Forward the Foundation

Isaac Asimov is my favourite science-fiction writer and his seven Foundation novels are my favourite science-fiction books. So I was naturally very happy to see this book on Amazon India. “Forward the Foundation” is the last of the more than 500 books that Asimov wrote. It was published posthumously in 1993. (Asimov died in 1992.) The book forms the second volume of the seven that comprise the Foundation series.It tells the story of Hari Seldon’s final years, in which he consolidates his work on psychohistory with the help of collaborators like Yugo Amaryl. But while psychohistory is blooming, Seldon has to watch the sad fading of his life, waning of the empire, and passing of his few friends—Eto Demerzel, Cleon I, and Dors Venabili. My eyes welled up while reading the epilogue, which describes Seldon's passing away. I have read somewhere that the Seldon in this book represents Asimov himself. That makes “Forward the Foundation” particularly poignant for Asimov admirers.I highly recommend the book to everyone! (Just one piece of advice: read the Foundation books in the order in which they were published.)The only reason I give this a four-star rating is that I really hate the quality of this paperback. It looks and feels cheap. The cover is gaudy and the paper is low-grade. (The whole thing reminds me of the Hindi-language paperbacks they used to sell on railway stations!) Volumes 3, 4, and 5 of the Foundation series are available in a beautiful hardback Everyman’s Library edition. Volumes 1, 6, and 7 are available in sober paperback from HarperCollins. Just volume 2 has had the misfortune of remaining stuck in thus ugly packaging.

As Hari Seldon struggles to perfect his revolutionary theory of psychohistory and ensure a place for humanity among the stars, the great Galactic Empire totters on the brink of apocalyptic collapse. Caught in the maelstrom are Seldon and all he holds dear, pawns in the struggle for dominance. Whoever can control Seldon will control psychohistory and with it the future of the Galaxy.Among those seeking to turn psychohistory into the greatest weapon known to man are a populist political demagogue, the weak-willed Emperor Cleon I, and a ruth less militaristic general. In his last act of service to humankind, Seldon must somehow save his life's work from their grasp as he searches for its true heirs a search that begins with his own granddaughter and the dream of a new Foundation.

I had ordered all seven of the Foundation series novels from Amazon. The items arrived in a staggered manner.Amazon's service- I give 1 star to Amazon's methodology of dealing with same series items such as these Foundation series. For customers' benefit, Amazon should have packaged and sold all books from one vendor. This way we could save shipping cost. Some of the books were eligible for free shipping while others were not. Also, I did not get the feeling of reading from 'one set'. (1) Foundation, (2) Foundation's Edge, (3) Second Foundation and (4) Foundation and Earth were from 'Voyager' while (5) Prelude to Foundation, (6) Forward the Foundation and (7) Foundation and Empire were from 'Bantam-Spectra'. The quality of Voyager was below par while Bantam-Spectra were OK.Foundation Series- The series in itself is mind blowing. Independently I give the series 5 stars. You can find that almost all Hollywood science fiction movies have been inspired by ideas originating in these seven books written by Asimov. I could go on and on but any science fiction lover must read the entire series to appreciate that a great depth of thought has gone in producing this masterpiece series. I can't wait to order the 'Robot' series and other standalone novels by Asimov.

So I am reading these books in the order hence this is the second book of the foundation series. Man! what a story it is... and what an ending, you will feel a little sad after reading the book after might not have a night sleep.Asimov is simply one of the best writers I have ever read.

had this book long time back, typically logical, good assimove book

The logic in the scientific details

Great story

Excellent! Only Asimov could do it.

I read this series when I was young & there were only 3 books in it, then a fourth came along I left it at that. I recently watched the TV series & thought that it didn't ring many bells & I mentioned out loud that I might reread them. Someone was listening & I received the entire series as a Chrismas present - now grown to Seven books. I'm not even sure what order you're supposed to read them in as there seem to be sequels to prequels, so I'm just doing it in order of publication as anyone buying them as they came out would have to have done - a marathon akin to reading Sking's burgeoning Dark Tower volumes (don't prejudge it based on the atrocious movie). Asimov was brilliant & way ahead of his time. I've read Many of his novels And short stories & recommend them all - Sha guido G anyone?

This is a great prequel to the original Foundation book. It is definitely the saddest of the series but this gives it a lot more emotion than some others. Great new characters. Read the first prequel first! A lot of characters die and this book can get quite depressing - definitely more "human" than some others.

I do not read Pure Sci Fi books too often mainly Koontz/Herbert/King but, when told to get the Asimov series, I made the leap and found I could not put them down and ended up reading one after the other. These are excellent books and keep you interested all the way through the lifetime of the foundation series. I would recommed these to anyone who likes to read well written and gripping books. I have tried other since but no other author can keep me interested as Asimov did. I suppose it is dependent upon individual tastes and these are my cup of tea. Seller was excellent providing great service and delivery.

Great story and it's quality equal to original Foundation trilogy. Books inbetween like 'Foundation and Earth' were down a bit, but this one is truly the best epilogue that could be imagined. Chronogically it isn't, but there is overwhelming feeling of The Epilogue. Must read for anyone who likes the Foundation series.

I bought this book to complete my series, and what a series, even though poor Asimov was pestered by his publishers to write more more... when he did he did not rush it , he took his time and the quality is still there, obviously if you are interested in this book you have read some of them so carry on. remember pass your books on to the kids get them reading SF if you can too many hours on the IPad and no creative ideas from reading books makes jack a dull boy..Buy it its great