• Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (18,789 ratings)

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Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)  By  cover art

Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's summary

The first novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

The epic saga that inspired the Apple TV+ series Foundation, now streaming. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

For 12,000 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.

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

©1982 Isaac Asimov (P)2010 Random House

Featured Article: 40+ Inspirational Quotes for When You Need Some Words of Reassurance


When life gets tough or self-doubt strikes, a few words of inspiration can make an incredible difference. And who better to turn to for words of inspiration than gifted authors? In this collection of quotes from noted novelists, poets, and memoirists, you'll find the right words to lift your spirits and keep you shining. From a variety of celebrated authors, these quotes will inspire you to follow your dreams, face your fears, do what's right, and believe in yourself.

What listeners say about Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    11,372
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    4,671
  • 3 Stars
    1,928
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,636
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    308

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great classic

Follow the rise of a new Roman empire, in space, with atom bombs, spaceships, microwaves, and galactic trade deals. I promise it is better than Phantom Menace.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Yes

Love it n stuff f f g just rev hug Weec Kiu hubs gym few

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Still the best & most important sci-fi series

Anyone who likes science fiction has to read (or listen to) The Foundation Trilogy--once at a minimum. I read it twice, decades ago; don't have much time for reading now; but drive a lot, so decided to listen to it.

It's fast-paced, rich with plot, and well-structured. Character development is entirely through words & deeds; there are no lengthy paragraphs of description.

Scott Brick is the narrator. He also did the version of Atlas Shrugged that I listened to. He's pretty good. His style allows the listener to realize that there were some similarities in Asimov's and Rand's styles.

For anyone who doesn't have the time to read the book, I unhesitatingly recommend this audiobook.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

roman history reimagined

the book read like a history book and it makes the effort to construct details that look like historical record.

the narrator is kind of plain. not much variation among characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Big history sci-fi series

What made the experience of listening to Foundation the most enjoyable?

The idea of having a story where no individual character survives from beginning to end, but instead we follow generations as they pave their way and deal with what the previous generations did. I'm surprised I didn't get to this series before.

Any additional comments?

Don't get attached to characters any more than you would reading a history book. They come and go suddenly, and some are barely mentioned after they pass away.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Middle of the Road

This book is in the middle of the road for me.

On the one hand I am intrigued by the premises of the book to map out the course of history over 1,000 years to try to shorten the suffering of mankind after the collapse of the Empire.

The other side of it, that it has to describe 1,000 years of history in 7 books and around 150 years in this first volume. Because of that, the book feels like you are constantly pressing the fast forward button only seeing bits and pieces of the story, just focusing on 3 people for very brief moments of their lives.

Also, the book shows it's age and feels just plain outdated at times.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The book that got me hooked on Sci-Fi

Great! Scott does a fantastic job reading a Sci-Fi classic. I read this book in my early teens and have loved it ever since. Just listened for the first time and it is a very good rendition.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book

Genre: Sci-Fi Distant space future

Rated: PG-13 mild violence

1st or 3rd Person: 3rd person, 4+ main characters

Static or Dynamic: Dynamic. This are always changing. So much so that it can get confusing.

Art or Entertainment: Art. Asimov tries to (well at his time) create the genre of inter-space statecraft so expect never ending political scheming. This is not a book that is meant to entertain you and wow you with special effects. It's a classic that is meant to be thought about.

Linear or Non-Linear: Semi-Linear. Things progress in one way but there is a secular prophet (he would hate being called that) who predicts the future with sociological mathematics.

Narrator: Well done but not inspiring.

Plot Outline: This book could very very very easily have taken place at any time in Earths history with much the same effect. It happens to take place so far in the future that humans have forgotten which planet they first came from which in 1951 was probably mind boggling. The plot is essentially a statecraft novel that follows the Cons of five Con men/politicians. Their main strategies follow along Deception -> Tactics -> Coercion -> Guile. The book takes place over several hundred years and when the cons of one civilization eventually plateau the Foundation has to undergo a paradigm shift to maintain it's footing and continue growing. I really like the idea but I've seen it so many times now that it was a little underwhelming though at the time of it's publication I'm sure that it was extreme. I've read Asimov before and he tends to make his protagonists all powerful and his antagonists thoroughly hate-able (which is good) but always suffer from extreme character flaws that get them conned out of everything they have. Asimov has been described as having almost no illustrative techniques while still making a successful book. This is the case here. There are no succulent daisies swaying in the wind of an effervescent moon beam, however, the plot formulation is stimulating and genius. I would heartily recommend this book for the effects it's had in science fiction alone and it's individual merritt only adds to that, though it's more than a little political, so prepare to do something stimulating with your hands or feet while you listen to keep from losing focus.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Sociology or Fiction?

Seems like every Science Fiction novel I read that was written in the 1960???s or 1970???s they seem to substitute story for social and philosophical issues. Foundation is no different, while this book has a very interesting take on a shifting society; I found the story and the characters very flat. While I didn???t like this aspect of the book there fast paced; rise of the foundation was really great. Don???t read this for the story; read this book for an interesting social aspects and the effects change has on mankind.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

boring and unimaginative

What disappointed you about Foundation?

no connection to entertainment
no heart
the science was at best borrowed from others with basic knowledge

What could Isaac Asimov have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

not write it

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