• Foundation and Empire

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (9,363 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
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    6,654
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

whoa! very well done. but of course thousands have

well written, good story without the flash just intrigue and believable plot to carry through time

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

the 'foundation' of many

here you will find the basic story used by many over the years and most notable in 90s sci-fi and political TV.
The 'twist' phones itself in early but the ride is more about the characters and the world building needed for the next book to be what it is.

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Great Fun And Still Part Of A Great Trilogy

Split into two stories instead of many like the first book, this one feels a lot more streamlined and the Foundation has met two of its greatest foes. One of which was expected, and one that wasn't. 5/5

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good follow-up to a good book

A classic "cornerstone" science fiction read that is one of the greats. Enjoyable listen and am looking forward to the next book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Engaging...

This is a very enjoyable sci-fi listen. It’s perfect for what it’s supposed to be; an interesting plot with an expansive, engaging sci-fi universe. Highly recommend!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Pure Science Fiction

What I love about Isaac Asimov writing is its clean unbias with no hidden agenda. His stories are ageless because his character exise in their world with their issues and their problems. Furthermore their a clear human element. The stories have emotions and thus you become emotionally invested.

Asimov was a theoretical genius and it shape the science of his science fiction.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Almost too much good stuff

This book & series are layered with so many important lessons for behaving strategically, I found myself repeating chapters and taking away new lessons each time. Calling it timeless almost feels like an understatement.
Also, the narration is impeccable.

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  • M
  • 09-26-17

Better

The further I go with this series the better it gets, looking forward to the next book.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A solid addition to the foundation

A perfectly good sequel, though I started to lose a little interest toward the end and wished there had been a bit fewer characters

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great, but not as good as 1st book

This was a good second entry into the series, but the 1st book was better. Would have given a 4.5 if possible. Still recommend the book and the series.

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