamous Asimov Foundation series, actually the sixth book written decades after the original trilogy was written. If you’re read any of my reviews of the original trilogy, you’ll remember that I wasn’t impressed. I couldn’t even finish the second one, it was so bad. The writing was horrible, the character development nonexistent, the plot development no better, the dialogue laughable. However, when I read the fourth Foundation book published around 1982, I was much impressed. He had come a long way, although his writing could still use some improvement. At least he had learned how to use transitions. His next book, the final book in the series, irritated me with its characters’ constant nonstop sniping and bitching at each other, so I didn’t finish it and gave it a poor review, although for all I know it could have turned out to be a decent book. I just hated the characters too much to finish it. So it was with some trepidation that I started reading this one.

Prelude to Foundation, the first prequel but actual sixth book in the series to be published, was published in 1988, late in Asimov’s career. His writing, again, was much improved over his earlier work, but it still could have been better. Nonetheless, I was very taken with this book. I thought it had a much better plot than I expected it to, a lot of action, more than expected, a shocking amount of sexuality, which is very un-Asimov-like, a direct tie-in with his robot series, which I enjoyed, and a marvelous finish to a rather tension filled ending. Frankly, I had a hard time putting it down.

The book follows the early career of the young mathematician, Hari Seldon, elder hero of the original Foundation trilogy and creator of the science of psychohistory, which can very nearly foretell the history of society and culture. In this book, he is always on the Galactic Empire’s capital planet/city of Trantor, home to 40 billion people and 800 domed sectors, where he gives a paper at a mathematics conference which garners a lot of attention and from which he is the next day brought to the emperor’s own quarters, and asked to use his psychohistory to help determine the fate of the empire. He tries to explain that it’s theoretical, not practical, that it would take decades, a lifetime, maybe longer, to mathematically prove what he has theoretically proved. He is thrown out in disgrace, later attacked by thugs, defends himself with a new friend named Chetter Hummin, who claims to be a journalist, and who tells him the Empire and the man behind the emperor, Eto Demerzel, is after him. He must flee.

Hummin takes him halfway across the planet, charging Hari with furthering the research and discovery of psychohistory because the empire is crumbling and decaying, and gets him a job as a professor at a university, where he meets a history professor named Dors Vernabili. Hummin tasks Dors with being Hari’s personal protector and she takes it seriously. But one unforeseen accident occurs with Hari coming close to dying, and Hummin arrives and takes them across the planet once again to a backwards sector which is really, really strange. There, hair is forbidden. They’re forced to wear skin caps and even cover their eyebrows, wear robes identifying them by gender, and no woman can talk to a man unspoken to. It’s a very patriarchal society. However, Hari discovers they maintain an ancient history of some sort, dating back over 20,000 years to the original planet of man’s founding. Determined to get the details of this, he continues his quest. At great peril. They discover the first world was probably called Aurora (from the robot series) and featured a lot of humanoid machines called robots, which no one had ever heard of. They begin to suspect the main temple has one somewhere and Hari vows to break in and interview it to learn about mankind’s history to help formulate his psychohistory. Well, they break in, find a broken down metallic robot that doesn’t look humanoid, are caught and are sentenced to death. Just at that moment, Hummin appears and talks their way out of it and takes them to another sector, another poor sector, where he rents them a room with a typical family, leaving them to just survive. Not knowing what to do, they travel around, hear rumors that an old fortune teller in a really bad part of town tells tales of an original planet and vow to go see her. But there are knife fights there, so Dors buys two and they go. They meet a dirty street urchin who takes them to this old woman, who tells them about a place called Earth and about a robot called Day-ee and a man called Bay-ee (both references to the robot series), and they don’t learn much more, so they leave. And are attacked by 10 armed men. Dors takes the leader on with her knives and seriously wounds him while Hari uses martial arts techniques to knock a couple of them around. They escape, but the wife of their rented room is ticked at them and barely lets them back in. The next day, there’s a near riot outside of the house while they go back into the bad area to meet with a local leader. While there, a soldier appears and wants to take them with him. They assume it’s Hummin’s doing, so they go willingly, but it soon appears they are going to the dreaded sector of Wye, where the mayor has been trying to take over the empire for some time now and where they have a major army and where Hummin has been telling them to avoid like crazy. And there they are! They meet, not the ancient mayor, but his younger daughter, who has taken over mayoral duties and who, naturally, wants to use Hari and his psychohistory for her own personal gains. They hope Hummin will come once again to rescue them, but he doesn’t. One morning, however, they are awoken to gunfire and find Wye has been invaded by Imperial troops and that the original mayor has ceded control over to the Emperor. They expect to see Hummin magically show up, but to their surprise, Demerzel appears. And all is explained. And is it a HELL of an ending!!! What a freaking great ending! I actually found it touching, I kid you not. I did not expect that. I expected Imperial involvement, but not that. And Dors. There were hints, but it was never fully explained. We were just left to speculate and perhaps that’s for the best.

One complaint though. The dialogue in this book, as in virtually every Asimov book, is atrocious! Simply horrible. Dors talks about her “gown.” A man they’re staying with unexpectedly just happens to have pairs of “underpants and foot socks” for each of them. The dialogue is overly formal and stilted, wooden and academic. Far too 1940s US and certainly not believable for 20,000 years in the future. Hell, no one talks like that now! It’s ridiculous! Hell, all I can figure is it’s the dialogue of Ivy League PhD ubergeek scientists who don’t know how to converse or interrelate in any way and this is how he has his characters talk, even when they’re talking about sex or something casual like that. It’s silly. I read some passages to my non-sci fi reading wife and she laughed her ass off. Said it was horrible. And it is. It’s an embarrassment. He may have had the reputation, he may have been a good idea man, he may have been able to construct future worlds, but he couldn’t spin a decent conversation to save his life. He had no idea how to do so. It’s rather sad. I would have hated talking to him. I suppose it would have been a fairly silent conversation. Again, in this book, people say things like, “Mistress Vernabili”
and Master Seldon,” in everyday conversation. Crap like that. Isn’t that just a little over the top formal? Oh well. It’s a darn good book. It’s a five star book that I’m knocking down to four stars because the dialogue is so incredibly bad. I desperately want to give it five stars, especially after such an outstanding ending, but I just can’t justify that. The grammatical and literary technical difficulties are too great to ignore. Nonetheless, strongly recommended.

[spurts-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am not sure how to rate/review this book as I am positive that one reason I liked is that I am a big fan of the Foundation trilogy and always wanted to see more of Hari Seldon and the heydeys of the Galactic Empire. This book gave me exactly that and Asimov can always write.

[freetrader_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A fifties book, written in the eighties. I really enjoyed reading the Foundation trilogy a long time ago, this however now reads as very outdated.

[ailinel-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first chronological novel in Asimov’s Foundation series centers on Hari Seldon’s travels after giving his first lecture at a mathematics conference on Trantor, which showed the theoretical possibility of psychohistory. When multiple political groups take this to mean he can predict the future, Seldon becomes a highly valued commodity to numerous political figures. The next day the Emperor meets Seldon personally to ask about psychohistory, and soon after Seldon is attacked by men in a park.
The reporter Chetter Hummim aids Seldon in escaping, and helps to keep Seldon free of the forces trying to control him… if Seldon agrees to try to make psychohistory truly work. Hummim is certain that the Galactic Empire is degenerating and dying, and he hopes that if Seldon can make psychohistory practical a way out can be found. Seldon and his friend/bodyguard Dors travel to various socioeconomic and cultural regions of Trantor as Seldon grows ever closer to creating a working framework for psychohistory. Meanwhile, the Emperor’s aid (and the de factor emperor) Demerzel follows in their steps laying traps to catch Seldon. As this happens the men and women who will become immortalized in the Encyclopedia Galactica as those central to Seldon’s life and the creation of psychohistory begin to come into contact with Seldon during the time known as ‘The Flight’.
This is perhaps the most interesting of the Foundation novels I have read so far, creating a number of diverse cultures and introducing a fascinating series of key characters. From early on my favorite was Hummim, though both Dors and Seldon are strong as well, especially as they grow more fleshed out throughout the course of the novel.

[comfypants · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The story's not at all interesting. But Asimov is the kind of writer that's always enjoyable to read on some level, even when he's writing about something boring.

[johnfair_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first, in order of reading, of Dr Asimov's books to be titled as a Foundation novel and it deals with the early life of Hari Seldon when he first arrives on Trantor and begins wondering about the possibilities of a science that could predict the direction of Human history. Seldon and Dors Venebilis go on the run from the Emperor's attempts to control Seldon and through him his new science.

Some of the 'action' scenes may seem a little laughable, but these have never been one of Asimov's strong points but this story does depend on the interactions between Seldon, Dor and those who help and hinder them and this is another area whre Asimove doesn't really shine over this length of story telling.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A long way from my favourite by "Uncle Isaac", but it does try to fill in the story of Hari Seldon a bit.

[versor-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of Isaac Asimov's best works, and - I think - the one I read first (many years ago, of course). Given my renewed interest in science fiction, I decided to begin collecting Asimov's works again, and (at my hinting) my wife gifted me a new copy of this.

It is an excellent work of science, culture, and supposition, as good science fiction should be. Some of the twists I remembered from previous readings, but others I could foresee without remembering (the nature of Dors, for example, is easily surmised, but the person of Hummin is a surprising twist). Asimov did a swell job, too, as he portrayed the various emotional and personal characteristics that he pointed out in each character in the final section of the novel. There is no doubt, no confusion, as we look back on the story, that each character is exactly as described (especially Seldon and his pride).

I have every intention of continuing to (re-)read Asimov's works, and this was a delightful way to remind myself of his universe. I shall endeavor, of course, to go back as well as forward; I have read his Foundation novels, but not his Empire ones, and few of his Robot works. This must be remedied.

[jdgarner68 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very fun read. This book is no great masterpiece, but is easy and fun to read. It was written as a prequel to Asimov's famous [book:Foundation|29579], which I have yet to read. I generally don't read books this size (200+ pages) unless they are works that are more serious; or, unless they are of my favorite genre: historical fiction. However, this book is fun enough that I may change my mind and continue reading the series.

[librisissimo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Asimov always does a readable story, but the substance is unconvincing for Hari Seldon's apotheosis.

[kaethe_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This particular episode in the series doesn't ring any bells. It may be time to start at the beginning and work my way through.

[charlie68_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A little two dimensional, the characters never really come alive, but a good story with some twists. I don't know if I'll read the whole series, but this one is well worth it.