"The Foundation Trilogy" by Isaac Asimov - Book Review
Summary
"Foundation begins a new chapter in the story of man's future. As the Old Empire crumbles into barbarism throughout the million worlds of the galaxy, Hari Seldon and his band of psychologists must create a new entity, the Foundation-dedicated to art, science, and technology-as the beginning of a new empire.
Foundation and Empire describes the mighty struggle for power amid the chaos of the stars in which man stands at the threshold of a new enlightened life which could easily be destroyed by the old forces of barbarism.
Second Foundation follows the Seldon Plan after the First Empire's defeat and describes its greatest threat-a dangerous mutant strain gone wild, which produces a mind capable of bending men's wills, directing their thoughts, reshaping their desires, and destroying the universe."
Review
As I mentioned previously on this website, I am a big sci-fi fan, and "Foundation" is one of the greatest classics of the genre. A few years ago, I attempted to read the original trilogy with a friend in preparation for the Apple TV+ show, but we didn’t finish it. This year, I decided to revisit the series after reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", which inspired Asimov's work about the fall of the Galactic Empire.
I really enjoyed the quick pace of the narrative. Asimov has a smooth writing style that provides philosophical insights at key moments. The story spans over 400 years, so you don’t develop a deep attachment to any one character, as it presents a collection of stories set in the same universe. However, the currents of history and the inevitability of decay resonate throughout the book, while also inspiring awe at the grandiosity of certain human creations, like Trantor.
My only complaint is that, as Asimov himself noted, the original trilogy does not fully conclude the story. Additional books were published later, and I may consider reading them in the future.
Key Takeaways
- A grandiose sci-fi narrative that offers profound philosophical insights into the force of history.
- Brilliant lessons on the inevitability of decay and the passage of time.
- Awe-inspiring sci-fi creations, including the magnificent capital of the Empire, Trantor.
Who Should Read This
Any science fiction and history fan who appreciates the philosophical force of time and enjoys immersing themselves in fantastic worlds.
Favourite Quotes
"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety."
"(...) but since philosophy seemed always to lead Captain Pritcher to the conclusion that even in that holy interest, society is much more easily soothed than one's own conscience – he discouraged philosophy."
"It is the invariable lesson to humanity that distance in time, and in space as well, lends focus. It is not recorded, incidentally, that the lesson has ever been permanently learned."
"Down– down– the results can be followed; and all the suffering that humanity ever knew can be traced to the one fact that no man in the history of the Galaxy, until Hari Seldon, and very few men thereafter, could really understand one another. Every human being lived behind an impenetrable wall of choking mist within which no other but he existed. Occasionally there were the dim signals from deep within the cavern in which another man was located-so that each might grope toward the other. Yet because they did not know one another, and could not understand one another, and dared not trust one another, and felt from infancy the terrors and insecurity of that ultimate isolation – there was the hunted fear of man for man, the savage rapacity of man toward man."
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)