Foundation

Rating:
Summary: The classic SF novel
Review: Fifteen years ago, this book was the zenith of SF to me. Today, I know there are many better books. But you should read it anyway, it's a classic. You can't be taken seriously in any SF discussion if you aren't familiar with the great Foundation.

Isaac Asimov is, of course, a very skilled writer. Most SF writers allow themselves embarrassing blunders that make their universes physically absurd. In this book, you're not likely to find anything like that. To really appreciate Mr. Asimov's genius, you should read other SF novels written in the same time. Nearly all of them look ridiculous in the year 2000. Mr. Asimov's books don't. If you wouldn't know, you couldn't tell that the book was written half a century ago.

Rating:
Summary: The peak of science fiction.
Review: Foundation. This is, by far, the greatest book I have ever read on science fiction. A masterpiece... Isaac Asimov is the master writer. As for the book's plot itself, Hari Seldon's psychohistory plan, which can predict the future of humanity, is being used as the Galactic Empire falls. The Seldon Plan, if followed, predicts that the 30,000 years of barbarism with no Empire can be reduced to 1,000, but the Plan takes utmost wisdom to keep on track, long after Seldon is dead.

Rating:
Summary: The first of 14 books in the series....here's the list:
Review: For those of you who would like to read the Foundation story in it's entirety, from beginning to end, chronologically, then I suggest following this course. There are 14 books in the series! In the end, it was R. Daneel Olivaw who designed and created the Trantorian empire in the first place, and so the robot novels--which introduce the cradle world of Earth before the dawn of the empire--come before the Foundation Trilogy:

The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, The Robots of Dawn, Robots and Empire, Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation, Foundation's Fear, Foundation and Chaos, Foundation's Triumph, Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, Foundation and Earth

Now some of you might not recommend that one read the Second Trilogy before the first. True, but they come chronologically BEFORE the first Foundation Trilogy! I do recommend that you at least read Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth AFTER you have read the second trilogy (Foundation's Fear, Foundation and Chaos, Foundation's Triumph) because the subjects in the last two (chronological) books are more interesting that way. Note also that I do not consider Asimov's early "Empire" novels to apply to the Foundation series. Interesting that they were included in Foundation's Triumph, but not relevant. It was cheesy in my opinion that the "time machine" was included in that story and then not even used for any practical purpose. Again, another plot-joiner there (Triumph was filled with them!). So, 14 books in all, in my estimation. The three galactic empire books are so cheesy, just don't read them...nothing to do with Foundation at all.

Rating:
Summary: Asimov, the best scifi writer of all time
Review: The books in Asimov's universe are by far the best scifi to date. I enjoyed the Foundation and Robot books so much I collected all 45 books that are set in the Foundation universe, written by Asimov and other authors. While not all authors live up to Asimov, their contribution allows his loyal fans a chance to slip back into the universe he created. If anyone is interested in Scifi books, the Foudnation series is a wonderful place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent stepping stone to world of SF!
Review: Folks, till foundation happened to me, I had for some inexplicable reasons never got introduced to world of science fiction (SF).(unless you call hitchhikers guide to galaxy as one) Based on influence of the die hard coterie of Asimov's fans, I decided to start my journey with Foundation...........and I have really found it cool stuff............worth reading and excellent investment of time..........since it rejuvenates you with fascinating ideas and terrific narrative. Looking forward to picking up the next one.

Rating:
Summary: Asimov's Masterpiece
Review: The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are the standard by which I judge all science fiction. The stories center around the mathmatical mechanics that allow for the prediction of the future in a statistcal manner- individual lives remain unaffected, but humanity's future can be charted and directed. All this comes to pass as the great galatic empire slowly but surely fades into chaos. Only Hari Seldon, creator of this science of prediction, can save the universe from a galatic dark age. The short stories contained in this volume set the stage for the rich universe that the other volumes fill and explore. This is the series that testifies to the genius of it's author and is perhaps his greatest legacy.

Rating:
Summary: Odd, yet unique sci-fi storytelling ...
Review: Despite all the hype and negativity due to popularity backlash none can honestly admit that Asimov made a mundane focus for his writing passions when he wrote and then published the stories that comprise 'Foundation'. Since I read this epic book in eighth grade it has stuck with me due to the relation of structural decay and rebirth in a future universe that mirrors our own rather perochial existance. The serendipity and foresight combining thought and action to build a better future for mankind in the Milky Way galaxy will leave the experienced, educated readers feeling they have witnessed the true future of our reality. This is a truely brilliant effort of science fiction as are many of Asimov's early works. Shame on the nay sayers.

Rating:
Summary: Reads like a story outline
Review: Having suffered the derision of fellow sci-fi fans for many years, I recently picked up the Foundation Trilogy for the first time; I was actually pretty disappointed by my first exposure to Asimov's longer works. Obviously the man is one of the renowned masters of science fiction because he got there first: he wrote about a Galactic Empire long before it became cliche, speculated about the limits and triumphs of science, etc. That said, what struck me most about this beginning to the Foundation series was that Asimov's story exactly parallels Hari Seldon's theory of psychohistory: only movements, not individuals, are significant in shaping history, and even the main characters in the book are accordingly underdeveloped to the point of being forgettable. I enjoy world-building as much as the next sci-fi/fantasy buff, but I also appreciate well-constructed sentences and good characterization, both of which I found sorely lacking here. Also, "Foundation" is clearly a man's world, setting a tradition of male adolescent sci-fi in which strong and/or interesting female characters have no place.

I give the novel three stars only because it sets up the background for the next two in the series, which overcome some (but not all) of the faults in this first effort. But I think that I will return to my personal favorites among the old masters, including Robert Heinlein and Theodore Sturgeon, who have always delivered philosophy, wit, and imagination along with excellent storytelling.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant SF outing, but little more.
Review: Three stars is a bit generous, but this certainly isn't a bad book. In fact, it is easy to read, always interesting, and often exciting. But that's all it is. It is not deep or meaingful. It is not profoud. It is not thought provoking. It isn't even particularly well written. But it's so easy to take and has enough good qualities that it can't be disliked.

The plot center's around the creation of a Foundation, a place where mankind's accumulated knowledge can be protected from the approaching collapse of civilization. This is an interesting enough premise and very original in its day, but the blending of mathematics and psychology into a science that can accurately predict much of the future is hard to take seriously.

If you come across a copy of this book, read it. It won't take long and you'll probably enjoy much of it even if your not a SF fan, but I don't recommend anyone by this book. There is to much out there that is much much better.

Rating:
Summary: Boring,complicated...What's all the hype about?
Review: Being a sci-fi fan myself, I decided I wanted to try reading some of the works by the giants of sci-fi. I had always heard how great "Foundation" was, so I thought I'd start with this one. I was thoroughly disappointed! Asimov used way too many large words ("using dollar words where dime words would suffice"). The story seemed to jump around from one time to another. The characters were very one-dimensional and very flat...I didn't have that "I wonder what's going to happen next to ---". I just didn't care what was going to happen next to the characters or in the story. There didn't seem to be anything to propel this story along; nothing to develop the characters or the story. I read over 100 pages and I still had no interest in what was happening. (Even Stephen King, who can be pretty tough to get into his stories, has me hooked within 50 to 60 pages!) I just don't get what all the hype is over this book. Could someone out there PLEASE tell me! I will try to get into his Robot series...maybe he has better character and story development in them...I hope!