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  • Prelude to Foundation

  • Written by: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (137 ratings)

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Prelude to Foundation cover art

Prelude to Foundation

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

This daring story of humanity’s future introduces one of the great masterworks of science fiction: the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, bold ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of people to save civilization from a relentless tide of darkness and violence - beginning with one exceptional man.

It is the year 12,020 GE and Emperor Cleon I sits uneasily on the Imperial throne of Trantor. Here in the great multidomed capital of the Galactic Empire, 40 billion people have created a civilization of unimaginable technological and cultural complexity. Yet Cleon knows there are those who would see him fall - those whom he would destroy if only he could read the future.

Hari Seldon has come to Trantor to deliver his paper on psychohistory, his remarkable theory of prediction. Little does the young Outworld mathematician know that he has already sealed his fate and the fate of humanity. For Hari possesses the prophetic power that makes him the most wanted man in the Empire...the man who holds the key to the future - an apocalyptic power to be known forever after as the Foundation.

©1988 Isaac Asimov (P)2011 Random House

What listeners say about Prelude to Foundation

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Fantastic narration

Always been a huge fan of Asimov, each book has you looking on as if you are in the room with the characters, guessing to the last page.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

I fine example of why Asimov is considered a master. The Audible performance really brought it to life.

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In The Beginning

I’ve listened to this well let’s say more than 10 times as it is the tie that binds everything and anything to do with the foundation series. It’s definitely worth a listen even if you’re not an avid Asimov fan.
What I find more revealing as I watch science-fiction whether it’s Star Wars Star Trek blade runner is the use of Asimovs creative genius. For example at the end of this book there is a scene in blade runner that is almost identical between the interaction of a human and the AI.

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Wow … worth the read

I’ve never read any of his books before and so this was my first and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to start with the prelude before reading the other volumes. I could not put it down.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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pity it came later

we can not see it as more than an afterthought another what if based on that present when it came about

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Asimov's weakest writing, read weirdly?

The lilted hyperexagerated vocal expressions of the reader do not help the weak writing by Asimov.

The book doesn't stand the test of time, and this performance won't either.

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