Forward the Foundation

By a terrible coincidence, I read this book that talks about mobs acting irrationally when guided by messianic leaders (in the book, the leader is Jo-Jo Joranum) exactly when mobs in Washington, DC stormed Capitol Hill. This alone renders a completely new meaning to Foundation in general and 'Forward' in particular.Anyone who has minimal familiarity with Isaac Asimov's saga knows that Hari Seldon predicts through psychohistory that the Galactic Empire is in a state of decay and decline and that he works to remedy the consequences of a such decay. But it is only here, in 'Forward', that it becomes clearer that Hari Seldon decides to write the Galactic Encyclopedia because he wants to preserve culture and all human knowledge, as he believes those are destroyed when civilization falls apart (pretty much as symbols of democracy at Capitol Hill were damaged by the mob). Maybe Asimov was only echoing something dark that was happening in the early 1990s, but the message is still quite strong to our current reality. It is like Margareth Atwood's 'Handmaid's Tale', published in 1985 and amazingling relevant to this date.While 'Forward' is a much slower book than the best ones in the Foundation series, it is still a very nice and fulfilling closure. Structurally, it is closer to the first 'Foundation', which is not necessarily a good thing, with many jumps in time (from Hari Seldon at 40 with Eto Demerzel, then at 60, and finally at 70), short chapters and a sort of less laborious style, some chapters consisting almost of dialogs only.But 'Forward' sounds all the time more personal and intimate than anything else in the Foundation series, and the fact that the Epilogue is written in first person reinforces that feel. It is Isaac Asimov's farewell, as much as is Hari Seldon's farewell. The whole book deals with the idea of growing old and witnessing the decay of the body and the losses that come with them, and that covers the whole book with a bitter-sour and sad taste, something that I also felt in 'Star Trek Picard' (and I like the Amazon series very much). As Hari Seldon ages and misses his beloved ones, it is impossible not to stop to imagine how Isaac Asimov himself was facing his own elderliness, when "even if he could look forward to some additional decades, the years of his most fruitful breakthroughs were surely behind him." With that as underlying context, it is impossible not to feel attached to the book and forgiving of any flaws it might have.Many argue about the pros and cons of reading the Foundation series in publication order or chronological order (as the events in the two last published books 'Prelude' and 'Forward' occur before those of the first 'Foundation'). I am definitely for publication order.Not that reading the books in chronological order would cause any harm. Asimov did envision that the books might be read in chronological order and very competently managed to write all books so that none of the mysteries and secrets in 'Second', 'Edge' or 'Earth' is taken for granted in 'Prelude' and 'Forward' (in particular, the whole mystery about "Star's End" is carefully preserved in 'Forward'). Moreover, reading 'Forward' first could enrich the understanding of later books, in particular the origins of The Mule in 'Empire' and the references to the Robot Series in 'Edge' and 'Earth'. So the pleasure of reading in chronological order or publication order may work just the same. Indeed, the temptation to start (re)reading the first 'Foundation' after finishing 'Forward' is almost irrestible, which is exactly what I did, and I must confess that I liked the first part of 'Foundation' much more the second time, as the whole description of Trantor seemed so well connected with that in 'Prelude' and 'Forward'.However, there is one experience that only those who read the books in publication order will have: the pleasure of concluding a long journey of seven books by reading the very last words of 'Forward'. As I was advancing the last chapters, that was exactly the way I felt, that I was indeed concluding a journey with Asimov himself (and I would have been very happy already if the book ended in Chapter 33 of Part 4, which is one of the best chapters in the book).That is why I say that nothing compares with the feeling I had when I turned the very last page of the Epilogue of this book and read Asimov's book dedication.I could only feel the tears in my eyes with a silent gratitude.

Kind of sad to read the clearing house of loss. Not a bad tale so far now off to read the first written stories

I enjoyed this continuation of Hari's story. While covering many years, and events, he was a character I could get behind.

It is interesting that a book this powerful was written 30 years ago. This book was evidently copyrighted 1 year after his death.And this was a book I had not read. So I’m starting over and reading in the way the story progresses instead of by dates published or copyrighted.There are a lot of lose ends that I hope are tied up somewhere in the following books that I will read.And for the readers that aren’t familiar with Asimov or the Foundation Series you need to read them, just keep your sense of wonder open and receptive.It is a wonder to me that he was such a great author. And I’ve enjoyed his work for over 50 years.I can’t wait to continue the series.I would also recommend that you read his biography so that you might know him because he was definitely more than an author and he was definitely that!

This is titled Forward the Foundation. A prelude to the Foundation series and written after the five books of the Series. It was billed as Forward the Foundation II so I bought this Kindle edition wondering how I could have missed one. Now I think it may just be the Kindle version of the original, which of course it is not. Prelude to Foundation precedes this indeed. This is Forward the Foundation and follows Prelude in time but at the end in books written. That said, I may need to address the Prime Radiant to determine how this is. Doesn't matter. It's time to read the series all over again. Read themN in order written or in time line order. Its great either way. Wait, could it be? Am I having a Hari Seldon moment?The man did coin the term Robotics after all.

Forward the Foundation is Asimov's sequel to the prequel for his Foundation series. Commencing immediately after Prelude to Foundation where Hari Seldon developed the concept of pyscohistory and then spent his time trying to figure out a way to reduce the concept to practice while staying alive and avoiding everything interested in either getting their hands on psychohisory or trying to kill him, this tale follows Hari throughout his life as he works out the details of the mathematics, while at the same time enjoying a potpourri of odd jobs, including First Minister of the empire. All the setups for the actual Foundation stories are outlined including robots from the pre-Trantorian era, the need for two Foundations, and the origins of the mental evolution for the 2nd Foundation.The novel was released after his death at the age of 72. He must have been feeling his age while writing as a recurring theme after Hari turns 50 is his rumination on his age and the limitations it imposes. He certainly provides closures for all the nuances and subtleties for the rest of the series. He also goes to great lengths to demonstrate the team-centric nature of the discipline. The tale also relates political and social media realities of playing Cassandra.

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?

Really disappointed with this, wanted to add a hardback version to my collection, but this turned out to be a paper back and in not very good condition either. I love this book and the Foundation series, but as I already have several paperback version was looking for something different. I should have guessed by the price but my heart took over from my head. Please stop misleading people.

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.