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  • Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

  • Written by: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (667 ratings)

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Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition) cover art

Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

Written by: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

The first novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

The epic saga that inspired the Apple TV+ series Foundation, now streaming. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

For 12,000 years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future - to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire - both scientists and scholars - and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation.

The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best - and worst - that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.

©1982 Isaac Asimov (P)2010 Random House

What listeners say about Foundation (Apple Series Tie-in Edition)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless politics

As much or more of a political commentary than science fiction. Timeless, though. So many of the ‘classics’ from this era have cringeworthy passages, melodrama, and a writing style that takes serious getting used to. Not with Foundation, which has remained relevant, clever, and carries social messages that are decades ahead of its time. A good read for those who value intellect over ignorance, and nuance over force.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting Concept, No Depth

This was highly recommended by at least one friend, so I may be the odd one to dislike this. But I saw no real character development at all. The book is 99% dialogue, and it's between 2 or 3 characters, and all the interactions feel the same, across each set of new characters.
There main plot was one of a grand impending doom, but I never once felt any tension. Even the characters didn't have a sense of tension or doom.
Overall, I just didn't care about anything in the book.
Narration was decent. Clear and Easy to understand, and the occasional change in voice to convey a different character is speaking, but I've heard better. But that could just be that the book didn't provide any emotion to go on.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Foundation ... A Book of it’s Time

I will say that these books are classics. Asimov crafted a story where civilization is more the protagonist than any of the moving human parts that drive the story along. As a modern reader (re-reader really as I read these 30 years ago when I was a teen), it’s uncomfortable to read a book with women reduced to mere mentions of domesticity. One minor female character in the entire book, occupying a couple paragraphs and is not even named, just referenced by her association to her husband. But a book written in 1951, even a work of futuristic fiction, can be mired in the politics and moral restrictions.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Sci Fi, but super annoying narration

I gave Scott Brick 2 stars because there are narrators worse than him. But I could barely finish the book, even though I love the story.

He’s just a bit over the top all the time, and it’s like the effect is cumulative. At the beginning, I hardly noticed it. But, by the end, every over-inflection grated on me. That’s 3 to 5 grates per sentence. To me, his narration comes across as condescending and pretentious.

I’m listening to the last few minutes right now, and his narration just inspired an audible “ugh” from me. I know some ppl love Brick’s performances but I’m definitely NOT one of them.

I’m not sure if I can keep listening to this series, even though I love Asimov.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Header is optional, right?

The story surprisingly relevant even in 2020, but smoking on space ships, really? What a weird times we used to live in :)
Sometimes Mr Brick is too dramatic, and skips in epigraph sections are way too abrupt. Some narrated punctuation would be nicer there.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great voice for one classic an amazing scifi story

I've read it many times, and now I can listen to it. what a great novel.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A Classic (though a little dated)

I wasn't expecting a collection of short stories! That's not a bad thing, it's just not something I would normally read. Due to the format of short stories, characters are given little time to develop, so you're really reading for the plot and themes of the book.

It's a short, easy read, but well crafted. This is a very dialogue heavy book, and every line of dialogue is used perfectly, no wasted fluff, and every sentence either propels the story, or details a character's intentions.

Unfortunately, this book was written and published in 1951 and it shows. Women are referred to as either wives, or people who will spend lots of money on vanity. That's it. In fact, not a single woman is named in this entire book, which if you think about it, is pretty strange to kind of forget to represent half the world's population even once. Oh well, a sign of the times I suppose, but it did stick out to me as a male reader, female readers might just see it as par for the course at this point sadly.

Representation aside, I do recommend this book to any sci-fi reader. Asimov is a staple of the community for a very good reason. His diction is tame, but he gets the point across and it's usually a good one. I've already purchased the sequel, hopefully it's just as good!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A Struggle

Struggled through it all. Question whether there was something written before this that would help.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fantastic read

This book was fantastic I can't wait to read the next book I hope it's just as good as this one was

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It was okay.

The narrator was good, but the story was so long and there was only meaning toward the end with no real catalyst. For such a long listen, it was disappointing. Reminded me of Don Quixote, but less fun/funny.

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1 person found this helpful