Prelude to Foundation (Foundation, Book 1)

by Isaac Asimov

Hardcover, 1989

Status

Available

Publication

Doubleday (1988), 432 pages

Description

Classic Literature. Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:The first of two prequel novels in Isaac Asimovâ??s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION It is the year 12,020 G.E. and Emperor Cleon I sits uneasily on the Imperial throne of Trantor. Here in the great multidomed capital of the Galactic Empire, forty billion people have created a civilization of unimaginable technological and cultural complexity. Yet Cleon knows there are those who would see him fallâ??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 futureâ??an apocalyptic power to be known forever after as the Fo… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member MorHavok
Prelude to Foundation is a novel following the scholar Hari Seldon. Hari has proven that predicting the future is possible, in a limited way. This becomes the defining point in his life as he is then embroiled in a mess of political maneuvering and intrigue. From his meeting with the Emperor to
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every other political figure head on the planet Trantor, Hari must struggle to protect himself and his new theory.

Prelude is a decent book. It didn’t draw me in over much, and the story is not especially exciting. Not a ton of action takes place, and yet not a ton of philosophizing either. There is a lot of world building though. You do get a good feel for the planet of Trantor, and how complex all of the empire is. There is also some common themes such as classism, or blind faith. It’s interesting to see how these are portrayed in this future world. I also found the idea of losing knowledge of Earth interesting since the empire is so old. The idea of psychohistory is also intriguing. I have had this idea when I was younger, and having it put into print and explained a little bit more in detail helped define it a bit more. I would recommend this book to anyone planning on reading the series, but as a stand alone book there are probably better ones out there.
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LibraryThing member isabelx
Cleon looked frustrated. His lips tightened. 'And your paper, then? Is that what you call it, a paper? - Of what use is it?'
'It was merely a mathematical demonstration. It made a point of interest to mathematicians, but there was no thought in my mind of its being useful in any way.'
'I find that
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disgusting,' said Cleon, angrily.
Seldon shrugged slightly. More than ever, he knew that he should never have given the paper. What would become of him, if the Emperor took it into his head that he had been made to look a fool?

After five books telling the history of the Foundation, Asimov returns to the beginning, as Hari Seldon comes to Trantor to present a paper on psychohistory at a mathematical convention. He soon finds himself in trouble, as the emperor and others are concerned about the possibility that psychohistory could have practical applications.

Actually, I'm surprised that Hari Seldon survived long enough to develop a practical application of his idea. Although he is supposed to be keeping a low profile, he has the usual bull-headed approach of science fiction heroes (as in the some of the other Foundation books and "Shockwave Rider"). His lack of emotional intelligence means that he continually upsets his hosts and rubs them up the wrong way, and he keeps doing stupid things that get him noticed and into enough trouble that he has to be moved to another hiding place.

Although Hari Seldon irritated me a lot, the good thing about Asimov writing a prequel after the rest of the series, is that he could put in all sorts of subtle hints about the things that happen in the other books. And even though I guessed the twist, the ending still came as a surprise, as there was a second part to the twist that hadn't occurred to me at all.
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LibraryThing member john257hopper
This book was Asimov's retrospective account of the early years of Hari Seldon as he groped towards founding his science of psychohistory, with which he later guided the work of the Foundations that he caused to be set up in the original Foundation trilogy in order to bring order to the chaos of
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the declining and disintegrating Galactic Empire. This is a story of Seldon's flight through various sectors of the imperial capital planet Trantor from the mysterious hostile forces pursuing him to gain the secrets of psychohistory that they believe he holds. There are some great characters in here and a good narrative drive. This was Asimov at the height of his SF writing powers during their second wind in the 1980s.
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LibraryThing member StormRaven
Despite being the "first" book of the Foudnation era, this is one of the last books written in the series. It probably wasn't worth the effort. In context - the original Foundation trilogy was a masterful piece of science fiction writing when it was produced: innovate, intersting, and
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thought-provoking. Then, late in his life, Asimov decided to expand on the Foundation trilogy, and in the process, mash it together with his Robot books.

The basic plot line follows Hari Seldon, the man who developed psychohistory. It begins just as Seldon gives a speech about the potential science of psychohistory, which he has only worked out the preliminary foundations of. The Emperor Cleon I is interested, and interviews Seldon, but becomes convinced that psychohistory is nothing more than a theoretical toy. Seldon is then contacted by a journalist named Chetter Huminn who convinces him the Cleon's first minister (and true power in the government) is after Seldon, and Seldon has to hide. Most of the book details Seldon's travels about Trantor with his bodyguard (and later wife), a woman named Dors, as he both tries to work out the fundamentals of psychohistory and evade the first minister. along the way he finds and adopts a boy named Raych, and collaborates with another scientist named Yugo.

In the end, it turns out that Huminn is actually the first minister, and is also actually the robot R. Daneel Olivaw who has been benevolently guiding humanity for thousands of years. The whole of Seldon's time on the run orchestrated by Olivaw so he could work out psychohistory to the point where it would be a useful science. There are some explanations as to why Olivaw thought it necessary to engage in the charade, but they only make him seem more omniscient than before, and sink the series to further depths of silliness. Asimov's writing saves the book from the ridiculously convoluted plot, but that doesn't make the book any better than average. and for a book tied to botht he excellent Foundation trillogy, and the origianl Robot books, average is a disappointment.
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LibraryThing member coffyman
I liked it. I'm on my way to read the entire series.
LibraryThing member MyopicBookworm
The young Hari Seldon is pursued around the subcultures of Trantor by Imperial and other agents keen to exploit the (apparent) potential of psychohistory. The author is revisiting old themes, and although I was happy to turn the pages, it had a slightly stale feel. Obviously the book cannot make
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radical stylistic or scenic moves away from those of earlier decades for which it is a prequel-cum-sequel, but I didn't notice any particularly new or interesting ideas or scenarios at all. Asimov's Trantor may have been exciting in the 1960s, but now it seems a colourless place compared to the kaleidoscopic worlds of late 20th century SF. I guess some people appreciate Asimov's attempt to patch his various books into a single overarching historical sequence. However, for me, he needn't have bothered: he doesn't quite have the master touch when it comes to building worlds and histories on a Tolkienian scale. MB 2-v-2008
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
The official start of the now six books that comprise the foundation series - it is also 8th in the 14 connected books that start with "The Complete Robot" and span through the Empire building, dissolution and final its re-establishment. A future history of the development of mankind over 100000s
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of years.

As a prelude written sometime after the initial works, this book very much relies uponthe reader having some idea of both the preceeding steps and the end of the series. The Foundation trilogy is perhaps one of Isaac Asimov's most famous stories. The basis is that a Galaxy wide empire has crumbled but before it completely dissolved into anarchy and chaos a mathmatician named Hari Seldon developed psycohistory - a means of predicting the agregate behavior of people. He foresaw the anarchy and laid plans to minimise the distruption and bring back the glory days as soon as possible. Of course in the time of the Foundation doing so, his actual life was far in the past and subject to myth.

Prelude to Foundation are excerts from his life, as he began the process of developing pyscohistory. Each chapter is preceded by a short exert of "Encylopedia Galactica" noting what details survived.

Hari presents his inability to make pyscohistory work to the emporer and his refusal to fudge the results to make Cleon look good. A chance encounter then sends Hari exploring the rest of the sectors in Trantor the imperial capitol. Each is beset with its own problems and its own characteristic defects. Hari runs into trouble each time and is moved on to another sector until the unsurprising conclusion is reached.

Asimov is an ideas science fiction writer. His characters are thin, his world building skills almost more so. The people in each sector are extreme contrasting stereotypes, with no redeeming features. there is no angst no confusion no dubious moarl quandries that make the real world exist. However the ideas are very good, and the conclusions based from them can't be faulted.

A light and entertaining edition to the series, worth reading as a fan, but not the ideal entry point - start with Foundation and come back to this later. An obvious note to the differences in writiing ages, the original books are about 1/3 the size of this. I'm note sure the extra words make it better.
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LibraryThing member hskey
I've completely surrendered myself to this series. It's absolutely perfect for me, and I'm so happy to have read it a little bit later in life. As I get older, I start to think of future generations, humanity in general and, hopefully, try be a little less selfish.

As far as sci-fi adventuring
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goes, this is top notch. Asimov's writing got better as he got older, and even though there's little to no action, Hari Seldon and Dors visiting the various regions of Trantor and experiencing new cultures and dangers was fascinating. I can't believe the series is nearly over (I'm undecided if I will read the non-Asimov Foundation books), it will easily be right up there with my favorites when I'm done. Incredible callbacks to previous (future) books, the focus on a small cast, but a large scope feel just added another layer of enjoyment.

Hell, I love how the characters THINK. All the time. And they express their thoughts, often, and will discuss and debate with each other. Sometimes they'll change their minds when presented with a logical conclusion, othertimes they'll remain steadfast. It's that unpredictability, combined with a rational perspective, which endeared me to savor every page.

I may have a new favorite author. I'm not saying this book, or the Robots/Empire/Foundation series, is for everybody; it's got quite a few flaws, and I'm sure somebody will be happy to explain why it's not "good literature", but I couldn't care less. Love this series, loved this book.
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LibraryThing member jdgarner68
Very fun read. This book is no great masterpiece, but is easy and fun to read. It was written as a prequel to Asimov's famous [book:Foundation|29579], which I have yet to read. I generally don't read books this size (200+ pages) unless they are works that are more serious; or, unless they are of my
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favorite genre: historical fiction. However, this book is fun enough that I may change my mind and continue reading the series.
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LibraryThing member gbaucicaut
Amazing, simply amazing. For readers who are not familiar with Asimov, this book may seem a bit long. However, "Prelude to Foundation" is great for science-fiction/"galatical" fans. Two thumbs up!!
LibraryThing member jpsnow
This first part of the Foundation series was written last and was also one of Asimov's last books. He fills out the series with the history of Hari Seldon.
LibraryThing member sgerbic
Reviewed July 1999

Well here is the beginning book for the Foundation part of the series, last year I had decided to take a break from the series. Now I’ve finished the main books and I need to read/reread the robot novels. I really think that Asimov’s favorite part about continuing this series
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was that he got to develop such fun sub-cultures located on Trantor. Asimov spent too much time dewling on Sheldon’s escape from Upperside and who might be after him. The visit to Mycogen was interesting but could see no purpose for Hummin to send him there. The violent escapade to Dahl seemed a lot overdone, and Raych was a poorly done Dicken’s child. Dors and her overprotectness was just too unreal. Only Hummin and Sheldon seemed to be well written. The nutty daughter at the end should have received more space in the book and given less to Raych. The jokes about Wye show Asimov’s personality. I enjoyed learning about the imprisoned emperor, kept outdoors his entire life. The constant babble about psychohistory (which is a dumb name) wore me out. I understood it better before he tired over and over to explain it. The true identity of Hummin was surely a surprise I didn’t expect but should have guessed.
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LibraryThing member odkins
It's been 20 years since I read both the foundation and robot novels. I didn't remember very much from either of them with the exception of the name Hari Seldon and one other character who I won't name so as not to spoil the ending. Having put forward his theory of psycho history, Seldon draws the
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attention of both the emperor and a seemingly rival interest group. Seldon is persuaded to work in the interest of the rivals who send him and a companion to various sectors of the planet Trantor to escape the emperor's clutches. There really isn't much of a story and half-way through I began to wonder where it was all going. The conclusion however, makes it worth wading through the various escapades.

There is always a "sly" quality about Asimov's novels. In Prelude, one of his targets seems to be the specialist /expert (in the person of Seldon) who knows almost nothing about the world beyond his narrow field of specialization. At many points in the story, Seldon's companion-protector offers common sense principles about human society without benefit of the elaborate experimental model Seldon seeks to create.

All in all, you could do worse than spend a few hours with seldon and company on the planet Trantor.
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LibraryThing member papyri
A wonderful prequil to the Foundation Series. Exciting story. One of those books you do not want to put down once you have started reading and are longing for more when you have finished it.
LibraryThing member Jitsusama
A really good read. Light politics, strong character development, action, and a weaving plot line made this book a wonderful page turner. Strangely enough, I was looking for more of a focus on the technology of this world, and instead received more of a social/political commentary on an imaginary
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future. Not that this was a bad thing, just wasn't expected :)
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LibraryThing member mantooth
Favorite in this series regarding psycho history and predicting the course of the galactic empire. This book involves the central character to the books that sets in motion the entire series, however in future books Seldon is less of a focus.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
While written many years later, this is a prequel to the Foundation series. It is longer and a bit more 'complete' than the Foundation books, but very similar in tone, style and quality.
LibraryThing member Britt84
Loved it, great story, gripping, everything you want in a good scifi story. Started off a bit slow, but got better and better.
I really liked the ending, it took me completely by surprise. The funny thing is, I had considered that Demerzel might be a robot, and I had considered that Hummin might be
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a robot, but I never considered they would both be the same person, AND a robot :P
And it's Daneel!!! I love Daneel!
Really really really looking forward to the next part :)
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
A long way from my favourite by "Uncle Isaac", but it does try to fill in the story of Hari Seldon a bit.
LibraryThing member weakley
A much better work! You can tell that this was written very late in his career. It begins to tie together the three series of books by Asimov into a cohesive story.
LibraryThing member JBreedlove
I read sci-fi a lot in jr high, high school & college. Recently I have been gravitating back. My work is technical so an easy read is needed sometimes. I read this after reading Foundation, the second in the series. This made so much more sense. Well written w social critiques reflecting todays
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world. The characters were rich enough and the sectors of Trantor described well if a little over the top in a 50's kind of way. And the ending was a surprise. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Maybe even reading Foundation again.
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LibraryThing member dsoj84
Maybe it was just me, but i was not very happy with the book. I loved the original foundation series and expected a lot from the prequel. The book was written many years after the original series ended and it seems as if something is missing. I kept reading the book and the more i read the more
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disappointed i got. i admit i expected a lot more. however if you like the foundation series then it is must read.
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LibraryThing member palmer73
This is the first book I've read by Asimov, no particular reason why I started picking up this particular series. I'm familiar with I, Robot and the robot laws he devised but after reading this novel I'm finding Asimov to be much more interesting of a read on a different human
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pyschological/political bent. This particular book was written well after the first Foundation which I just recently started reading. It's interesting to see how much easier it is to build upon our own hind-sighted creations when we've had time to think about our lot over time. Based on what I've read with Preludes, it seems Asimov creates a universe that was totally representative of the times he wrote in. I expect more of the same as I continue the series.
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LibraryThing member Ideleeneer
how to recreate a new start from a decadent empire? The story happens in the year 20000 A.C., but it is a very nice analysis of our actual society
LibraryThing member Kaethe
This particular episode in the series doesn't ring any bells. It may be time to start at the beginning and work my way through.

Language

Original language

English

Barcode

9122
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