avepythagoras's Full Review: Isaac Asimov - Foundation: The Psychohistorians
Asimov’s Foundation series was given a Hugo award for Greatest Science-Fiction/Fantasy Series of all time back 1966. It was awarded over Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings and was too premature to include Herbert’s Dune series or Card’s Ender saga. And while Asimov was very important in the development of Science-fiction as a respectable genre of fiction, he cannot claim the moniker of greatest science-fiction writer, nor can the Foundation series earnestly compare to the brilliance of the aforementioned alternatives. That aside, the Foundation series is important for science-fiction and has had a profound influence upon the works of the later, more contemporary, sci-fi writers. And that is why I have taken the time to read this series in its fullest, finishing and reviewing it in its entirety.
Foundation the novel, was the first written by Asimov, and began a cycle that would encompass his entire oeuvre. The Galactic Empire was slowly crumbling and as the massive infrastructure began to topple, one mathematician, Hari Seldon, would stand firm, and provide a solution: create a warming light upon which the glorious flame of the Empire would rekindle. That light was the Foundation. Seldon built the future with psychohistory, a revolutionary system of mathematics able to divine the nebulous movements of the future, predicting the general outcome of history. Thus the Foundation was created: a planet of scientists determined to consolidate all human knowledge into a great encyclopedia, in hopes that the future will turn to them for the knowledge to rebuild the Empire.
Foundation is a collection of stories concerning the early development of the Foundation, from its inception on the resource-poor planet of Terminus and, as the Empire’s power slowly crumbled, to its eventual growth and dominance over the outer periphery. The light of science burned brightly upon the surface of Terminus, while the kingdoms of the Periphery descended into the utter barbarism of a technological Dark Age. As science is lost, the Foundation uses its knowledge to control the petty kingdoms via a clever blend of science and religion. A priestly technocratic elite rises to control the development and dispensation of technology and the Foundation begins its slow dance with history, gaining power through its direct control of science and technology. In a galaxy slowly devolving into primitive fiefdoms, where nuclear power is lost and societies are given over to coal and fossil fuels, the Foundation turns its firm grasp of nuclear physics into a strong religious imperative. And thus it gains control of the galaxy's vital resources. And with its growth as a political power, the Foundation turns away from its original intent and becomes the center for trade in nuclear technology, science and engineering throughout the Periphery of the Galaxy. All the while, the subtle hands of Hari Seldon’s plan begin to unfold. Will the predictions of psychohistory prevail? Or will humanity descend into a bleak and unforgiving nightmare of ignorance and unwonted superstitions, where the knowledge of countless ages is lost completely and utterly and need be regained?
The nature of this first Foundation novel made it easy for Asimov, the collection of stories are short, and thus he need not develop any of his characters. Thus, my original problem with Asimov, his notoriously immature and underdeveloped characters, can be forgiven. Asimov was able to write a powerful first Foundation novel, setting the stage for the further development of Seldon’s mythical idealism. The plot is very murky at times, and because the stories are not drawn out like a normal full length novel, it becomes difficult to see where all the pieces fit together. There are massive chronological jumps and they seem to make little sense, requiring the reader to piece certain connections together without much help from the novel itself. Because of this, I felt Asimov forced a few of the climaxes. And after reading them, you feel as if they were a little too contrived, as if the Foundation had it a little too easy. The danger is not too dangerous, everything seems to be under control. Even in the most dire moments, the reader is given an overly optimistic seem of well-being. The all-powerful hand of Seldon is seen guiding the Foundation through it turbulent upbringing. Thus, I was a little fatalistic, it was hard to care, there was little sense of mystery or dread. But, I feel this is how Asimov wanted it, Seldon had foreseen the future, and has provided its forecast. Kindly, we are able to prepare for the weather. But as the future unfolds, the Foundation will face powers the likes of which Seldon himself could not prepare...will psychohistory's predictions become fulfilled? Will the Foundation survive long enough to rebuild the Empire and restore humanity to its rightful destiny?
I recommend this book; it is a classic within the genre of science-fiction and therefore a must for any reasonable sci-fi fan. While not the best book in the series, it is a strong foundation—pun intended—for the later novels. It provides an adequate early history for the Foundation and thus gave Asimov a substantially diverse palate upon which he painted the later books.
There is some debate as whether to start reading the Foundation series with Foundation or begin with Prelude to Foundation. Personally, I would suggest keeping it in chronological order, but I warn you the prequels leading up to Foundation are not as good. So, if you have plenty of time to spend reading, start with Prelude and work your way through, otherwise, just read the original trilogy: Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation and leave the others alone.
For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Sheldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psych...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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