Foundation by Isaac Asimov
Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant
Genre: Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults and teenagers
What is This Book About? A human empire rules the galaxy, but a new science known as psychohistory determines, without fail, that the empire is about to collapse, and that humanity is heading into a 30,000-year dark age. Published in 1951, Foundation was originally written as a series of stories chronicling the demise of a star-faring civilization and the few bold people attempting to jump-start a new empire. Initially, the reader will follow a scientist who warns of the empire’s collapse and his desire to establish a galactic encyclopedia to safeguard the empire’s knowledge and technology. However, not everything is as noble as it seems, and a more complex vision emerges to dominate future history. This novel is also the basis for the new TV series Foundation, which will be on AppleTV+.
My Review: This is a good novel if you are interested in the defining classics in space opera or general science fiction. It is also a great way for history buffs to read about a science fiction that follows the “historic” trends of Western civilization. What I like about this novel is that it somewhat parallels with the fall of the Roman Empire, religious authorities filling the power vacuum, and later nation-states and economic forces ruling the day, all on a galactic scale. In conjunction with this, there is the ever-present science fiction techno wizardry like starships and personalized energy shields that truly make it sci-fi. There are many twists and turns as the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of interstellar intrigue while discovering the true nature of Foundation.
Three Words that Describe this Book: Classic, intelligent, space opera
Give This A Try if You Like… Dune; I, Robot; Childhood’s End
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
