Prelude to Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov Summary and Reviews

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Book Reviews of Prelude to Foundation (Foundation Novels)

Book Review: An interestng diversion from the traditional Foundation plot
Summary: 5 Stars

Book Review: A superb page-turner
Summary: 5 Stars

Since Prelude was written many years after the original Foundation trilogy, Asimov chose to tie in a few plot elements from the four-book Robot series and the old Empire trilogy. In fact, a major character from the Robot series also shows up here in a marvelous twist at the end of the book! Having recently read both the Robot and Empire series, I feel that Asimov did a wonderful job considering that something like 20,000 years have passed since the time setting of the Robot series. I highly recommend reading the Robot novels before you start Prelude.

Prelude describes "The Flight" period of Seldon's life during which he was hiding from the Emperor Cleon I to prevent psychohistory from falling into the wrong hands (or so he thinks). This book is quite difficult to put down and the 400+ pages flew by for me in less than two weeks, which is unusual given how much time I usually devote to sci-fi. The ending has a couple great surprises in store for you, just make sure you don't peek!

Book Review: The Books, Like Dust...
Summary: 5 Stars

When reading the books in the order that I have, I was able to get an idea of what Seldon's glorified, andsometimes Cannonized legacy became the basis of a new culture and society. In "Foundation" you get a tiny glimpse of Seldon as an old yet proud man...warry that the end is near....and that's it...no more. in the next two books inthe trillogy you get hints of him further, but still...you wonder..who was this man? Was he indeed a man? was he not a figure head for a much larger mind, group, or collective? You are given a sence of his omnipotence, this I think Asimov achieved with litle less than Perfection!
then later In Foundation's Edge you get some answers. Of course Hari Seldon was just a man..and because of this his Psychohostory could not be perfection, he is a man, and human's make mistakes. So if you are or were wondering how a Plan such as his could maintain integrity and not sway (except where the Mule is concerned) and wonder if really the efforts of the Second foundation in it's (in contrast to the population of the galaxy...some 25 million inhabited plannets) small numbers could really keep the plan going...well you get your answer here.
When you then continue into "Foundation and Earth" (which I really consider this to be the same book as the previous, as it follows right after "..Edge") You are suddenly brought back into a much older story..the story of R.Daneel Olivaw. Now if you know your Asimovian history then great if not..you'll be forced to quickly find all the Robot and Empire novels to satisfy yourself (as I did). Now to get to the point. Reading Prelude to Foundation is very IMPORTANT!!! this book is the key to joining the old empire and Earth with the revolutionary times of Hari Seldon...this book is wonderful and perfectly relaized. It gives you the knowledge you need to understand who Hari Seldon is..What Daneel's role in this is and to answer your own personal questions about the future of the Plan. The book itself is Exciting and awe inspiring. You get to imagine Trantor in its Hayday and Daneel and Hari both in their prime (well In Daneel's case he's always Prime.) However I did Enjoy Reading Forward the Foundation Before reading Prelude..only because I liked the fact that I didn't know what Dors realy was and I did not know her fate was imminant...I understood that she was not human...with Asimov's slight hints (these hints..in all his books...should be referred to as "Asimovian Slights.")I still enjoyed the surprises surrounding her.
So to wrap up, I'd say Prelude to Foundation is a key brick or Cinder block in the structure of Asimov's Foundation...which strangly enough has grown into an amazing piece of prophetic architecture!
thanks..and Enjoy!

Book Review: One of the best books I have ever read
Summary: 5 Stars

I liked all the parts in the book especially when Hari Seldon starts his work on predicting the fall of the Galactic Empire. I even liked when all the actions started to happen like almost at the end when Rashelle was about to kill Hari Seldon.

Isaac Asimov is my favorite author. I really enjoyed reading this book that he published.

Book Review: Prelude to Asimov
Summary: 5 Stars

Prelude to Foundation is just one episode in Asimov's sci-fi tapestry woven from several independent series of novels and short stories, all set in the future but with some connecting threads. It comes after the 'Robot' and 'Empire' novels and sets the scene for the later 'Foundation' books.

Its setting is about 20,000 years in the future after mankind has invented hyper-spatial travel and populated the galaxy. We are introduced to Hari Seldon a math professor from a small planet Helicon, who travels to Trantor the galactic capital of the empire to attend the 10-year math conference. There he makes the claim that the future of man might be predicted mathematically, since the net actions of quadrillions of humans become more predictable rather than less so (just like for atoms !) Whilst Hari realises that his theory is correct but impractical, it excites the interest of the emperor's minister Demerzel. The emperor Cleon, is fearful of assassination, so would like the future to predict a long and successful reign.. Soon poor Hari is in over his head as both imperial forces and their enemies seek to use him as a pawn to further their political aims.

With the aid of the benevolent Chetter Hummin, who wants Hari to actually work on his prediction theory called 'Psychohistory' in order to save mankind from an impending collapse of the empire Hari escapes, but only proceeds from one mishap to another. He is encouraged in his work on Psychohistory and also protected by a colleague of Hummin, the adorable red-head Dors Venabili who is a academic historian, has great legs, but can also wield a mean knife...!

The plot is fast moving and varied, with a hint of mystery. As usual with Asimov there is a twist or two in the tail..

I think 'Prelude' is a lot of fun and more enjoyable each time I re-read it (I have gone through Asimov's history of the future three times now!!) I think it is my favorite - it has a feel-good ambience pervading the book and I'm sure Isaac had a lot of fun writing it..no doubt there is a lot of himself (a former biochem asst. professor) in the Seldon character !!

Isaac Asimov has left a staggering legacy and an irreplaceable hole for his multitude of fans. Asimov's work is highly complex and not always accessible, some of his writing is now half a century old. Asimov has done a great job in 'Prelude' in linking up many of his future-based novels. In his preface to Prelude he gives a potted history of his future universe and indicates how his books fit chronologically together. As he says some inconsistencies arose since the books were not originally planned to form one future.. but it kind of evolved that way !!

For newcomers to Asimov I encourage you to go no further and start here, many of you will become hooked for life...

For afficionados of 'Robot'-lore and the 'Empire' this is a continuation of these novels and the action is all set on magnificent Trantor in its heyday and splendor. It will not dissappoint. The master sci-fi story teller was also at his mature best. A partial solution to the question of what ever happened to the spacers of Aurora is also revealed...

For first or second 'Foundationers' this book is a beautifully crafted piece linking the different halves of Asimov's future together, where Seldon is the fulcrum.

I wonder if his works will still be read in 20,000 years and what they will make of it all....