So what did eventually happen to Hari Seldon?
Read this and find out, maybe.
I do like the way David possibly leaves the Foundation saga open for further books, if someone wishes to ever write them (we hope they do), but also at the same time tying the end up nicely in case that doesn’t happen.
We shall see what the future brings forth.
An old — and waiting to die — Hari, decides to run away from Trantor and go on an adventure as he is having doubts over the Foundations and the future.
Basically it’s a jolly little romp around the galaxy that, once again, gives us more background into the last days of Hari Seldon.
Quite enjoyable.
While Hari Seldon is dealing with his problems, Daneel has problems of his own dealing with other factions of robots.
Thus we are introduced to the historical schisms that have occurred within the robots over the implementation of the three laws — and also the zeroth law — creating opposing groups, each with its own idea of humanity’s future and the robots’ place within it.
Once more, not a continuation after Foundation and Earth, but a deeper look into what was going on behind the scenes in the Foundation stories.
All good stuff.
The first book in a trilogy that was authorised by the Asimov estate to be written as a sequel to Foundation. I had expected it to be a continuation from where Foundation and Earth left off, but it isn’t.
This book picks up the story way back when Hari Seldon was being considered for the role of First Minister and the trilogy takes it from there. It’s like an alternative view on things giving us more story about the story we already got told.
All in all it’s a pretty good book, although i think a continuation from Foundation and Earth would have been much better. But if you’re a fan of the franchise then i’m sure you’ll still enjoy it.
After the events of Foundation’s Edge, our intrepid protagonists go off in search of the mystical planet of origin, Earth.
Once again, a well written jaunt around the galaxy, getting themselves into all kinds of awkward situations during their search. But will they find the ultimate prize they seek?
Off we go again searching for other foundations.
But there seems to be yet another manipulator hidden behind the Second Foundation. Did someone create a third foundation? We shall find out with our protagonists.
Once again, brilliantly written to keep you turning those pages.
Again, we have another 2 part book.
“Part I: Search by the Mule”
The Mule goes off in search of the elusive Second Foundation. This is a great story with many twists and turns as the final dual between the mentalics of the Second Foundation and the Mule comes to a head.
“Part II: Search by the Foundation”
The First Foundation has had its interest piqued and it really does not want a galaxy where they are being manipulated by this elusive Second Foundation. So off they go on a big search to make themselves their own masters again, and thus the true masters of the galaxy.
Once more, all brilliantly written
This book is divided into two separate stories, the first is when the Foundation butts up against the old Empire, still dreaming of its return to its glory days. The Empire sends one of its generals, Bel Riose, to conquer the Foundation worlds and the Foundation itself: has Seldon’s Plan foreseen this and who will eventually win?
The second story is about a mutant, known as “The Mule”, who is slowly taking world after world to form a new empire of his own making.
Both great stories taking us on a full tilt ride around Isaac’s galaxy of the future.
Very enjoyable and not very put downable either.
Next up is Second Foundation.
Finally, after months of reading through “Robots” and “Empire” we get onto the original Foundation books.
The decline of the Galactic Empire is in full swing, the Foundation is firmly settled on the planet Terminus, and the shenanigans of the Seldon Crises begin.
It’s now up to the Foundation to navigate through each crisis in order to shorten the chaos of a fractured galaxy down to around 1000 years when the second Galactic Empire will bring peace and stability back. If they don’t do it then it will be over 10000 years of chaos and barbarism instead: no pressure there then?
Once again, the most excellent writing from one of the great writers of all time.
And then it’s straight into Foundation and Empire for some more crises.
Continuing on from Prelude to Foundation. We finally begin to see Trantor in decline and Hari trying to hold the Psychohistory project together.
It’s hard to say much about this novel without spoiling the plot completely. But, it is good and is an absolute must read before embarking on the original Foundation novels.
And that’s exactly where we go next, to Foundation.