Foundation and Empire
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The second novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series
Led by its founding father, the psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and utilizing science and technology, the Foundation survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Now cleverness and courage may not be enough. For the Empire—the mightiest force in the Galaxy—is even more dangerous in its death throes. Even worse, a mysterious entity called the Mule has appeared with powers beyond anything humanly conceivable. Who—or what—is the Mule? And how is humanity to defend itself against this invulnerable avatar of annihilation?
Filled with nail-biting suspense, nonstop action, and cutting-edge speculation, Foundation and Empire is the story of humanity’s perpetual struggle against the darkness that forever threatens to overwhelm the light—and of how the courage of even a determined few can make all the difference in the universe.
Jeff Lacy –
Astute and intriguing
Upon finishing I am intrigued by this continuation of the Foundation odyssey: the evolving galaxy in barbarism after the defeat of the Foundation and the Empire by a new and innovative nemesis, the Mule the manipulator of individuals’ emotions to the extent he can work through individuals to consume planets. But there is the Second Foundation that Hari Seldon created. Now the Mule is on a desperate quest to locate the Second Foundation and to end the scheme of Seldin’s psychohistory. Vivid writing and keen imagination makes this series a compelling reading experience.
Nicholas Ritter –
The ending is worth it.
Long story short, I had a more difficult time getting into the characters and storyline than ‘Foundation’, but man did it pick up in the second half. It seems the book finally converged on a set of protagonists in the latter half of the book, and crescendoed to a satisfying end.Reading Isaac Asimov’s writing is like eating a lean cut of meat. Sure, I enjoy the occasional juicy, fatty steak, with its meticulously crafted settings and deep character development, but Asimov wastes no time. He’ll stop to add a bit of depth and explanation here and there, but that’s all, and the plot progresses at a blistering pace. It makes sense though. ‘Foundation’ introduced some of the most compelling concepts I have ever read, and this book follows suit. But this is why I ultimately give this book 4 rather than 5 stars. It was not its predecessor.While the book adds more detail to Hari Seldons plan for the Galaxy, it was not nearly as progressive as ‘Foundation’s’ ideas on psychohistory and cultural evolution. Nevertheless, ‘Foundation and Empire’ delivers many new elements and beautifully sets the stage for for the finale, ‘Second Foundation’.It’s amazing how a series published in the ’50s can seem so new to me. So far Asimov’s precise and deliberate writing style combined with a truly unique story has blown me away. I cannot wait to learn how Seldons plan continues in the final book. If you haven’t read ‘Foundation’, you’re missing out. If you have, I wholeheartedly encourage you to continue and power through the first half of ‘Foundation and Empire’. Then, savor the building anticipation for whomever and wherever the Second Foundation is inconspicuously spreading its dominance!
DcLonChi –
30 years on — a great, but different, read
I’m reading the original Foundation trilogy for the 3rd (or maybe 4th?) time, but the first time in at least 20 years. I’ve got a few points to note, in no particular order:1) Old science fiction tells us so much about the past. The things they never thought would change — cigarettes, newspapers, women in the home, microfilm (!) — show us just how prominent our blind spots can be. And the things they didn’t even dream of (most obviously, the internet, but also race and s*xual relations, cell phones, etc.) tell us just how far and how quickly things change.2) Reading it the first (and 2nd) time through, the young ambitious Federation reminded me of the USA — young, resourceful, growing, upstarts. Now, I read it and the dying, corrupt, Empire reminds me of the USA. I’m not sure if this is my getting older (and pessimistic) or whether the times have changed so much since the 40s and 50s. In any case, there’s an optimism in these books (like a lot of old sci-fi) that has long since passed out of (American?) pop culture.3) There’s a funny disconnect between 1 and 2 — and I’m not sure where it is. So much has improved for so many, and yet the future now seems more scary than ever. Part of me reads this as escapist fun, part of me reads it to try to exercise my powers of optimism. (Without starting any arguments about current politics or which apocalyptic future I fear, let me say that I grew up in the Cold War with a very real fear of dying in a nuclear war — the only bright side being that living in DC meant that I’d be incinerated instantly, and not suffer a lingering post-war death. Are any our current fears more likely or more catastrophic than that?)4) There is little emotional depth in the Foundation. We don’t get outsiders or brooding introspection, we learn about the characters through what they do. It reminds me a bit of the Icelandic sagas I just finished reading: lots of who did what, over how many generations — and while there’s little internal monologueing, you see that actions give insight into character. Perhaps it’s our blind spot now to to think that how things feel to you is the most important thing in the world.5) The Mule seems — to my eyes — a portent of 1960’s. Without giving any spoilers, suddenly everyone sees that people’s feelings are far more important and disruptive than any technology. (And the visi sonor seems so close to a depiction of an LSD trip that it makes me wonder what was going on in Asimov’s personal life around this time!)In conclusion, I encourage any old fans to pick up and re-read the series: you’ll get something different out of it than the last time.
Joao –
Correu tudo na perfeição. Simples. Barato. Rápido.
Pedro Pablo Downey Fernandez –
Ok
Alex –
Amazing book! Interesting plot, good storytelling – best of Isaac Asimov!Absolutely recommend!
Amazon Customer –
The binding and printing does justice to this classic.
The Fantasy Review –
SPOILER FREEThe second entry to Isaac Asimov‘s Foundation Trilogy had a slow start but soon picked up. I found that after the introduction of Foundation, the plot of Foundation and Empire was far more concise.I love a good puzzle, and Isaac Asimov delivers more than one. Who is the Mule and what does he want? What is the Second Foundation, where is it, and why is there one there?I won’t go into spoilers in this bit, but I will say that the answers to those questions are not only satisfying but exciting, and they had me tearing through the second half of this science fiction book. Obviously, not all questions are answered, but who doesn’t like to speculate?This was a great sequel – I hope the final entry of the trilogy lives up to the promises given in this book.SPOILER SECTION BELOW“The General”Despite the attack on the Foundation from the Galactic Empire, I found this part of Foundation and Empire to be quite slow. It promises action and we are left with political manoeuvres. Not that I don’t like politically driven plotlines, but that’s not what I was promised!With the Empire calling off its attack, the members of the Foundation work to figure out what they were supposed to do. This does hint at something going wrong with Hari Seldon’s psychohistory, as he makes no mention of this event.“The Mule”This part was incredible and is the main reason anyone who finds the first part difficult to get though should read on.The Mule himself is an interesting villain due to the powers he seems to have, however all he seems to want is power for power’s sake, and that sort of ruins him for me. Perhaps we will see more of him in the third entry that will explain his motivations.The ending with the reveal of the Second Foundation was so good that I couldn’t stop reading. I think it was because I’d forgotten completely about this second Foundation (from the first book), but also it might have been Hari Seldon’s plan all along.Distract the villain with the Foundation to allow the second Foundation to flourish and prepare in time for his attack. I have so many questions and that’s what SF is all about!