Forward the Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Here, from a grand master of science fiction, is the long-awaited final novel of the greatest science-fiction series ever told. Completed just before his death, Forward the Foundation is the crowning achievement of a great writer’s life, a stirring testament to the creative genius of Isaac Asimov.

As Hari Seldon struggles to perfect his revolutionary theory of psychohistory and ensure a place for humanity among the stars, the great Galactic Empire totters on the brink of apocalyptic collapse. Caught in the maelstrom are Seldon and all he holds dear, pawns in the struggle for dominance. Whoever can control Seldon will control psychohistory - and with it the future of the galaxy.

Among those seeking to turn psychohistory into the greatest weapon known to man are a populist political demagogue, the weak-willed Emperor Cleon I, and a ruthless militaristic general. In his last act of service to humankind, Hari Seldon must somehow save his life’s work from their grasp as he searches for its true heirs - a search that begins with his own granddaughter and the dream of a new 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

©1993 Nightfall, Inc (P)2011 Random House Audio

Narration is really bad

The narrator (Larry McKeever) is one of the worst I've encountered on Audible. My son happened to hear this book while I was exercising, and he joked by saying the guy was really going for a robot sound. But that's how Larry narrates nearly the entire book, with precious little bits of feeling/passion infusing his work with life. Thankfully Scott Brick has the narrative reigns again until the last chronological book in the series, where oddly enough Larry re-emerges to narrate again (!?). I'm sure Larry's a nice dude, but man his narration is really bad...look at his other narration reviews to see what I mean.

Worst reader ever. How did this happen?

Mechanical, monotone, no characterization. How could this happen with an Asimov book?
Cant wait for the re-release.

I ❤️ Isaac Asimov’s Books!

The only thing I didn’t like about this book is the narrator. I much preferred Scott Brick.

As for the story itself, I never tire of reading any of Asimov’s science fiction.

Forward the Foundation

The novel suffers the fate of many prequels - sections of the plot are forced or contrived to fit with the canon established in the earlier written stories. The original Foundation trilogy is a sci-fi Masterpiece. The prequels and sequels are "filler", and, in my view, do not add much to the story. Still, I rated the novel 3/5 because, hey, it's Asimov - the Legend in sci-fi.

Story was great….performance was hardly bearable

Why would anyone choose McKeever?? Not one acting bone in his body.
It’s a shame to have listened to the entire wonderful series and end it in frustration !
I will always make sure that McKeever is not performing before purchasing any book in the future.

Great book TERRIBLE narration

this has to be one of the worst narrators ever. I often think it is a robot reading the book. no intonation, all characters have the same voice, tone and cadence. I love this book, but the narrator is awful

Great book, horrible performance

Great book, but the performance is about the crappiest reading I have ever heard in any audiobook.

The narrator is HORRIBLE!!!

This title needs to be redone by Scott Brick. He did a wonderful job with the series.

This narrator sounds like a robot with ZERO emotion. sounds like a computer reading. NO entertainment value.

Captivated by the story but...

What did you love best about Forward the Foundation?

Sheldon's continued contemplation on psychohistory is compelling to me as a reader who sees a larger meta narrative at work here. Sci-fi is as much about us now as it is about a time in the distant future.

What other book might you compare Forward the Foundation to and why?

As far as comparison, I'm not sure. I got interested in Asimov by way of Neal Stephenson. Funny though, Stephenson's books are like whole series packed into one novel. Seriously long reads. Anathem reminded me a bit of Foundation because of its questions of humanity by a solitary "scholar" type figure.

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

So funny that Audible's suggestion prompt is "what DIDN'T you like". McKeever's unfortunately presents the narrative with long breathless pauses which give the effect of a non-performance to the 'performance'. I suggest that he change recording techniques to allow more inflection to come through the mic; perhaps less compression or a wider gate setting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Unfortunately, no, due to the narration.

Any additional comments?

I recommend that Audible make Brick's narration available for this book if he has done it before.

Why change readers?

I love this series and hadn't read it since high school. When I started a job with a long commute I thought it was a great chance to reacquaint myself with this wonderful series! I started with the prequels, written by Asimov after the original series, and was enthralled all over again! Imagine my shock as I started Forward the Foundation with a completely different reader... oh well,I thought. I can get used to a new voice. but sadly I was wrong. The reading is so monotone and lifeless it was a struggle to enjoy the story. I hate to sound harsh against McKeever but it is not merely the comparison to the clearly superior reading of Brick. McKeever's reading is so poor that it is at times difficult to follow the grammar and structure in order to get the context of the sentence,if that makes sense. I don't know how else to explain it. I am very sad that the last book of the series, Foundation and Earth,will end with McKeever's reading. Maybe I'll just read the last book...