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  • Foundation and Empire

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (9,437 ratings)

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Foundation and Empire

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

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

Led by its founding father, the psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and utilizing science and technology, the Foundation survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Now cleverness and courage may not be enough. For the Empire - the mightiest force in the Galaxy - is even more dangerous in its death throes. Even worse, a mysterious entity called the Mule has appeared with powers beyond anything humanly conceivable. Who - or what - is the Mule? And how is humanity to defend itself against this invulnerable avatar of annihilation?

Filled with nail-biting suspense, nonstop action, and cutting-edge speculation, Foundation and Empire is the story of humanity’s perpetual struggle against the darkness that forever threatens to overwhelm the light - and of how the courage of even a determined few can make all the difference in the universe.

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

©1991 Isaac Asimov (P)2010 Random House

What listeners say about Foundation and Empire

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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I knew the Mule!

Great book as I knew it would be, looking forward to the next one. It was very interesting to see how some one viewed a future from 50 years past....

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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

Brilliant subject material, excellent narration

Absolutely worth the read/listen. A few characters you have to keep track of, but other than that, it's just an incredible story.

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

Wonderful story. So-so reader.

I have trouble with my vision and though I’ve read the Foundation Trilogy a bunch of times, I can’t do it again right now because my eyes won’t permit.
I love this 2nd book the best. I wish I could read it myself. The reader just doesn’t sound right to me. Sigh. Other people might like him better than I do. YMMV.

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

not as good as the first

writing wasn't as good as the first. the twist is obvious and frustrating to get to.

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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

Epic story and amazing narration

This is the epic and excellent sequel to the first foundations book. Nothing I can say will add to what has already been said about this book. So I will just add my voice to the already large chorus of praise. Additionally, the vocal performance of this book is top notch. Not only does it get across the emotions of the book, but it adds to the overall experience.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

I enjoyed this reading and will continue the series. Amazing the imagination of Asimov 70 years ago. Seems like it could’ve been written yesterday.

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

No plan survives contact with reality

The grand plan mentioned in the previous book is derailed when a mutant shows up and starts dominating planet after planet. Most series see the second story be weaker than the first or third book, but this series proves to be an exception. Intense and dark.

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

Outstanding contribution to the Foundation series

Asimov at his best, an outstanding contribution to the Foundation series. Scott Brick is as good as he always is...excellent.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book.. Excellent narration

Scott Brick delivered an excellent performance. I found myself fascinated with his techniques.. Especially after enduring some horrible readings by other voice actors with other audio books - He really shines!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic

Always satisfies both my appetite for literature and science fiction. Ageless story of human population and fall of empire. Excellent.

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