Foundation cover art

Foundation

The Foundation Trilogy, Book 1

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Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: William Hope
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About this listen

WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST ALL-TIME SERIES

The Foundation series is Isaac Asimov’s iconic masterpiece. Unfolding against the backdrop of a crumbling Galactic Empire, the story of Hari Seldon’s two Foundations is a lasting testament to an extraordinary imagination, one that shaped science fiction as we know it today.

The Galactic Empire has prospered for twelve thousand years. Nobody suspects that the heart of the thriving Empire is rotten, until psychohistorian Hari Seldon uses his new science to foresee its terrible fate.

Exiled to the desolate planet Terminus, Seldon establishes a colony of the greatest minds in the Empire, a Foundation which holds the key to changing the fate of the galaxy.

However, the death throes of the Empire breed hostile new enemies, and the young Foundation’s fate will be threatened first.

©2019 Isaac Asimov (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Hard Science Fiction Jewish Heritage Science Fiction Space Exploration Space Opera Fiction Interstellar Star Wars Robotics

Critic Reviews

"One of the most staggering achievements in modern SF." (The Times)

"Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age...It will never be known how many practising scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov." (Carl Sagan)

"Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction." (Daily Telegraph)
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the beginning is a little laboured, but quickly picks up pace and intrigue. really enjoyed it.

starts slow, picks up exponentially.

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I really enjoyed it, it's clear why this is considered to be such a sci-fi class.

Great book

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this book is the basis of almost all science fiction novels, audiobook done with a high quality of performance.

one of the most inspirational books ever written.

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It's no secret that Isaac Asimov (as•im•of) was a highly gifted individual, firstly, a professor of biochemistry, and later, a prolific author. This is the first book of his I have experienced, and before listening to it, I had wondered if, perhaps, his superior scientific ability might hamper his storytelling ability...

Not so! Foundation is an outstanding story that kept me riveted until 'THE END'. In particular, Asimov's intellect shines through in his ability to construct strategies to govern people, firstly through religion, and later, through the use of trade and getting a people hooked on their improving quality of life and the threat that comes from the removal of that progression.

In particular, a strong parallel can be drawn to contemporary society in which the west has become increasingly in thirst of the low cost of the gadgetry that it has outsourced to China, which in turn has weakened its power over China accordingly. And to think that Asimov published this story 70 years ago, in 1951! Such insight!

Finally, I really enjoyed William Hope's narration, in particular, his ability to change accents and tones of voice when different characters were speaking.

Outstanding

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Most of it is interesting, but I f you’re ever having trouble sleeping, just listen to Part V. I was expecting more sci-fi stuff.

More bureaucratic than expected

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Interesting story with tons of grand ideas and machinations. I struggled with the narration being a bit annoying and too shouty. It could reflect the out-dated author's tone however.

Big ideas, very shouty narration

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Classic story. I've read this many times and this was my 1st time as an audio book.
The performance was a bit grating at times but did have a very wide array of voices.

Classic

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I read the original Foundation twenty something yesrs ago. Hearing the story takes me back & then some!

Foundation delivers

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Took a while for me to warm to to the series and the voice acting but by half way in i was in love.

A Great of the Genre

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Fantastic idea of mapping vast histories as mathematical probabilities. The book though is a series of dialogs like medieval court politics. Very little is action other than spoken about afterwards in dialog. The voice acting however is spectacular. It gets the over exaggerated caricatures of nobles and kings just right. Hard not to smile with some of the ridiculous accents.

Shakespeare would approve the political intrigue

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