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  • Forward the Foundation

  • Written by: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Larry McKeever
  • Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (96 ratings)

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Forward the Foundation cover art

Forward the Foundation

Written by: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Larry McKeever
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Publisher's Summary

Here, from a grand master of science fiction, is the long-awaited final novel of the greatest science-fiction series ever told. Completed just before his death, Forward the Foundation is the crowning achievement of a great writer’s life, a stirring testament to the creative genius of Isaac Asimov.

As Hari Seldon struggles to perfect his revolutionary theory of psychohistory and ensure a place for humanity among the stars, the great Galactic Empire totters on the brink of apocalyptic collapse. Caught in the maelstrom are Seldon and all he holds dear, pawns in the struggle for dominance. Whoever can control Seldon will control psychohistory - and with it the future of the galaxy.

Among those seeking to turn psychohistory into the greatest weapon known to man are a populist political demagogue, the weak-willed Emperor Cleon I, and a ruthless militaristic general. In his last act of service to humankind, Hari Seldon must somehow save his life’s work from their grasp as he searches for its true heirs - a search that begins with his own granddaughter and the dream of a new Foundation. 

©1993 Nightfall, Inc (P)2011 Random House Audio

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What listeners say about Forward the Foundation

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

Lugubrious narration improved

Overall the story was well written and interesting. The narration on the other hand very ponderous and unexciting. Luckily I discovered early on that if I turned the speed up to 1.4x it improved the narration immensely and the characters were easier to distinguish. Hope this helps anyone who listens to this book.

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3 people found this helpful

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

sounds like it's being read by a computer

it was really difficult to even get through the first chapter. The narrator is monotone and there is a lack of continuation in background noise when he speaks. It sounds disjointed

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2 people found this helpful

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

Great book, monotonous performance.

Great book but the reader's performance was really monotonous. At times I struggled to keep listening.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Two Pearls:

1. Listen to this AFTER 'Foundation'/'Foundation and Empire'/'Second Foundation'/'Foundation's Edge'/'Foundation and Earth'
2. Set playback speed at 1.25X

This book is less an entry in the 'Foundation' series than it is a SciFi-flavored Drama set in the "Foundation" universe. In fact, I was disappointed with the character development mandate that Isaac Asimov undertook (Hari Seldon's academic career, political appointments, marriage, and fatherhood considerations actually kind of ruin the character for me - he's intentionally enigmatic in the first few books, imo). Seldon's protection/encouragement by metagalactic forces further weakens the character and makes little sense unless you've read Books "6" & "7" (I almost wish that Asimov hadn't written this book).
Going on with the series *after* reading 'Forward The Foundation'  would detract from the appropriate focus on the speculative aspects of Asimov's masterpiece (thus, my recommendation to dig in to the "Main Course" before consuming this book. Save it for "Dessert").

Likewise disappointing, Larry McKeever's performance of the book is criminally subpar. Increasing playback speed is actually REQUIRED to overcome McKeever's robotic tone and oddly stochastic reading cadence on this project.

This recording merits a mere 5.5 stars out of 10. It's worth a listen for fans of quality Science Fiction.. but references themes (robots, for example) that don't even appear in the initial Foundation Trilogy. This book could easily distract you from enjoying the OG 1950s entries if you read it first.

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

Narrated by Demerzel???

Demerzel’s barely in this because this is most likely being read by Demerzel made obvious by the robotic voice

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

Great book, not great reader

The book is great, there’s not really much more to say about it than that. But the performer they got to read it sounded like he was reading a technical manual that he was bored with rather than a novel.

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

Love the story, voice actor no great

Yeah so obviously the story is amazing, but the voice actor has this really deep robotic voice. However, if you really want to hear the book it’s still worth it

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

I found the pace of the narration to be to slow

Diction and enunciation were superb and it was easy to understand WHO was speaking. The pace of narration however was slow too slow in fact for me to fully enjoy. When the story was about Hari (or about something) the pace was good. But the pace of conversation between characters seemed too slow or too measured in tone. I may go back to it but stopped with 15 hrs still to go.

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

Listened only because it’s part of the order

This is by far one of the worst narrations I’ve ever heard…
A great story by a master read in one of the most uninspiring and uninteresting manners.

I should have just read the book for this one.
If I see this narrators name on anything, I’ll just read the book instead.

I’ve heard AI’s with better meter…wow…

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

looking forward to tye next one

Forward the Foundation. 

     The third book in the foundation series by Isaac Asimov. 

     Here we go backwards into the life of Harry Selden. The founder of both of the foundation's. 

     Two organizations built to help humanity. One to help guide people out of chaos and terminal. The other to help guide humanity afterwards. 

      I very much enjoy Asimov's works. There is truth in his writings on a social level. The ability to predict people as a massive body. To find order in the madness that is life. 

     We can see how nearly impossible this task is. How the action of one person's decision can affect an empire and how life still moves along. 

     I love the tie in with "I Robot", another recommended read if you have not read yet. 

     I like this book because we get to see the great Harry Selden as a person. Fallible and as imperfect as the humanity he loves and wishes to save. 

     The idea of the second foundation I find interesting. Maybe Asimov is right. Maybe we should be governed by people more conscientious about the decisions the affect people as a whole. Weather then the petty dorms of the government we see today. Just a thought 


    As ever I thank all involved in the publication and production of both book and audiobook. From the mind of the author to the narrator's and everyone involved 


Yours David Evil Midknight 😈 

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