avepythagoras's Full Review: Isaac Asimov - Second Foundation
Second Foundation is the fifth novel in Isaac Asimovˇ¦s classic science-fiction Foundation series. Originally, it was the final novel in the Foundation trilogy, but Asimov penned further novels in the saga later in his life, increasing the total length to seven novels, and changing the central themes to incorporate most of his oeuvre, namely his Robot series and Empire trilogy. This is my fifth review of Asimovˇ¦s Foundation Saga.
Hari Seldon was the greatest mathematician in human history; Hari Seldon found the key to control history. This 'key' was the statistical science known as psychohistory, a powerful mathematical analysis of human society able to predict the vague movements of history, predicting the general outcome of human history, where it is going, and where it will end. And with this science, Hari Seldon predicted the fall of the Galactic Empire and the horrors of a three millennium long Dark Age, wherein majority of human knowledge would be lost, splintering the Galaxy into a disconnected mass of technologically inept worlds. Hari Seldon used this knowledge to create the Foundation, a world devoted to upholding science and technology and human history, keeping it safe in order to rekindle the glorious flames of the Old Empire. This was known as the Seldon Plan. And it was now in jeopardy of complete and utter failure. Humanity was on the verge of loosing itself to the utter blackness of the Galactic night.
Part I: Search by the Mule:
A psycho-mutant known only as 'the Mule' had broken the essential rule of psychohistory: individuals don't matter. The Mule's powers set him apart from humanity, for he could control the emotions and reactions of all seething masses of humanity, and thus he radically altered Seldon's historical predictions. For the Mule had conquered the Foundation, and he was using the Foundation's technology to gradually control all of known space, he was creating his own Empire, slowly bending the Seldon Plan to the point of oblivion.
But there was hope, the Seldon Plan had a contingency, there was a Second Foundation. And they were created to protect the Foundation. They were strong psychics and the true keepers of psychohistory. Only they could protect the galaxy from the base despotism of the Mule. And the Mule was hot on their trail, he knew they existed, he knew of their power and he knew they were the last obstacle standing before his inevitable conquest of the entire galaxy. And the final game of cat and mouse begins; the Mule and the Foundation. But who is the cat and who is the mouse? The final showdown reminded me of the Looney Tunes cartoon where Duck Dodgers and Marvin the Martian are fighting for control of Planet-X, they keep building bigger guns, trying to outgun the other, until one realizes the game is not about who has the biggest gun, but who actually pulls the trigger.
Part II: Search by the Foundation:
Can the Foundation fix the radically decentering blow the Mule dealt the Seldon Plan? As the reign of the Mule ended, for empire could not outlive him, could the Foundation rebuild itself and rise above its own ashes? Could it survive the knowledge that the Second Foundation was its true master, and that History was beyond their control? Can human beings live with the knowledge that their actions are meaningless and beyond their control? Where is the Second Foundation? And can their vise grip on the destiny of humanity be averted? The search begins as a bleak cabal of Foundation scientists seek to confront the Second Foundation and return the Seldon Plan back to Foundation control. But how can one face a power beyond all knowledge? How can one hide from psychics?
In My Opinion...
Isaac Asimov coyly creates a well-thought-out thriller, as the forces of the Mule and the forces of the Foundation seek to find and destroy the Second FoundationˇKbut for radically different reasons: the Mule for galactic dominance, the Foundation for vague hopes of saving the Seldon Plan. But where is the Second Foundation, and can they be found? Can the Seldon Plan survive the blow dealt by the Mule? Is humanity doomed to a barbaric night?
Asimov adroitly pulls this novel through; building a climax around a rather interesting surprise ending, providing the reader with a sense of fulfillment and completeness. This is a very good read, as are all the original Foundation novels. The characterˇ¦s are fairly weak, Asimov just can't pull off convincing three-dimensional characters. But the beauty of the Foundation trilogy is the novels are short enough to allow Asimov to neglect character development and, instead, emphasize the plot development and internal intrigue.
I highly recommend the original trilogy to science-fiction fans of all sorts and even those who are not entirely into the genre. This novel is a classic, a very worthy classic. Highly recommended.
Isaac Asimov s Foundation novels are one of the great masterworks of science fiction. As unsurpassed blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extens...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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