Prelude to Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

This daring story of humanity’s future introduces one of the great masterworks of science fiction: the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, bold ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of people to save civilization from a relentless tide of darkness and violence - beginning with one exceptional man.

It is the year 12,020 GE and Emperor Cleon I sits uneasily on the Imperial throne of Trantor. Here in the great multidomed capital of the Galactic Empire, 40 billion people have created a civilization of unimaginable technological and cultural complexity. Yet Cleon knows there are those who would see him fall - those whom he would destroy if only he could read the future.

Hari Seldon has come to Trantor to deliver his paper on psychohistory, his remarkable theory of prediction. Little does the young Outworld mathematician know that he has already sealed his fate and the fate of humanity. For Hari possesses the prophetic power that makes him the most wanted man in the Empire...the man who holds the key to the future - an apocalyptic power to be known forever after as the 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

©1988 Isaac Asimov (P)2011 Random House

Read First!

This is a wonderful story that gives much-needed insight into the world of Foundation. It is very satisfying to have a better understanding of Harry’s history and motivations. At the same time, there are many unanswered questions that serve to keep the foundation world a bit shrouded in mystery. Highly recommend!

Fantastic Story

Scott Brick is an incredible narrator - his consistency and variety with voices make for a wonderful listen.
I finished up the earlier foundation books a few months ago. Diving back in with this story reminded me how Asimov was just a truly incredible world, strike that, galaxy builder. Would recommend

A new view on Hari Seldon

This is the book was written in 1988 roughly 36 years after Foundation. Here we meet Hari before he was father of psychohistory. We only saw the polished man in the end of his life. Here we follow Hari as he begins his work on psychohistory before it even began. It's a very interesting look at the Empire and everyone on Trantor. It was a great story and we get to find out what happened to some old favorite characters. It may have been written in later years and I wonder how time impacted its writing. A question I will not have an answer to and it might have made it better.

I love this first Foundation book

I'm so glad that, long after he wrote the Foundation books, I. A. wrote these two books. I read this one in June 2023 and am delighted to have so many more to look forward to.

This book is good.

I really like the narrator, Scott Brick. The book itself was good too! Going to read the next one now!

Just amazing!

Just unbelievable! One of the best science fiction books I ever heard… looking forward to listen the rest of the collection!

The challenges of Quantum Mechanics applied to forecasting rise or fall of a galactic empire

The logic of this story is the story, Asimov makes it surprisingly clear despite how densely packed with probabilities the plot is and, yet, he doesn’t try to justify his astounding ambition by delivering a soporific “answer”.

The multi-dimensional Foundation stories don’t end; they just stop and we’re still standing there, with that “box” containing Asimov’s version of Schroedinger’s cat, as you wonder if the past can measure the future without killing it.

Integration of the story

Enjoyed the entire premise of the book and respected each character and their development in the story. Thank you Isaac for a truly special series.

solid tale

The start of psychohistory. The plot is a chase away from an enemy and an ally with a secret identity. The cultures of Trantor are interesting.

a well told tale told well

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The performance is top notch - very engaging. The story (which I was not familiar with in advance) is quite good if perhaps a little light on character backstory/development but the plot and setting/imagery is outstanding.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Prelude to Foundation?

The reveal of the shocker at the climax - I didn't see it coming.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voicings of the characters convey a wide range of emotions (more than the text alone could) without devolving into cartoonishness.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I actually laughed out loud as I was driving (alone) when the shocker was revealed during the climax.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the rest of the Foundation series!