In Isaac Asimov's groundbreaking novel "Foundation," the fate of a collapsing Galactic Empire hangs in the balance. A visionary mathematician, Hari Seldon, uses the science of psychohistory to predict the empire's dark future and establishes a Foundation to preserve knowledge and civilization. As chaotic forces rise and rival factions vie for power, the Foundation's small cadre of thinkers must navigate political intrigue and existential threats. Will their carefully laid plans be enough to stave off centuries of darkness? Dive into a compelling saga of intellect, ambition, and the quest to shape humanity's destiny!
By Isaac Asimov
Published: 2004
"The greatest problem of the Galactic Empire is the mind of the man."
The first novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION • Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation. The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.
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“The greatest problem of the Galactic Empire is the mind of the man.”
Foundation
By Isaac Asimov
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Isaac Asimov was a prolific American author and biochemist, best known for his contributions to the science fiction genre and popular science literature. Born on January 2, 1920, in Petrovichi, Russia, he emigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. Asimov's most famous works include the "Foundation" series and the "Robot" series, which have had a lasting impact on science fiction and inspired generations of writers and thinkers. In addition to fiction, he wrote extensively on a variety of scientific subjects, making complex ideas accessible to the general public. Asimov's influential writing, characterized by clarity and imagination, has cemented his legacy as one of the most important science fiction authors of the 20th century.
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