Forward the Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Here, from a grand master of science fiction, is the long-awaited final novel of the greatest science-fiction series ever told. Completed just before his death, Forward the Foundation is the crowning achievement of a great writer’s life, a stirring testament to the creative genius of Isaac Asimov.

As Hari Seldon struggles to perfect his revolutionary theory of psychohistory and ensure a place for humanity among the stars, the great Galactic Empire totters on the brink of apocalyptic collapse. Caught in the maelstrom are Seldon and all he holds dear, pawns in the struggle for dominance. Whoever can control Seldon will control psychohistory - and with it the future of the galaxy.

Among those seeking to turn psychohistory into the greatest weapon known to man are a populist political demagogue, the weak-willed Emperor Cleon I, and a ruthless militaristic general. In his last act of service to humankind, Hari Seldon must somehow save his life’s work from their grasp as he searches for its true heirs - a search that begins with his own granddaughter and the dream of a new Foundation.

Listen to all of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, including (in chronological order):

Prelude to FoundationForward the FoundationFoundationFoundation and Empire Second FoundationFoundation's EdgeFoundation and Earth

©1993 Nightfall, Inc (P)2011 Random House Audio

Great story, terrible narration

I really loved this collection of stories, but really struggled with the narration. Playing it at 1.5 speed helped a lot, but it would have been more enjoyable with a better reader.

Good but not essential

A good collection of stories, but not essential to the understanding of the following Foundation books.
Not as coherent or gripping as the older books. One needs to see them as the unpolished version of the could have been book.
The narator is awfull if listen to normal speed. I found it a lot more tolerable, even enjoyable, at 1.2 speed.
All in all a must if you're a Foundation fan, and a skip for a curious.

Forward the Foundation

As an Asimov/sci-fi fan, I loved the story…I would have preferred a more versatile narrator. By the way, has anyone found a narration of Robots and Empire?

Beautiful end or beginning!

What a fitting end (or beginning) to the series! It’s alittle bit of a slog but filled with some heartwarming and wrenching moments!

The second pre-foundation book almost lost me

The narrator is kinda boring, with his predictable and off-target accents. This book, which I listened to in June 2023 is kinda boring and predictable too.

I just downloaded the actual Foundation book, and I'm looking forward to giving it a try, thinking, surely the young Isaac Asimov could do better than this book and I'm looking forward to giving it a try, thinking, surely the young Isaac Asimov could do better than F the F. So, with fingers crossed...

Would ask for a refund, but story is worth it.

The narrator is wooden and poorly edited. This great piece of fiction deserves better than this narrator. I would normally ask for a refund, but the story is worth it.

Couldn’t get past awful narration.

Probably the most poorly narrated story I have ever listened to, to the point that it makes it difficult to even comment on the content. Audible should yank this and either re-do it or delete it from its catalog.

Horrible Narrator for a great book, 1.3x Speed

The monotone is not as bad as his odd pauses. The pause between chapter is good but he has a lot of pauses in inconceivable places. I can hardly continue to listen until another person mentioned about playing at 1.5x speed. I adjusted mine to 1.2x and only then I was able to continue.

Needs to be Re-Narrated

Would you be willing to try another one of Larry McKeever’s performances?

Mr. McKeever's performance hurts this series for those who have never heard it before or read any of the books. Not only does his monotone narration make listening to this story almost unbearable, McKeever's pronunciation of some of the main character's names was so bad that at first I thought some new characters were being introduced.

horrible narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Forward the Foundation to be better than the print version?

No

What did you like best about this story?

Everything

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He was so horrible that I had to force myself to listen. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that after I was done with this book, I wouldn't have to listen to him until somewhere near the last book.

Any additional comments?

I do not understand why publishers use different narrators in a series. Maybe because they couldn't get who they wanted for all of them?? I have never before written a review where I talked about how bad the narrator was - but this guy is so bad, that I almost considered just reading the book. But, I listen to books so that I can do other things at the same time, as I am sure most of us do, so it just wasn't an option.