Prelude to Foundation

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

This daring story of humanity’s future introduces one of the great masterworks of science fiction: the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, bold ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of people to save civilization from a relentless tide of darkness and violence - beginning with one exceptional man.

It is the year 12,020 GE and Emperor Cleon I sits uneasily on the Imperial throne of Trantor. Here in the great multidomed capital of the Galactic Empire, 40 billion people have created a civilization of unimaginable technological and cultural complexity. Yet Cleon knows there are those who would see him fall - those whom he would destroy if only he could read the future.

Hari Seldon has come to Trantor to deliver his paper on psychohistory, his remarkable theory of prediction. Little does the young Outworld mathematician know that he has already sealed his fate and the fate of humanity. For Hari possesses the prophetic power that makes him the most wanted man in the Empire...the man who holds the key to the future - an apocalyptic power to be known forever after as the Foundation.

Listen to all of Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, including (in chronological order):

Prelude to FoundationForward the FoundationFoundationFoundation and Empire Second FoundationFoundation's EdgeFoundation and Earth

©1988 Isaac Asimov (P)2011 Random House

Great Start to a Great Series

Where does Prelude to Foundation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Easily one of my favourites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Prelude to Foundation?

Parts I can't mention in order to avoid spoiling the book for others who haven't read/listened to this book. I will say there are some moments of surprise that I loved.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have one particular favourite scene but I loved diving into the world of the empire and following Harry and Dors around. The different worlds and sectors made the book exciting and has now lead me to listen to all the books in this (The Foundation) series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Again I don't want to ruin any surprises in the book but I do like the surprises that are in this story and I love the concept of Psychohistory and its role in this story and the series.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to the books in chronological order of the The Foundation series universe and this being the first I listened to really got me interested in the whole series.

This for me was one of the best books in the series and I found subsequent books in this series mixed with some as good as this story and some difficult to stayed interested in.

Overall I love the entire Foundation series and am currently finishing off the last book.

Compelling narration with compelling narrative!

What did you love best about Prelude to Foundation?

The people group studies of Asimov, and at such a young age is cause for much reflection. How different are we all really? In the search for a psychohistory, Seldon, is pondering what makes us human, our fears and desires.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Brick did an excellent job transitioning between grownups like Seldon and Venabili and to the street tough Raych. The discourse between Rashelle and Raych was a work of a top rate narrator!l

Any additional comments?

I only wish that Brick would record, at least make available, all the Foundation series on Audible. Going from Brick to who ever covers the Forward Foundation is just plain painful! Audible help Brick make this happen!

Great story, fluid narration.

Would you consider the audio edition of Prelude to Foundation to be better than the print version?

I never read the print edition; I know, I'm embarrassed to admit it as well, especially since I have always been a Sci-Fi fan. I decided to read/listen to it now, but barely having free time to read a physical book, this audible book was the better option; I could listen to it in the car, at the gym, etc.

What did you like best about this story?

I decided to start the Foundation series in chronological order of the storyline, not the publication date. Asimov himself had once stated in an interview that it might be a better way to go about reading the series. So far, so good! Loved the story and the universe it sets up.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Eto Demerzel, by a landslide. He's essentially the entire empire by himself. And has been so for an unknown number of years!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really. The book was written in the 80-90s, so the "shock value" in it isn't derived from extreme emotional string-pulling, but more from plot twists and their implications. Neither made me laugh or cry out loud.

Any additional comments?

I would strongly suggest reading the Foundation series in their chronological order of the timeline versus the publish date. I'm on book-3 of the series now and while conversing with a friend who had read them by publication date, found that I had a better grasp of the (excuse the pun) foundation of the story, hence found later elements more enjoyable.

The chronological order by story timeline is:

(Start with this book) Prelude to Foundation
Forward the Foundation
Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Foundation's Edge
(End with this book) Foundation and Earth

I have loved Asimov story's for a long time.

listening to this story was better than reading it. I continue to listen to the rest of the series/

What a great book.

A great book and a great narrator. I can't say enough good things about this.

Excellent Book

I am a fan of science fiction and have know of Asimov's Foundation series since highschool. I actually pick him for my bibliogrophy report. A report I neglected and failed. How wrong that was of me, to neglect honoring a man who has achieved more than I may in a lifetime. This was a great book, and I look forward to the rest.

millennia in the making

Brick does a fantastic performance for this book.

The book itself is also fantastic. I personally suggest reading or listening to the robot series before foundation, but the story is captivating either way and there is something to be said for the surprised in store if you're not familiar with the series in general. If you're a fan of science fiction, you cannot go wrong with these books.

a classic I keep returning to again and again and.

Again...I can see the seeds of many of science fiction epics in this series. Asimov was truly visionary.

Throwback to excellent sci-fi

I read the legendary sci fi greats in high school and college. Then as an adult tried to get more into contemporary! sci -fi, fantasy, etc; but the classics have stood the test of time.
Watching “Foundation” on AppleTV got me yearning for the real deal. So I loaded up the whole Foundation series, in chronological order (a first) and, OMG! I began with Prelude
To Foundation. OMG! (Again.). I was transported. Sure a few words skipped but not enough to take away from the beauty of good writing, good story, good execution. It’s Jared Harris’ face I will forever see in my mind’s eye, for every book. Go ahead. Give it a whirl: the whole series, by chronology. Kinda mind bending when listened to according to the time line, IMHO.

Just incredible!

Asimov proofs again what a genius he is. Tantalizing, griping and completely entertaining. This book in his series madee smile many times as he wove his emotions into the writing. Thank Mr Asimov.