Foundation and Earth

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the great masterworks of science fiction. An ingenious blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of men and women determined to shield enlightened humanity from a ceaseless threat of darkness and ultimate annihilation.

Golan Trevize, former councilman of the First Foundation, has chosen the future, and it is Gaia. A superorganism, Gaia is a holistic planet with a common consciousness so intensely united that every dewdrop, every pebble, every being, can speak for all - and feel for all. It is a realm in which privacy is not only undesirable, it is incomprehensible. But is it the right choice for the destiny of mankind? While Trevize feels it is, that is not enough. He must know. 

Trevize believes the answer lies at the site of humanity’s roots: fabled Earth...if it still exists. For no one is sure where the planet of Gaia’s first settlers is to be found in the immense wilderness of the galaxy. Nor can anyone explain why no record of Earth has been preserved, no mention of it made anywhere in Gaia’s vast world-memory. It is an enigma Trevize is determined to resolve and a quest he is determined to undertake, at any cost. 

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

©1986 Nightfall, Inc (P)2011 Random House Audio

Please please re-record with Scott Brick!!

I read the series long ago an enjoyed re-visiting it agai an audible. All was going well, until this book. Like nearly every review I've seen I say the same thing....the narration is BAD BAD BAD!!!!

If Audible or anyone with influence reads this and the other reviews, please pay attention and re-do this narration. I would not recomend this series at this point, which is very sad given the excellent quality of the ealier books.

Good story, Poor reading.

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

Only if they were an Asimov fan. The poor quality of the reader limits it to only those really into the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Golan Treviese. He's the hero of the story. His actions drive the story forward.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Larry McKeever?

Scott Brick did an excellent job on the rest of the series. He should have done this one too.

Any additional comments?

It's a classic Asimov story, smart and insightful. it's just a shame it's such a bland and uninteresting reading, it really ruined the experience.

Good Book, poor performance

Good finish to the series. Narration sounded more robotic than the robots in the story. Unwelcome change from the rest of the series.

Excellent book, poor narration

I love the storyline after listening to the previous 4 recordings from Audible, but the narration of this one makes listening into more of a chore than something enjoyable. For some reason the series switches from Scott Brick's excellent narration to what sounds like an 80s Speak & Spell for the last installment. The lack of differentiation between characters is disconcerting, especially having just listened to Foundation's Edge where the narrator gives the main characters (who return in Foundation and Earth) very distinctive tones.

Good story. Terrible narration.

I have always enjoyed the stories of Isaac Asimov. However, the performance of this narrator is terrible and significantly detracts from the overall performance.

Unwelcome change in narrator

What did you like best about Foundation and Earth? What did you like least?

Scott Brick is sorely missed. The story line is consistent with the series, however, the narration sounds computer generated and detracted from the enjoyment of the story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Sounds computer generated.

Easily the worst read Audible.com book.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Only if you have a sentimental attachment to the Foundation series and want to read it to its end. Larry McKeever turned one of my favorite books into a daily toil. I slept through large portions of the book and didn't even bother rewinding because I just wanted to finish it. He has the reading voice of a Geritol advertisement. Also he obviously didn't bother, or did his editors, to listen to any of the other Foundation books because his pronunciations are terribly inconsistent: Zer-oth law instead of Zero-eth. Gee-skard instead of Gis-kard etc. To those with fond memories of the Foundation series who want to keep them that way should avoid this book. I honestly don't know Larry McKeever was ever allowed in front of a microphone.

What other book might you compare Foundation and Earth to and why?

Alystar Reynolds has some great books.

How could the performance have been better?

Pick a different guy. I know! How about the same person who read all the other books in the series. At least he knows how to pronounce the names and words.

Could you see Foundation and Earth being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I know they say they are making one but the general public is too dumb to absorb a story like this. They'd have to turn it into a travesty of intellectual minimalism like Will Smith's "I, Robot. Maybe if Daneel Olivaw was a transformer...."

Any additional comments?

This book is proof that you can turn pure gold into dung.

I'm sure Larry is a nice guy but.....

Would you consider the audio edition of Foundation and Earth to be better than the print version?

No - because the reader was so poor.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Foundation and Earth?

Don't want to give it away. I thought Alpha was cool.

What didn’t you like about Larry McKeever’s performance?

He is very monotone and boring. One of the worst read stories I have ever listened to.

Any additional comments?

Please have a quality reader tell the story

Larry McKeever is the worst

Would you try another book from Isaac Asimov and/or Larry McKeever?

I love Isaac Asimov, but Larry McKeever is the worst narrator I have ever heard. Its like having a book read to you by the mac voice. That said, Isaac Asimov is one of my favorite authors.

How could the performance have been better?

When you read the line "'What are you doing here?' she said with surprise," there should be some surprise in your voice. Simple deliveries like that should be pretty basic for a narrator. I don't even know how he got a job reading books when the delivery is so awful.

Reader is terrible

I am only in the first chapter but this may be the worst narrator I have come across. Reminds me of something computer generated. I hope it gets better.