(5)
Solid Science Fiction
The second book in the Foundation series continues the narrative of the first; it chronicles the defeat of the decaying Galactic Empire by the Foundation, and its subsequent defeat by the mutant intelligence that is the Mule. Asimov's books are an almost perfect blend of suspense, action, dialogue, character-building, world-building, narrative, and plot. He knows how to keep the pages turning. Even the less interesting half of the book (the first-half) is still enjoyable - it's just that the second part is so much more interesting; the twist at the end is especially something to be savored. Like all his books, the joy comes from not just the narrative itself, but the situations that Asimov places his characters in, and how they ingeniously improvise solutions to their dilemmas. The Foundation series is, irrefutably, classic science fiction, and it makes one wonder why Hollywood hasn't taken these literary gems and processed them into something less fine and lacking luster.
One minor grievance; some phrases seem to reappear in multiple books of the series. Asimov seems particularly fond of the adjective "sardonically" - but this can scarcely be deemed a flaw, just something that one might notice.
(5)
The Best of The Classic Foundation Trilogy
Isaac Asimov considered his work that eventually became the Foundation and Empire book of The Foundation Trilogy to be his best, due to his introduction of the misunderstood, mutant conqueror: "The Mule." Given Asimov's personal stamp of approval, for that reason alone, this book is well worth devouring. Published originally in the 1940s by the magazine "Astounding," this trilogy eventually won the Hugo Award for Best All-time Series ever. It even beat out Lord of the Rings, although I think evaluating two such different series in dissimilar genres is like comparing apples to oranges.
Asimov's imagining of a future, immense and extremely technologically advanced galactic empire (based on the Roman empire) that is on the verge of falling back into barbarism is indeed astounding. Among other fantastic characters in this series is Hari Seldon, the Empire's greatest intellectual, who sets about to reduce the period of barbarism from 10,000 years to 1,000. But unfortunately, Seldon's mathematics-based science called "psychohistory," whereby he can predict group human actions in the future, was unable to account for a mutant with vast mind control powers; the previously mentioned character who mysteriously calls himself The Mule.
Foundation and Empire tracks The Mule as he conquers planet after planet and the efforts to stop him and make sure that Hari Seldon's Plan for the future is maintained. One aspect that sets this book apart from a lot of science fiction is a strong and compelling female character, Bayta, who plays a critical role in combating The Mule. This is especially surprising considering that this work was written in the 1940s. I will leave it at that so as not to reveal not one, but two fantastic plot twists at the end of the book. Foundation and Empire is perhaps the best of a truly classic sci-fi trilogy.
(5)
Two Grudge Matches For the Price of One
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
When I wrote the review for the first book in this series my review was number 336, this time I'm number 90, which probably means that most reviewers said what they had to say about the trilogy in their review of the first book. This is ironic considering this second book is where the real fun begins.
I'm assuming here that you read Foundation, I'm HOPING you even liked it. If you did then you will probably notice that there are only two stories in this book as opposed to the five in the previous one. Don't let the lack of quantity bother you though, These stories are longer for the simple reason that they need to be.
For me personally, there was always something that bothered me about the premise of this series. Simply put, I didn't like the fact that humanity is reduced to mathematics. That's TOO simple though, because I happen to think that if you try hard enough, you CAN reduce (or perhaps distill is a better word) humankind down to mathematics, but the Seldon plan makes no allowance for the individual.
At least, that's what I thought after reading Foundation. As it turns out, these two stories deal with just that theme. Not only that, but they seem to state opposite views on the subject.
The first part of the book finds the Foundation taking on the remains of the Great Galactic Empire. The heroes of this part are, as usual, simply the mouthpieces for the various viewpoints and have little personality of their own. They run about and try to save the Foundation with some daring do (but it's Asimov so the said daring do mostly involves people arguing with each other about stuff) while the Foundation calmly trounces the Empire and renders their whole storyline moot.
Here, the group wins out while the individual is rendered completely impotent while the group kicks butt. So, group 1, individual 0
Then comes the second (and significantly longer) story: The Mule. The Mule is notable for having the first attempt at creating characters that are in any way interesting. For the most part I personally don't think he succeeds, but as I said in my review for the first book, I don't read Foundation for that reason so there's no great loss there.
The Mule is a psychic who comes out of nowhere and crushes the Seldon Plan to dust! Since the plan cannot take individuals into account, a weird mutant can do more damage than the old Empire could do. Here, the individual rules and the mighty Foundation is brought to its knees.
So, group 1, individual 1. We'll have to wait for the next book to see who comes out on top.
As much as I love this classic work, the ideas behind it seem muddled and somewhat contradictory. I would imagine this came from the fact that these were written as discrete short stories and not as a cohesive whole.
Despite these criticisms however, this is still very readable if you liked the first book and I'm sure you can find some criticisms of your own in here. Also, keep in mind that there is another Foundation out there... "At Star's End"
So let's head there shall we?
Product Description
The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are one of the great masterworks of science fiction. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of men and women to preserve humanity’s light against an inexorable tide of darkness and violence.
Led by its founding father, the great psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and taking advantage of its superior science and technology, the Foundation has survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Yet now it must face the Empire—still the mightiest force in the Galaxy even in its death throes. When an ambitious general determined to restore the Empire’s glory turns the vast Imperial fleet toward the Foundation, the only hope for the small planet of scholars and scientists lies in the prophecies of Hari Seldon.
But not even Hari Seldon could have predicted the birth of the extraordinary creature called The Mule—a mutant intelligence with a power greater than a dozen battle fleets…a power that can turn the strongest-willed human into an obedient slave.
Download Description
Get the entire Foundation Series for $13.47.
The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are one of the great masterworks of science fiction. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of men and women to preserve humanity's light against an inexorable tide of darkness and violence.
Led by its founding father, the great psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and taking advantage of its superior science and technology, the Foundation has survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Yet now it must face the Empire—still the mightiest force in the Galaxy even in its death throes. When an ambitious general determined to restore the Empire's glory turns the vast Imperial fleet toward the Foundation, the only hope for the small planet of scholars and scientists lies in the prophecies of Hari Seldon.
But not even Hari Seldon could have predicted the birth of the extraordinary creature called The Mule—a mutant intelligence with a power greater than a dozen battle fleets... a power that can turn the strongest-willed human into an obedient slave.
(4.5)
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