• Prelude to Foundation

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,889 ratings)

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Prelude to Foundation  By  cover art

Prelude to Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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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

What listeners say about Prelude to Foundation

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Asimov & Brick: a BRILLIANT combination!

And it has been a *most* satisfying listen to reconnect to one of the greatest series written!

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Scott Brick reads Isaac Asimov

My favorite sci-fi author, read by my favorite audiobook reader (he also read Atlas Shrugged). I think it works best if you read the trilogy first and then the prequels, but that may be a matter of taste. Either way, I highly recommend this and the other Foundation books.

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Just amazing! Mind blown.

What an amazingly written book. And before it’s time. Absolutely loved the in depth debating between all the characters. It allowed you to really get an idea of each of theirs personality’s. There are many authors that try to explain the surroundings or characters and fail. It makes you feel more of a description or blueprint. But not Asimov. He did it beautifully. He helped you create the world around you and dive. In to the next.

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It lives up to its reputation

I've heard so much about this book. I'm very happy to have listened to it:) scott brick did an amazing job!! My dad and uncles have praised both isaac asimov's imagination and writing abilities, and the book did not let me down. I saw the 1st twist but not the following ones. this book can stand alone, but I'm happy there are sequels. one thing that threw me off was the introductions to new chapters... the encyclopedia excerpts. idk if I should call them forshadowings or past records, but who are they for? i cant wait to start the next one!

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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!

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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

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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.

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  • Ed
  • 06-22-23

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.

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This book is good.

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

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Just amazing!

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

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