Foundation (novel)
Encyclopedia
Foundation is the first book in Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...

's Foundation Trilogy (later expanded into The Foundation Series
The Foundation Series
The Foundation Series is a science fiction series by Isaac Asimov. There are seven volumes in the Foundation Series proper, which in its in-universe chronological order are: Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation, Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation, Foundation's Edge, and...

). Foundation is a collection of five short stories, which were first published together as a book by Gnome Press
Gnome Press
Gnome Press was an American small-press publishing company primarily known for publishing many science fiction classics.The company was founded in 1948 by Martin Greenberg and David A. Kyle. Many of Gnome's titles were reprinted in England by Boardman Books...

 in 1951. Together, they form a single plot.

Foundation saw multiple publications—it also appeared in 1955 as part of Ace Double D-110 under the title "The 1,000-Year Plan." Four of the stories were originally published in Astounding Magazine (with different titles) between 1942 and 1944, and the fifth was added when they first appeared in book form. A further two books of short stories were published shortly after, and decades later, Asimov wrote two further sequel novels and two prequels. Later writers have added authorized tales to the series. The Foundation Series is often regarded as one of Isaac Asimov's best works, along with his Robot Series
Isaac Asimov's Robot Series
Isaac Asimov's Robot Series is a series of short stories and novels by Isaac Asimov featuring positronic robots.- Short stories :Most of Asimov's robot short stories are set in the first age of positronic robotics and space exploration...

.

Plot summary

Foundation tells the story of a group of scientists who seek to preserve knowledge as the civilizations around them begin to regress.

The Psychohistorians

(0 F.E.) (First published as the book edition in 1951)

The first story is set on Trantor
Trantor
Trantor is a fictional planet in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series and Empire Series of science fiction novels.Trantor was first described in a short story by Asimov appearing in Early Asimov Volume 1. Later Trantor gained prominence when the 1940s Foundation Series first appeared in print . Asimov...

, the capital planet of the 12,000-year-old Galactic Empire
Galactic Empire (Asimov)
In Isaac Asimov's Robot/Empire/Foundation series of novels, the Galactic Empire is an empire consisting of millions of planets settled by humans across the whole Milky Way Galaxy. Its symbol is the Spaceship and Sun logo.-Author's creation of the empire:...

. Whilst the empire gives the appearance of stability, beneath this façade it is suffering a slow decay. Hari Seldon
Hari Seldon
Hari Seldon, a fictional character, is the intellectual hero of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. In his capacity as mathematics professor at Streeling University on Trantor, he developed psychohistory, allowing him to predict the future in probabilistic terms...

, a mathematician and psychologist, has developed psychohistory
Psychohistory (fictional)
Psychohistory is a fictional science in Isaac Asimov's Foundation universe which combines history, sociology, and mathematical statistics to make general predictions about the future behavior of very large groups of people, such as the Galactic Empire...

 which equates all possibilities in large societies to mathematics, allowing predictable long term outcomes.

Seldon discovers a horrifying truth to the Empire's decay, but his results are considered treasonable and attract attention from the Commission of Public Safety — the effective rulers of the Empire. This leads to his arrest. A young mathematician Gaal Dornick
Gaal Dornick
Gaal Dornick is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is Gaal Dornick that introduces the Foundation series, appearing in the first chapter of Foundation, describing his meeting with Hari Seldon. He eventually went on to be his biographer...

, who has just arrived on Trantor, is also arrested. On trial, Seldon shares the discoveries made through psychohistory, such as the collapse of the Empire within 500 years, followed by a 30,000-year period of barbarism.

Seldon proposes an alternative to this future; one that would not avert the collapse but shorten the interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...

 period to a mere 1000 years. But this plan would require a large group of people to develop a compendium
Compendium
A compendium is a concise, yet comprehensive compilation of a body of knowledge. A compendium may summarize a larger work. In most cases the body of knowledge will concern some delimited field of human interest or endeavour , while a "universal" encyclopedia can be referred to as a compendium of...

 of all human knowledge, titled the Encyclopedia Galactica
Encyclopedia Galactica
The Encyclopædia Galactica is a fictional or hypothetical encyclopædia of a future human galaxy-spanning civilization, containing all the knowledge accumulated by a society with quadrillions of people and thousands of years of history...

.

A still skeptical commission, worried of making Seldon a martyr, offer him the choice of execution for treason or acceptance of exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...

 with his group of 'Encyclopedists' to a remote planet Terminus
Terminus (planet)
Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

. There, they will carry out the Plan under an imperial decree, while Seldon would remain barred from returning to Trantor
Trantor
Trantor is a fictional planet in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series and Empire Series of science fiction novels.Trantor was first described in a short story by Asimov appearing in Early Asimov Volume 1. Later Trantor gained prominence when the 1940s Foundation Series first appeared in print . Asimov...

.

The Encyclopedists

(50 F.E.) (published May 1942 as "Foundation")

The second story; "The Encyclopedists", takes place 50 years after the events of "The Psychohistorians". Terminus
Terminus (planet)
Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

 faces the first of many "Seldon Crises
Seldon Crisis
A Seldon Crisis is a fictional socio-historical phenomenon in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series of science fiction novels. They are part of the field of psychohistory, and refer to a social and political situation that, to be successfully surmounted, would eventually leave only one possible,...

". With no mineral wealth of their own, the people of the Foundation become cut off from the rest of the Empire, as a result of the breakdown of law and order in the outer regions of the Galaxy and their neighboring planets' declaration of independence.

Terminus is caught in a dispute between four planetary systems which have deteriorated to a barbaric state and find Terminus's location a strategic advantage. The Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Galactica Foundation, composed of scientists with no political or military training, find themselves incompetent to handle the situation as they are distracted by their work on the Encyclopedia. But the Mayor of Terminus City, Salvor Hardin
Salvor Hardin
Salvor Hardin is the first mayor of Terminus, the capital planet of the Foundation in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and the main protagonist of the second and third parts of Foundation. He is portrayed as a shrewd and ruthless politician, a master manipulator who acts in the interests of the...

, perceives the threat and quickly finds a solution; to play the four kingdoms off each other.

Hardin's plan is a success and then the image of Seldon appears in the "Time Vault", where he acknowledges that the "Seldon Crisis
Seldon Crisis
A Seldon Crisis is a fictional socio-historical phenomenon in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series of science fiction novels. They are part of the field of psychohistory, and refer to a social and political situation that, to be successfully surmounted, would eventually leave only one possible,...

" was averted. Seldon makes it clear that the choice made was the intended one and that the Encyclopedia was just a distraction to further the overall plan.

The Mayors

(80 F.E.) (published June 1942 as "Bridle and Saddle")

The third story; "The Mayors", occurs three decades after "The Encyclopedists", The Foundation's scientific understanding has given it unusual leverage over nearby planetary systems, and its control is exercised through an artificial religion referred to as Scientism
Scientism (Foundation)
Scientism or the "Church of Science" is a fictional religion from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is first mentioned in Part III of Foundation, "The Mayors", and makes its last appearance in Part V, "The Merchant Princes".-Formation:...

. This concept allows the Foundation to share the benefits of its advanced technology, while keeping its scientific secrets. Maintenance technicians known as priests are trained on Terminus
Terminus (planet)
Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

 and given basic operational understanding of the technology, while being kept ignorant of the underlying scientific knowledge. Thus, the Foundation is able to quell the anti-scientific rebellions and delocalisation of knowledge which have reduced the rest of the galactic periphery to barbarism.

Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

 Salvor Hardin
Salvor Hardin
Salvor Hardin is the first mayor of Terminus, the capital planet of the Foundation in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and the main protagonist of the second and third parts of Foundation. He is portrayed as a shrewd and ruthless politician, a master manipulator who acts in the interests of the...

, as Mayor of Terminus, is the effective ruler of the Foundation. Prince Regent Wienis of Anacreon plans to overthrow the Foundation's power, and his plans are encouraged when he obtains an abandoned Imperial cruiser that he demands the Foundation repair.

Hardin foresees Wienis's plans and arranges for the ship to be repaired his own way, incorporating some modifications. Hardin then broadcasts Wienis's attempt to the people of Anacreon under the ruse of blasphemy, leading to a revolt which results in direct control over the Four Kingdoms.

Hari Seldon
Hari Seldon
Hari Seldon, a fictional character, is the intellectual hero of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. In his capacity as mathematics professor at Streeling University on Trantor, he developed psychohistory, allowing him to predict the future in probabilistic terms...

 again confirms the actions by appearing in the "Time Vault", while also warning them that Scientism
Scientism (Foundation)
Scientism or the "Church of Science" is a fictional religion from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is first mentioned in Part III of Foundation, "The Mayors", and makes its last appearance in Part V, "The Merchant Princes".-Formation:...

, while adequate to defend the Foundation from the immediate threat, will not be sufficient to expand its influence beyond its barbarous near-neighbors.

The Traders

(About 135 F.E.) (published October 1944 as "The Wedge")

The fourth story; "The Traders" occurs twenty years before "The Merchant Princes". The story describes the events of Limmar Ponyets, a Trader, who is sent to retrieve Eskel Gorov from the planet Askone. Askone has refused commerce with the Foundation in fear of control through Scientism
Scientism (Foundation)
Scientism or the "Church of Science" is a fictional religion from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is first mentioned in Part III of Foundation, "The Mayors", and makes its last appearance in Part V, "The Merchant Princes".-Formation:...

. Eskel Gorov is awaiting execution for violation of a trade law by attempting to set up trade with Foundation technology.

The leaders of Askone are adamant in not accepting any Foundation technology, but when offered gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

 in exchange for the prisoner, they gladly accept. During Ponyets' presentation of the offered gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

, he convinces Pherl—an aspiring leader in Askone's government—to accept technology that can transmute iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...

 into gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

. Unknown to Pherl, his transaction with Foundation technology was recorded and later used as blackmail
Blackmail
In common usage, blackmail is a crime involving threats to reveal substantially true or false information about a person to the public, a family member, or associates unless a demand is met. It may be defined as coercion involving threats of physical harm, threat of criminal prosecution, or threats...

, allowing Ponyets to exchange his cargo of Foundation technology for tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...

, a resource needed by the Foundation.

Pherl is now forced into accepting Foundation technology, and so will strive to make it acceptable among Askone's people.

The Merchant Princes

(About 155 F.E.) (published August 1944 as "The Big and the Little")

The fifth story; "The Merchant Princes" follows 75 years after "The Mayors".

The Foundation has expanded through the use of Scientism
Scientism (Foundation)
Scientism or the "Church of Science" is a fictional religion from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is first mentioned in Part III of Foundation, "The Mayors", and makes its last appearance in Part V, "The Merchant Princes".-Formation:...

 and economics. Three Foundation vessels have vanished near the Republic of Korell, a nation suspected of technological development. Trader Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. He is the central protagonist of "The Merchant Princes", the final short story of Asimov's Foundation.-Fictional biography:...

 is sent to uncover information on their technology and hopefully find the missing ships. While at Korell, Mallow
Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. He is the central protagonist of "The Merchant Princes", the final short story of Asimov's Foundation.-Fictional biography:...

 convinces Korell's leader Commdor Asper Argo to purchase Foundation technology. Mallow
Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. He is the central protagonist of "The Merchant Princes", the final short story of Asimov's Foundation.-Fictional biography:...

 also discovers that Korell still maintains some relics of the Empire such as atomic hand guns. But he also notes the Republic's decrepit condition and lack of modern technology.

On return to Terminus, he is considered a traitor for not spreading Scientism
Scientism (Foundation)
Scientism or the "Church of Science" is a fictional religion from Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is first mentioned in Part III of Foundation, "The Mayors", and makes its last appearance in Part V, "The Merchant Princes".-Formation:...

 to Korell, although an unlikely development clears Mallow
Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. He is the central protagonist of "The Merchant Princes", the final short story of Asimov's Foundation.-Fictional biography:...

 allowing him to win an election for Mayor.

When Korell goes to war against The Foundation, Mallow
Hober Mallow
Hober Mallow is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. He is the central protagonist of "The Merchant Princes", the final short story of Asimov's Foundation.-Fictional biography:...

 does not act against the Korellians and waits until dissent from the shortage of goods supplied by the Foundation allows the Foundation to virtually win.

Characters

The Psychohistorians
  • Gaal Dornick
    Gaal Dornick
    Gaal Dornick is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is Gaal Dornick that introduces the Foundation series, appearing in the first chapter of Foundation, describing his meeting with Hari Seldon. He eventually went on to be his biographer...

    Mathematician and Hari's successor.
  • Hari Seldon
    Hari Seldon
    Hari Seldon, a fictional character, is the intellectual hero of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. In his capacity as mathematics professor at Streeling University on Trantor, he developed psychohistory, allowing him to predict the future in probabilistic terms...

    Mathematician who develops psychohistory
    Psychohistory (fictional)
    Psychohistory is a fictional science in Isaac Asimov's Foundation universe which combines history, sociology, and mathematical statistics to make general predictions about the future behavior of very large groups of people, such as the Galactic Empire...

    .
  • Jerril An agent of the Commission of Public Safety who watches Gaal Dornick
    Gaal Dornick
    Gaal Dornick is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. It is Gaal Dornick that introduces the Foundation series, appearing in the first chapter of Foundation, describing his meeting with Hari Seldon. He eventually went on to be his biographer...

    .
  • Linge Chen Chief commissioner of public safety, and judge of Seldon's trial.
  • Lors Avakim The lawyer appointed to defend Gaal Dornick.


The Encyclopedists
  • Anselm haut Rodric Soldier and Envoy from Anacreon to Terminus.
  • Bor Alurin Trantorian psychologist who trained Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin is the first mayor of Terminus, the capital planet of the Foundation in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and the main protagonist of the second and third parts of Foundation. He is portrayed as a shrewd and ruthless politician, a master manipulator who acts in the interests of the...

    .
  • Jord Fara Member of the Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Foundation.
  • Lewis Pirenne Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.
  • Lundin Crast Member of the Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Committee.
  • Lord Dorwin Chancellor of the Empire
  • Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin is the first mayor of Terminus, the capital planet of the Foundation in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and the main protagonist of the second and third parts of Foundation. He is portrayed as a shrewd and ruthless politician, a master manipulator who acts in the interests of the...

    First Mayor of Terminus
    Terminus (planet)
    Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

  • Tomaz Sutt Member of the Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Committee.
  • Yate Fulham Member of the Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Committee


The Mayors
  • Dokor Walto Foundation Action Party activist.
  • Jaim Orsy Foundation Action Party activist.
  • King Lepold I King of Anacreon.
  • Lem Tarki Foundation Action Party activist.
  • Levi Norast Foundation Action Party activist.
  • Lewis Bort Foundation Action Party activist
  • Prince Lefkin Wienis's eldest son.
  • Prince Regent Wienis Prince Regent of Anacreon, uncle of King Lepold I.
  • Poly Verisof Foundation ambassador and High Priest on Anacreon.
  • Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin
    Salvor Hardin is the first mayor of Terminus, the capital planet of the Foundation in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, and the main protagonist of the second and third parts of Foundation. He is portrayed as a shrewd and ruthless politician, a master manipulator who acts in the interests of the...

    First Mayor of Terminus
    Terminus (planet)
    Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

    .
  • Sef Sermak Terminus
    Terminus (planet)
    Terminus is a fictional planet at the edge of the Galaxy in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, home of the Foundation .-Position in the universe:Terminus is the sole planet orbiting an isolated star...

     City Councilor.
  • Theo Aporat Head priest on Anacreon's flagship Wienis.
  • Yohan Lee Organizer of Salvor Hardin's coup and close confidante of Hardin.

Reception

Reviewer Groff Conklin
Groff Conklin
Edward Groff Conklin was a leading science fiction anthologist. He edited 40 anthologies of science fiction, one of mystery stories , wrote books on home improvement and was a freelance writer on scientific subjects as well as a published poet...

 declared Foundation "a book of real intellectual entertainment and adventure."
Boucher
Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher was an American science fiction editor and author of mystery novels and short stories. He was particularly influential as an editor. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle...

 and McComas
J. Francis McComas
Jesse Francis McComas was an American science fiction editor. McComas wrote several stories on his own in the 1950s using both his own name and the pseudonym Webb Marlowe....

, however, found it "competent enough writing and thinking, if on the dull side.". P. Schuyler Miller
P. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...

 received the volume favorably, but noted that the "revision and inter-writing" of the component stories was "not quite so successful a job" as Asimov had managed with I, Robot
I, Robot
I, Robot is a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Isaac Asimov, first published by Gnome Press in 1950 in an edition of 5,000 copies. The stories originally appeared in the American magazines Super Science Stories and Astounding Science Fiction between 1940 and 1950. The stories are...

.

External links

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