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

Trantor, capital of a galactic empire!

In the 1950’s and 1960’s the “big three” of Science Fiction were Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke and Robert Heinlein, all three are required reading for any real fan of the genre.

There are two schools of thought on how to approach Asimov’s epic “Foundation” series. The original trilogy consisting of “Foundation”, “Foundation and Empire” and “Second Foundation” were written in the 1950’s. Later in the 1980’s and 1990’s Asimov wrote two prequels, “Prelude to Foundation” and “Forward the Foundation” and two sequels to the original trilogy, “Foundations Edge” and “Foundation and Earth.” Some urge newcomers to read them in published order but I much prefer to approach the series in historical order, the order in which the events occur.

As with almost all writing from these periods, some of the technologies presented are to a certain point outdated. It is easy for us now to consider the lack of smart phones and the internet bit of an oversight but it does not affect overall enjoyment of the story and the remainder of the technology is advanced enough to be well beyond us today.

While "Prelude to Foundation" discusses events on a huge galactic scale it really focuses on the life of one man, Hari Seldon and his quest to develop the science of “Psychohistory” which will, when perfected, predict the future of large scale events surrounding societies and their governmental structures, such as a collapse of a galactic empire. It takes place on the crowded forty billion inhabitant, capital planet of a galaxy wide empire called “Trantor” which is divided into zones that blanket the entire planet.

The novel starts out with Hari arriving on Trantor for the first time to present a paper on his yet undeveloped "Psychohistory" to a mathematics symposium. As the book proceeds it leads you through an exploration of the technology, government and various social structures of Trantor, all of which serve to provide the foundation (sorry) for Hari’s later development of Psychohistory.

Do not expect a space opera with new excitement and thrills at every turn; this is not that type story. On the other hand, do not think I am saying "Prelude to Foundation" is in any way boring, the novel is a delight to listen to. Throughout the adventure it keeps you thinking about Trantor, the societies involved and the interesting storyline. The book is direct, to the point without a lot of useless meandering and moves not at a rapid but rather a nice comfortable pace.

When finished, you will be eager to continue the journey to see if Hari can complete his Psychohistory project, which is so important for the future of humanity.

How was the narration? Well, it is narrated by Scott Brick, need I say more!

excellent!

Where does Prelude to Foundation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites. So masterfully woven into the rest of the series.

What did you like best about this story?

Scott Brick is one of my very favorite narrators. Loved him in the ender series as well.

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

what a performance! its so well dramatized, perfect delivery.

A great read

It's a little slow in the beginning but towards the end of the book everything comes together and you see why things were like they were. I liked that Asimov explained everything and you weren't left wondering why an event had happened. It was quite satisfying this way.

prelude to foundation

I love this audible book very very much. I found it very hard to put it down and do something else. it was extremely interesting and had many many Twisted story which I enjoyed extremely.I really do appreciate Asimov series of books and I will continue listening to them on my phone and my Kindle when I do get it fixed. Thank you very much.

READ THIS ASIMOV NOVEL LAST!

I recommend starting with Forward The Foundation and ending on this for the ultimate Asimov Foundation/Robots/Empire novels experience. Please consider for your enjoyment.

Impressed

The narrator has a great voice that was pleasing to the ears, and could change just enough you knew each character, but it wasn't forced or exaggerated.

Excellent Science Fiction

This is the first Asimov book in the Foundation series and only the 2nd of his works that I've listened to/read (the first being I, Robot). I love this story! And Scott Brick does a great job bringing it to life.

The combo of Asimov and Brick is so good, it lead me to listen to the rest of the Foundation series.

keep going.

Our protagonist, Harry Seldon keeps pulling on that thread! a thread he initially had no intention of pulling on. After reading the Robot series the end of this book is predictable with some twists.

I Robotech redux - but really really good

About half-way I had it all figured it out, even if Mathematician Selden had not. However, Mr. Asimov's storyline is amazing. And the narrator is so good, I had to finish. Now, on to the next book in the series!

The brilliant tying together of Asimov's Work

How do you write a review of this without spoilers? I refuse but it is Asimov being brilliant and a wonderful student of human nature.