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Foundation (Publication Order) #1-7
The Foundation Novels 7-Book Bundle: Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, Foundation and Earth, Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation
The story of our future begins with the Foundation. Named the best series of all time by the Hugo Awards, the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov unquestionably comprise one of the great masterworks of science fiction, unsurpassed for its unique blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building. Now, all seven volumes are together for the first time in this essential eBook
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE
SECOND FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION’S EDGE
FOUNDATION AND EARTH
PRELUDE TO FOUNDATION
FORWARD THE FOUNDATION
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. Only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humanity, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls this sanctuary the Foundation.
But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. And mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing submit to the barbarians and live as slaves—or take a stand for freedom and risk total destruction.
Praise for Isaac Asimov and his Foundation series
“A true polymath, a superb rationalist, an exciting and accessible writer in both fiction and nonfiction, Isaac Asimov was simply a master of all he surveyed.”—Greg Bear
“Asimov served wondrous meals-of-the-mind to a civilization that was starved for clear thinking about the future. To this day, his visions spice our ongoing dinner-table conversation about human destiny.”—David Brin
“Isaac was still in his teens when I met him, a fan of mine before I was a fan of his. Writing for John W. Campbell back in the famous ‘golden age of science fiction,’ he became one of the founders of our field. With the Robot stories and the Foundation stories, he helped to shape science fiction as we know it.”—Jack Williamson
“I grew up on the ABC’s of science fiction—Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke. There’s a reason Asimov’s name comes first, and not just because of the alphabet!”—Janis Ian
“With his fertile imagination, his wit, and his prolific output, Isaac Asimov truly laid the foundation for all future generations of science fiction writers.”—Kevin J. Anderson
“If anything can be said to have been the launch pad for space-age science fiction, it has to be the Foundation trilogy. It’s a classic. And it’s unforgettable.”—Jack McDevitt
“The Foundation series is one of the masterpieces of science fiction. If you’ve never read these novels, then you’re in for a treat, and even if you’ve already read them, then you owe it to yourself to reread them, because they’re still great.”—Allen Steele
“Quite simply, Asimov got me started.”—Liz Williams
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE
SECOND FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION’S EDGE
FOUNDATION AND EARTH
PRELUDE TO FOUNDATION
FORWARD THE FOUNDATION
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. Only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humanity, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls this sanctuary the Foundation.
But soon the fledgling Foundation finds itself at the mercy of corrupt warlords rising in the wake of the receding Empire. And mankind’s last best hope is faced with an agonizing submit to the barbarians and live as slaves—or take a stand for freedom and risk total destruction.
Praise for Isaac Asimov and his Foundation series
“A true polymath, a superb rationalist, an exciting and accessible writer in both fiction and nonfiction, Isaac Asimov was simply a master of all he surveyed.”—Greg Bear
“Asimov served wondrous meals-of-the-mind to a civilization that was starved for clear thinking about the future. To this day, his visions spice our ongoing dinner-table conversation about human destiny.”—David Brin
“Isaac was still in his teens when I met him, a fan of mine before I was a fan of his. Writing for John W. Campbell back in the famous ‘golden age of science fiction,’ he became one of the founders of our field. With the Robot stories and the Foundation stories, he helped to shape science fiction as we know it.”—Jack Williamson
“I grew up on the ABC’s of science fiction—Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke. There’s a reason Asimov’s name comes first, and not just because of the alphabet!”—Janis Ian
“With his fertile imagination, his wit, and his prolific output, Isaac Asimov truly laid the foundation for all future generations of science fiction writers.”—Kevin J. Anderson
“If anything can be said to have been the launch pad for space-age science fiction, it has to be the Foundation trilogy. It’s a classic. And it’s unforgettable.”—Jack McDevitt
“The Foundation series is one of the masterpieces of science fiction. If you’ve never read these novels, then you’re in for a treat, and even if you’ve already read them, then you owe it to yourself to reread them, because they’re still great.”—Allen Steele
“Quite simply, Asimov got me started.”—Liz Williams
2680 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2014
142 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,337 books27.7k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 27, 2016
The first 3 books are classic and certainly merit 5 stars. I have read at least three times already since I first read them I think in junior or high school. The subsequent books are a bit even but still good. I did enjoy the last book as it describes the final years of Hari Seldon. That was also just before Asimov also died and I believe the last book he wrote before dying. The sense of finality and the loneliness of growing older as all others around him leave him feel real and perhaps influenced by Asimov's own similar final years. I would rate his first 3 books 5 stars his next 3 books between 3 and 4 stars and his final book a 4 star. Truly satisfying but it does takes a bit long to finish all. If in a rush I'd recommend reading just the trilogy.
September 11, 2016
Honestly. Just read the original 3. The two sequels were just painful, and the prequels were fun but tedious.
September 15, 2019
This collection has 7 novels, so I will review each one individually.
November 3, 2025
Finally finished this classic opus.
Thankful to have this 7-volume collection all in one.
Technically, I had read the first three volumes in 1970 when I borrowed them and read them over a weekend. But that was kind of a speed read and I didn't retain a whole lot. The last 4 sequels and prequels had not been written then. Glad to have them. They kind of fill in a lot of loose ends, at the possible expense of a little retconning.
The beginning 3 books, particularly the first, suffer from the usual problem of covering a multigenerational period of time: it's hard to get involved with any characters because they're quickly gone and you're onto a later generation. Not as bad as Olaf Stapleton, but you get the idea.
It's clear that Asimov is a much better writer three decades later reading the last 4-volumes. He does a much better job with characterization and follow a story arc for a small set of characters. But his writing style is, at best, good workmanlike story telling. Not immortal prose. Some of the tropes, in fact, verging on juvenile.
Still the series, mainly for its scope and concept, has been immensely influential in the science fiction genre.
It's interesting to compare it with some other recent reading.
It pales beside Frank Herbert's Dune series The Dune Complete Series,6 Books Collection Set,Dune (Anniversary),Dune Messiah,Children of Dune,God Emperor of Dune ,Heretics of Dune,Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert. The writing, world building, characterization, and imagination in Dune is far superior. But it is obvious that Herbert was influenced at least a little by the first Foundation trilogy.
The other recent read I can't help comparing it with is a nonfiction book Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse. It questions the whole premise of bringing back a galactic empire being a good thing. At this point in time, 2025, one is inclined to doubt. Kemp's book has plenty of case studies in history to make us question.
Thankful to have this 7-volume collection all in one.
Technically, I had read the first three volumes in 1970 when I borrowed them and read them over a weekend. But that was kind of a speed read and I didn't retain a whole lot. The last 4 sequels and prequels had not been written then. Glad to have them. They kind of fill in a lot of loose ends, at the possible expense of a little retconning.
The beginning 3 books, particularly the first, suffer from the usual problem of covering a multigenerational period of time: it's hard to get involved with any characters because they're quickly gone and you're onto a later generation. Not as bad as Olaf Stapleton, but you get the idea.
It's clear that Asimov is a much better writer three decades later reading the last 4-volumes. He does a much better job with characterization and follow a story arc for a small set of characters. But his writing style is, at best, good workmanlike story telling. Not immortal prose. Some of the tropes, in fact, verging on juvenile.
Still the series, mainly for its scope and concept, has been immensely influential in the science fiction genre.
It's interesting to compare it with some other recent reading.
It pales beside Frank Herbert's Dune series The Dune Complete Series,6 Books Collection Set,Dune (Anniversary),Dune Messiah,Children of Dune,God Emperor of Dune ,Heretics of Dune,Chapterhouse: Dune by Frank Herbert. The writing, world building, characterization, and imagination in Dune is far superior. But it is obvious that Herbert was influenced at least a little by the first Foundation trilogy.
The other recent read I can't help comparing it with is a nonfiction book Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse. It questions the whole premise of bringing back a galactic empire being a good thing. At this point in time, 2025, one is inclined to doubt. Kemp's book has plenty of case studies in history to make us question.
August 27, 2022
During the covid shutdown I decided to revisit old favorites and maybe discover new ones. I had already read the three original Foundation books as a teenager and loved them . I read one of the add-ons that Asimov wrote later.
It's fascinating to me how much my literary taste has changed, especially since I started writing professionally in 1996. Of course I devoured all the craft books I could, and even wrote one. The unfortunate aspect of this is that I now read old favorites with an extremely critical eye.
The original series is undoubtedly brilliant, vast in its scope and unpredictable in its plot twists. The add-ons, like most unplanned additions to series, are not very good. All seven books are marred by spectacularly clunky writing. In his add-ons, Asimov ambitiously attempted to add aspects of his other books and tie everything up with a neat little bow. The effort comes off as labored and clumsy.
Worst are the last two books, Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth. They star a spectacularly unlovable character, Golan Trevise, and Foundation and Earth especially is almost unbearable because of his rude, angry presence. I finished it only because I wanted to find out what was going to happen.
I guess this series is worth reading if you are deeply into science fiction and want to read the old masters, but if you are used to excellent writing, you will not find it here.
It's fascinating to me how much my literary taste has changed, especially since I started writing professionally in 1996. Of course I devoured all the craft books I could, and even wrote one. The unfortunate aspect of this is that I now read old favorites with an extremely critical eye.
The original series is undoubtedly brilliant, vast in its scope and unpredictable in its plot twists. The add-ons, like most unplanned additions to series, are not very good. All seven books are marred by spectacularly clunky writing. In his add-ons, Asimov ambitiously attempted to add aspects of his other books and tie everything up with a neat little bow. The effort comes off as labored and clumsy.
Worst are the last two books, Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth. They star a spectacularly unlovable character, Golan Trevise, and Foundation and Earth especially is almost unbearable because of his rude, angry presence. I finished it only because I wanted to find out what was going to happen.
I guess this series is worth reading if you are deeply into science fiction and want to read the old masters, but if you are used to excellent writing, you will not find it here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
Foundation and Earth - the final novel in this 7 book series, set over 20,000 years into the future. We finally found the ancient and original planet, earth. We finally found the answer to Giskard’s dying request of Daneel - “find out where the Solarians went.” And wow, what a cliff hanger ending. It seems nicely wrapped up, with Daneel and the young Solarian girl planning to merge their brains to defend the galaxy from any future intruders, and also with Gaia moving forward to become Galaxia. Yet there’s that cliff hanger question in the final paragraph. Are the Solarians even human anymore? Are the aliens already here? (And I still have one remaining mystery. The last time that Hari Seldon saw Daneel, he “had one more important thing to tell Daneel, but he was gone”. I really wanted to know what that thing was …)
December 2, 2017
Guys, this is it! It is probably the "ultimate" fiction series. Read it in the chronological order, not publishing order and you will get the picture.
I am gonna post some very plausible questions for you:
What's gonna happen if humans will not be able to explore outer worlds?
What happens to us if our technology is so advanced than it requires almost no maintenance, it just works by itself?
Will the present facts be distorted by time? How they will look in ... say 500 years? or 5000 years? Will it be accurate?
What happens when an empire becomes too large, that only leading requires another mini-empire of clerks?
These, and many others like this were mind openers for me, after reading this monumental work.
I am gonna post some very plausible questions for you:
What's gonna happen if humans will not be able to explore outer worlds?
What happens to us if our technology is so advanced than it requires almost no maintenance, it just works by itself?
Will the present facts be distorted by time? How they will look in ... say 500 years? or 5000 years? Will it be accurate?
What happens when an empire becomes too large, that only leading requires another mini-empire of clerks?
These, and many others like this were mind openers for me, after reading this monumental work.
April 26, 2021
Chose to read these in order of publication, rather than narrative order. I figured I would not enjoy Asimov's earlier style as much after having read what he wrote later in his career. This book is ordered by publication date. Indeed, his style definitely improved later in his career. The series contains many seminal science fiction tropes, and is considered to be inspirational to many later writers. Asimov's style seems to me to be a bit dry and bombastic at times, and there are many original godfathers of Science Fiction that I consider to be superior writers. Nevertheless, I would consider it to be required reading for any Science Fiction fan.
Read
June 3, 2020Is the prophet always right? Sometimes it's not about its accuracy of future prediction, but how accurate the listeners and executors believe.
Is deception always leading to conflict? It's not on the potential of lying for peace, but the necessity to do it at the moment. Only history can judge.
Does lonely talented always become an autocrat? Sadly many talented we know had escaped the crowd to free from politics, only those who are lonely and willing to lead others' loneliness will become an autocrat.
Is deception always leading to conflict? It's not on the potential of lying for peace, but the necessity to do it at the moment. Only history can judge.
Does lonely talented always become an autocrat? Sadly many talented we know had escaped the crowd to free from politics, only those who are lonely and willing to lead others' loneliness will become an autocrat.
July 14, 2021
I re-read the Foundation series in chronological order because of the upcoming Apple TV series based on it. I have read the series at least once before, maybe twice. I enjoy reading the books because of the expansive scope of Asimov's universe. His work is foundational (heh!) to many other science fiction series. However, his misogyny and rigid gender ideas are troubling. Read with caution.
March 10, 2022
Where to start, I love Asimov’s scientific fantasies, his no nonsense style, his logical constructs, his creativity and ability to make it all seem real. I read almost all his books and selected this bundle to represent his work. Many interesting concepts for all to contemplate.
April 5, 2018
Epic in proportions and excellent thought process. Specially the 3 original ones
June 7, 2022
Get the bundle. Read them all. Best reading for all. Not just sci fi fans.
Read
January 31, 2023"He shames me for being what I am without fear of loss, when he is what he is without hope of gain." (166), Bliss on Pel
July 24, 2023
基地系列最出彩的主角还是哈里谢顿，虽然最后还是把他推下神坛了。。不得不说中间三部的谢顿历险记单独独立出来也是非常好看的故事，除此之外其他人物与故事都��以基地与谢顿预言为背景展开的，脱离不开。尤其最后两部的第一主角小崔，人物感好弱，完全就是一个推动情节的棋子而已，还不如裴大叔更有人格魅力。
November 5, 2025
前三本还行。阿西莫夫太啰嗦了。
June 6, 2023
The first three are one of my favorite trilogies of all time. The last three take a different turn, and it’s obvious that they were written in a different time period than the first three. They are still interesting, and if you are a big fan of Asimov, they are certainly worth reading in context of his other books.
The strength of the first three novels warrants a five star review in my mind.
The strength of the first three novels warrants a five star review in my mind.
September 14, 2025
Hands down one of the best Scientific novels ever. This was my first contact with Azimov and for me now I have the need to read anything that he ever wrote
December 4, 2015
For the time, fascinating and forward-facing sci-fi of epic proportions. For today... many parts are more than a little dated, but overall I still found the Foundation series to be engaging, interesting, and entertaining.
June 27, 2016
These are classic for good reason. It had been 30 years since I read the first three books. What a delight to read the series altogether. They are a good read.
May 3, 2019
পুরনো অতীব প্রিয় সমগ্র, ধুলোয় মুড়িয়ে গেছে। ফিরে গেলে স্কুলের সেই বার্ষিক পরীক্ষা পরবর্তী পৌষের রোদমাখা দিনগুলো মেলে ধরে— গুঞ্জন ভেসে আসে, স্বপ্ন বুনতে শেখায়।
November 18, 2019
好看得我目瞪口呆，还要再仔细看看。
October 21, 2020
除了献上膝盖，还能说什么呢？七十年过去了，很多科幻设定仍不过时。机器人三大定律，还在被各种科幻作品沿用。不知道该说阿西莫夫太厉害了，还是现代人退化了。
October 18, 2021
七本书，断断续续看了近三个月，像是完成了某一重大任务，看完如释重负。总的来讲基地系列还是值得一读的，虽然部分内容略显拖沓，但每每总在我即将瞌睡之时，会有一些意想不到的翻转出现。在读基地时难免也会将其与三体进行比较，毫无疑问我个人会更喜欢三体，但又想到基地系列诞生的年代以及作者创作基地时横跨了49年这样的事实，便又觉得基地有其独特的魅力。
March 5, 2025
These are some of my favorite scifi books. I've read the series many times.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews