Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

So much better than the infantile TV show. Asimov weaves great characters and story arc with deft aplomb. The glaring holes in the tv series' plot and cannon simply don't exist in the book - showing once again that Hollywood rewrites in SciFi are terrible and ruin excellent stories...

Going into this book I had no idea what to expect. It started feeling like a very basic written story. For the man's reputation as a writer it read very simple. The time jumps were a bit jarring in the beginning as well.After the first opening of the vault I realized this was not at all basic or simple. He has created a very intricate puzzle and I can't wait to read the next one.

All I can say, for warm start, is that Isaac Asimov is a genius. Acclaimed Hugo Award winner, he really makes you feel a part of the future, as he proves to be a genius not only in a robot way of thinking, but also in politics, economy, religion, mass manipulation and, of course, in every way that makes a human, human. And I am pretty sure this characteristic of him is really connected to his also great robotics series.Imagine yourself in the future. Now imagine yourself in a further future where you are studying the chronology of the future. Remember your history classes in school? Yeah, that's where he's taking you. Analyzing the Galactic Empire from a distant and omnipotent way of view, he sets a pattern in the development of mankind that repeats itself various and various times, that's why this book could be written set in Middle Age. But it isn't and that's one of the most fascinating things about it.Everything starts when Hari Seldon, a famous psychohistorian - a new science developed by himself based in history, statistics and mathematics - predicts the fall of the Galactic Empire. To save mankind from thousands years of darkness and restart, he suggests setting a new colony at the fringe of the Galaxy - Terminus System - to develop the greatest literacy work of history and regroup all knowledge ever acquired: the Encyclopedia Galactica.Set as a scientific colony and lacking natural resources, the Foundation, as it is called, starts to suffer of politics and diplomatic issues and that's just where all the greatness starts coming. As it's well more developed in technology and science than the rest of Periphery - as they call the region of the galaxy containing the Terminus system - other colonies start trading natural resources, such as gold and iron, for scientific gadgets to control their masses.Based on science, there is created a new religion in which priests are, actually, researchers and technicians. It was Arthur C. Clarke who once said that high level technology is indistinguishable from magic, though it makes perfect sense for this novel, except we are not taking magic in consideration, but religion (although they are equal if you look from a different angle, but this is not to be discussed in this review). To control masses in the Four Kingdoms of Periphery, they sell science. And it works pretty well until there's a crisis, and another, and another. In each of them, those called Seldon Crisis and taken in consideration when the psychohistorian predicted the need of Foundation, he appears and hints a new period of development.But it is not only religion that control masses and it is not only faith that is needed in human race, but also trading, protection, food, gadgets, industry and, of course, a stable economy. Nuclear force moves everything in the future, that's how Asimov puts it and he puts it so well that he really makes us think if isn't it the power we should explore - consider this book was written in the beginning of nuclear power.The book is well-split in five sections: The Psychohistorians, The Encyclopedists, The Mayors, The Traders and The Merchant Princes. In each of those, Asimov explores a deep wound in human civilization, psychology and sociology, based on a few dominating aspects, and shows that it is even easier to overpower an entire society poking only its foundation.It is a masterpiece, well-thought from the beginning to the last word. That's all I have to say.95/100

(See - ''Reaching for Heaven on Earth: The Theological Meaning of Economics'', by Robert H. Nelson. Scholarly synthesis of same idea.)''For it is the chief characteristic of the religion of science that it works, and that such curses as that of Aporat’s are really deadly.'' (131)The 'religion of science' (mathematics) is the key theme. Is/can the future be determined if all possible facts found and correct theory is added? Where does human 'free-will' enter? Is there any freedom from history? (think Marx/Hegel who deny freedom from history). This question is the 'foundation' for these three volumes. Well done!''In their anxiety to cement forever domination over their own people, the kings of the Four Kingdoms accepted the religion of science that made them divine; and that same religion of science was their bridle and saddle, for it placed the life blood of nuclear power in the hands of the priesthood—who took their orders from us, be it noted, and not from you.'' (134)In their 'anxiety for domination' they use 'religion of science'. Remember Asimov produced this work in 1951. I first read this as a teenager fifty years ago. No clue about the religio/political message. Now I find deep insight into the 'foundation' ideas, the premises of the current world.''It is remarkable, Hardin, how the religion of science has grabbed hold. I’ve written an essay on the subject—entirely for my own amusement; it wouldn’t do to have it published. Treating the problem sociologically, it would seem that when the old Empire began to rot at the fringes, it could be considered that science, as science, had failed the outer worlds. To be reaccepted it would have to present itself in another guise—and it has done just that. It works out beautifully.” (95)Asimov even indicated the greater power that would overwhelm international science . . .''The Spiritual Power, while sufficient to ward off attacks of the Temporal, is not sufficient to attack in turn. Because of the invariable growth of the counteracting force known as Regionalism, or Nationalism, the Spiritual Power cannot prevail. I am telling you nothing new, I’m sure.'' (138) (Lenin was deeply disappointed nationalism was chosen over international loyalty.)Wow!I The PsycohistoriansII The EncyclopededistsIII The MayorsIV The TradersV The Merchant PrincesClearly Asimov used European history as template. He combines the Jewish prophetic role (Hari Seldon called a 'prophet'); the lost science (Greek mathematics); medieval scholasticism (catholic worship of Aristotle); and attack of barbarians (Vikings/Vandals/Goths).In fact, Asimov's autobiography explains - ''What really influenced the Foundation was Gibbon's 'Decline and fall of the Roman Empire', which had read and admired as a seventeen year old and which I never ceased to admire.'' (400)All these patters reoccur in this work. Of course, he adjusts for a good story, which it is. Asimov focuses on the life, feelings and situations of sympathetic persons - including old scholars, young women, aggressive men, venal politicians, etc.. Great!

Perhaps I am ignorant or perhaps I need to read this book again, but I don’t know what to think of this story unless this is an anti- war book that proposes capitalism avoids war.