• Foundation and Empire

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (9,350 ratings)

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Foundation and Empire  By  cover art

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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    6,645
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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    26

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

Not as good as the first book

For me, this sequel was a disappointment.
The first book was intriguing, and compared to him, this one was boring and mostly predicted.
I probably won't read the third one.

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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

A classic by Asimov

Any fan of Isaac Asimov or science fiction in general must read the Foundation Trilogy to attain a basic grasp of the work that followed.

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

Asimov is flipping amazing

If you're on the fence about whether or not to read asimov, just do it. He's a master storyteller. And even though some of his plot twists are common troupes now, he has done them in such a beautifully complex yet simplistic way that they are welcomed and satisfying.

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

Brilliant

Very good book read very well. I recommend this highly. It's continuing thought provoking story is amazing.

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

Can't wait for the third book

Great storytelling of the first part continues, and ends at a massive cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more.

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

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

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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    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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    4 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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