The Foundation Series is a sweet read which clearly shows the emperor's influence during the timeline. Many Science Fiction stories have a hero vs the machine - to fire our imaginations, so far I have determined that there isn't really a continuity of characters from beginning to end except for the mathematician, Hari Seldon but even he dies. There are others like his assistant, Gaal Dornick. Seldon's sidekick. His crucial discovery is so fantastic, its suppressed but during the series the mathematician is later brought to stand trial. The trilogy spans the entire galaxy and not one ET make a grand entrance. Many come and go like Emperor Cleon but I won't be a killjoy.
So if you're an Asimov fan, Geek, or Nerd you're in for a treat. While the technology appears Flash Gordon, the trekker will obviously enjoy Asimov's Futurism. His "through the lens" perspective gives a unique timeline experience covering the ages but all is not what it seems.
The first volume Foundation establishes the colony Terminus called The Foundation, and the various challenges and crises it has to face and solve in the increasing chaotic galactic empire.
Foundation and Empire, the second volume, deals with a new unforeseen challenge in the ascendancy of The Mule, a mutant with extraordinary powers that can enslave whole planets and even causes the collapse of the first Foundation.
In Second Foundation the final volume, as the title suggests, the Second Foundation comes into its own as a force to be contended with. Unlike the first foundation, who were masters of technology, the members of this society are masters of mind control, so have a fair chance to defeat The Mule.
The setting is in a gigantic galaxy wide empire with nuclear gadgets and offbeat vibrant effects. However, these are only interesting gizmos without too much importance to the major story regarding their function.
Gaal Dornick springs forth as a dedicated Hardcase in the beginning only to disappear mysteriously before the end. Hari Seldon is another character whose interaction held onto my curiosity because his discovery makes you think outside the box, Psychohistory Duh What? I became an Asimov fan quite by accident when I read the Last Question, which got me started on futurism, science, technology and I've been hooked ever since.
Long Live the Foundation!
9 comments:
He really was a star. Back in the day I read a LOT of Asimov.
I've read countless Asimov novels myself EC from the Robot series, to the Martian Way and now the Foundation Series. You can't help but really connect with the characters.
Most interesting to read, Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne.
Asimov was a true giant of the genre.
Asimov's Science Fiction output was prolific by many standards, he's even written about "Star Trek Conventions as Asimov Sees Them" and "Mr. Spock is Dreamy!" another essay which first appeared in TV Guide and well worth the read
I love the Foundation books. There's not much action compared to what we've grown accustomed to seeing in sci-fi adventures but the basic premise is so fascinating that it hardly matters. I especially enjoy the Mule stories, and how they eventually beat him.
I gave my wife book 1 as part of a book swap. She didn't care for it. Not for everyone.
I absolutely LOVED Isaac Asimov's books. I should probably go back and reread the Foundation trilogy.
www.ficklemillennial.com
I'm a big Isaac Asimov fan. There were a few more Foundation books beyond the main trilogy, and they include a really surprising crossover with one of Asimov's other famous books.
Coincidentally, I'm reading these books for the first time at the moment.
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