Rating: 
Summary: "Get a load of this guy!"
Review: My significant past acquaintance with Asimov has been his outstanding "History of Physics".This well-paced, infectious fictional work definitely keeps the interest; I read several hundred pages over the space of two days while otherwise busily occupied at work. The chapters are nicely brief, and the style is very clear to a degree. The plot device is to present an innocent man propelled into being a fugitive through his cooking up a mathematical theory which may be no more than a cockamamey pot of hooey. Also, one is awaiting, page by page, the crucial insight which will provide the pretext for his successful delivery of his mathematical miracle [prediction by computer software rather than Tarot - does Microsoft already have it?]. There ARE things that don't suit me about it... For one, the notion of a galaxy where the only sentient life forms are human beings FROM EARTH - a little disappointing. (This is explained in "Foundation's Edge".) For another, Asimov does not have a good ear for dialogue. I tired pretty quickly of constantly reading dialogues which seemed written more for the benefit of the reader than the characters' development. Also, the protagonist Hari Seldon, as a person, is neither very likeable nor interesting EXCEPT for his theory. I mean - LOOK AT THIS GUY! He comes up with all sorts of puerile, dopey notions; for example, he actually imagines that somehow he can ferret out information regarding an ancient arcane religious tradition from a Mycogenian woman adherent, (Raindrop 43). To compound this naivete, he actually insults her sensibilities, imagining this will REALLY work the trick and get her to open up to him [?!]. I really just had to shake my head at this, (as did his friend Dors Venabili). After a while, he starts insisting on even dopier notions because he imagines that somehow or other that this sort of irresponsible recklessness will provide him the missing key to his theory of "psychohistory". Similarly his arrival at the city of Mycogen on planet Trantor; he starts demanding that the local culture bow to his wishes and not treat his female companion Dors in their traditional patriarchal manner. Anybody who has ever been in a traditional culture knows that this sort of rudeness is the height of incivility and barbarity. You just don't do that. Period. (I don't know about you, but if my life was in danger, and a group with rather eccentric social mores offered me protection, I would be VERY sure to be civil and observe the local customs!) Then he starts raving because he can't get a bite to eat... You have to hand it to Asimov that he makes this story work, and work really well, with such a disappointing hero. I suspect he made the character intentionally pretentious and not too likeable; let's face it, that's how mathematicians are [just kidding!]. Finally, I just don't think Asimov is as good a writer as, say, Zelazny. I don't like putting Zelazny down; one needs a break from Asimov - O.K., maybe just 10 seconds between chapters, but his style is just not as good. One also misses the restrained prurience of Zelazny - but that's just my personal taste... Nevertheless, the remaining Foundation books are all excellent, and I highly recommend 'Prelude' to anybody that wants to get away from it all by reading a book.
Rating:
Summary: A very good read.
Review: I read the first robot book and was just a little disappointed. But I have enjoyed this book a great deal. It is a thinkers book as it is very short on action. The ideas are interesting and different from many books I have read. The only real complaint I have is some of the characters are a little two dimensional, I find that with many of his books. But it is his ideas and concepts that draw me to reading his books rather than his characters. My only other complaint it is seems a little long and could probobly have been done a little shorter. However it is still a great read and very interesting.
Rating:
Summary: A bit too looong.Still,a good book.
Review: You get to know the fabled Hari Seldon in his youth;you get to see Trantor in his golden albeit jaded years;you get to know what became of the spacers (how they came on Trantor,we will never,alas,know).But,really,there are sections that made me think Asimov was paid by the word!The absolutely pointless adventure on the city's roof,the repeated bickering about Psychohistory being feasible (good grief,as if we did'nt know!). Also,there are moments in which Hari is behaving in a really rude manner for reasons lamely justified.But the Mycogen chapter is one of Asimov's masterpieces,in which he criticizes ethnic separatism and self-righteousness.How wise of him!But to depict the jadedness of a decaying Empire you would have needed a Jack Vance.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Start For Hari Seldon's Work
Review: Asimov outdid himself when he wrote 'Prelude to Foundation.' This was the first Foundation story that he wrote after the original series in the 40's. 'Prelude' is the story of young Hari Seldon as he comes to the Galactic capitol Trantor to deliver his paper on the new science, pyschohistory. But Seldon's work is coveted by those who would pervert it and use it for thier own devious ends. Seldon's flight from his enemies takes him across the face of Trantor. Along the way Seldon learns the vital clues he will need make his science of prediction work. Populated with cunning characters and fantastic worlds, this is one of Asimov's greatest works and sets the stage for the entire Foundation universe. Science-fiction at it's best!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book
Review: Prelude to Foundation was simply incredible. It surpasses any movie I have seen, by far, and is probably my favorite book of all time (unless it's Foundation itself). The book not only manages to amaze and shock you, but it does so repeatedly! When you finish this book, you easily need to take a 10 to 15 minute period lost in deep thought, pondering the book. This book is so powerful, if you take the time out to read it, you will be forced by mere curiosity to read the other 5 novels in the Foundation Series.
Rating:
Summary: Tricky Isaac Asimov
Review: A few years ago, I remembered reading an Asimov (I don't remember which one it was, but it had lots of short stories.) I was bored, and told my dad if he could recommend a book. He got me this one, and I thought, "Cool, I liked the first Asimov I read, I'll love this one." This was great! The whole book leads you into thinking one thing, but you're totally tricked at the end. In the first Asimov I had read, he tricked me a couple times. But the tricks in this were similar, and I considered the same possibilities, but didn't truly believe they would be correct. He's a really good writer, and my only advice about the book is: Always keep in mind the three laws of robots (you'll know them if you've read another Asimov.) This book is great! Psychohistory was a really cool idea. What if we can predict things like that?
Rating:
Summary: Best one
Review: I see this book as a great beginning for ISaac Asimov's books. I first read this book and then got into more of his books. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece From Asimov
Review: Prelude to Foundation is a spell-binding adventure leaving the reader only wanting for more. This is the first of the Foundation series I've read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Like his other sci-fi works, Asimov used a simplistic, yet enjoyable writing style. The way he wove in twists into the whole story is truly remarkable. Asimov truly knew the art of good science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating starting point
Review: This is the first Foundation-novel I read. After finishing it, I immediately went to the bookstore to buy 10 other Asimovs, which should say enough.. . . The galaxy sketched by Asimov is so colorfull and realistic, one is driven to read the entire book at once. Each department of Trantor has its own characteristics, just like each culture on our tiny 'Aurora'. The problems created by these differences are parallel to 'ours' as well. As I recognised the Big Galactic Problems Asimov adresses in this book in our modern society, I was curious to see the development of the special solution Hari Seldon tried to find for them. You can recognise the scientist in Asimov, when Hari Seldon is asking himself questions about the development of his psychohistory. I was very curious about the answers lined out in the following novels. Furthermore, I was fascinated with the idea of our Earth transformed into a mere legend, and the unexplainable 'Easterns' and 'Westerns' spread into the vast galaxy. Last but not least, the plot was very surprising. Asimov tricked me into some wrong ideas the entire novel. I am reading 'Foundation and Empire' now, and I'm still totally obsessed with it, so I recommend this series to everyone who likes SF-novels as well as social sciences.
Rating:
Summary: An Exceptional Prelude
Review: Although it may be helpful to read the Foundation Trilogy and perhaps Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth before this prelude-and Forward the Foundation-this is an excellent read in whatever order you read it. The series is fantastic, and this prelude-which chornicles how Hari Seldon was introduced to psychohistory and the principal, early developments he made during the period of The Flight. It also introduces many of the important characters that later play a greater part in Forward the Foundation. The novel is very suspenseful indeed, and is notably fast-paced, which is a pleasant surprise from Asimov. There is a lot to look forward to, including several glimpses at the Galactic Empire while it still had the appearence of grandness, robots and the search for information about Earth, and two interesting surprises in the end, which involve a reunion with an old friend, if you have read another series by Asimov. This book is definitely as good as, if not better than, the three novels of the Foundation Triolgy. Read it!
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