Isaac Asimov’s epic Foundation series begins with the book by the same name. It is the chronicle of humanity in the far future which faces not only the collapse of a galaxy-wide empire, but the subsequent chaos and dark age following the loss of civilization. Within that environment comes the greatest mind of science, Hari Seldon, who uses the laws of psychohistory (the study of the reactions of large numbers of people to economic, social, political and psychological stimuli) to reduce the thirty-thousand years of darkness to a mere one-thousand – with a stronger, more vibrant and benevolent empire at its end. As such, the short stories within the book focus far more on social and psychological conflicts than on grand space battles. The result is a tale that is exceptionally important for exploring the human equation – but one that may move a bit too slowly and be a bit too dry for a reader expecting a sci-fi epic more along the lines of Star Wars or The Matrix.

In other words, Foundation is much more psychological than it is kinetic.

But that is the strength of this book. The short stories explain how Hari Seldon established “Foundations” at “opposite ends of the galaxy” in such a manner as to be a catalyst to force the grand sweep of human history to culminate with a second galactic empire, after just a thousand years of history. Book One focuses almost exclusively on the exploits of the first Foundation which was settled by The Encyclopedists – a group of scientists charged with preserving and cataloging the extent of human scientific achievement – on the planet Terminus, at the far rim of the galaxy. From there the Foundation learns to fend off the aggressive monarchs which, newly independent from the Empire, are eager to exercise their power.

The Foundation learns to utilize diplomatic and social powers to not only maintain their own independence, but also begin to exert control on the kingdoms around them. Starting with using a balance of power to resist the Four Kingdoms, the Foundation eventually uses religious and then economic forces to expand their sphere of influence. Put simply, it’s a case study in how to gain control without ever having to fire a single shot of aggression. Or, in the words of the central character of the book Salvor Hardin, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”

The most valuable elements to the book, however, are the ones which allow the reader to explore how the study of psychohistory might apply to contemporary issues. It allows the scope of history to be told on a grand canvas – with the true pressures of history standing out in relief from the minutiae that we so often seem to obsess over. It’s this timeless quality to the book that makes the truly worthwhile. What’s most refreshing is, perhaps, the subtlety with which the stories are told. Very little action takes place “on-screen.” Instead, much of the focus is placed on the consequences of actions – of seeing how characters respond to different threats, failures and successes.

There are, of course, some criticisms of the book. Most critically, is the role of women in the book. Granted, Asimov wrote these stories in the first half of the twentieth century, when the role of women was great diminished. But for a book that is so prescient with respect to societies, politics, and civilization, it’s a wonder that wasn’t enlightened enough to correct the error. Later Foundation novels do indeed increasingly do a better job of presenting strong female characters. But even so, it’s important to acknowledge the flaw.

Also, the book is organized a bit like the Martian Chronicles – a series of five shorter, standalone stories that also work together to create a larger narrative. While this presents a unique and compelling approach, some readers may find it too distracting. The stories are summarized below:

The Psychohistorians

This is the tale in which we meet the legendary figure of Hari Seldon – the man who not only foresaw the collapse of the Galactic Empire, but also mapped out a Thousand-Year Plan to rebuild a greater, more vibrant Empire based on a scientific “Foundation” established on Terminus, on the edge of the galaxy. The story is told from the perspective of Gaal Dornick, a provincial who has come to join Seldon’s team on Trantor – the capital planet of the Empire which, like the planet of Coruscant in Star Wars, is comprised of one giant city.

The Encyclopedists

Fifty years after The Foundation was settled on Terminus (as just one small city), it finds itself cut off from the rest of the galaxy as four nearby star systems break away from the Empire and declare themselves to be Kingdoms. One of these, named Anacreon, eager to assert its new independence, sets its sights on the comparatively weak Foundation. The charismatic and resourceful Mayor of Terminus, named Salvor Hardin, must find a way to successfully maintain the Foundation’s autonomy.

The Mayors

After successfully holding back the imperialistic designs of the Four Kingdoms for nearly thirty years, Anacreon once again threatens the Foundation. This time, however, a much older Salvor Hardin has a trump card by way of the scientific aid he has given the Four Kingdoms. As it turns out, Hardin readily offered scientific assistance, but couched the entire enterprise within a religious framework. This is the story of how Hardin’s plans finally bring the Four Kingdoms to their knees.

The Traders

A short tale, set fifty-five years after “The Mayors,” “The Traders” is a tale of how the application of religion to science has effectively become a stagnant policy. After witnessing the fate of the Four Kingdoms, no nearby star systems are will accept Foundation technology. A new force for expansion is revealed, however, through the use of trade.

The Merchant Princes

The true power of economic control is explored in this story, which takes place twenty years later. In it, the Foundation faces, for the first time since it confronted the Four Kingdoms as just one city, a threat to its physical power. The Kingdom of Korell somehow has managed to gain nuclear-powered warships. Hober Mallow, a Foundation Trader, goes to Korell, opens a trade agreement and, when Korell eventually declares war, uses the trade imbalance to win the day.

Overall Grade: A

As you can see, a lot of Foundation is cerebral in nature, lacking a true visceral experience. It’s this approach, more than anything, that may prove to be a deterrent for readers. However, aesthetics aside, Foundation remains a hugely influential and important book. Its themes are universal. Its characters are well-constructed (allowing for the oversight as far as women is concerned). And many later variations of science fiction no doubt owe a great deal to Asimov’s creation.

Topics: Book Review, Sci-Fi
Filed under: Foundation

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