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Forward the Foundation

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Forward the Foundation

Written by: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: Larry McKeever
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About this listen

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
Classics Fantasy Fiction Hard Science Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera Space Interstellar Robotics
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What listeners say about Forward the Foundation

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

Hard to listen to.

If you want an example of how far audiobook presentations have come in 30 years we go from Scott Brick to this book read by Larry McKeever. Like going from an F1 racecare to a tricycle. No inflection, robotic read. I nearly gave up on it early but thanks to reading these reviews I saw a tip to speed up the playback. At 1.2 times speed it became easier to listen to and I got through it quicker. Double win.

The book itself is the lesser of the five Foundation books I have listened to. The story is still interesting but feels incomplete. The last chapter seems a rush to wrap up the story. Personally I would have hoped Asimov shed light on how psycho-history was developed rather than just focusing on the large chess pieces. But that may signal the era the book was written.

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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
    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
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    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
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

bad performance

the story was good overall the downside is the narrator very monotone and really pulls you out of the story hard to listen to but if you can get past that it is not bad listen.

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

Good story, poor reader.

As a fan of Mr. Azimov, I was not disappointed in the story. I listened to Prelude to Foundation and enjoyed the reader. However, I barely tolerated the reader of this book. At times he sounded very robotic. Eto Demerzel would have done a better job.

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

It Takes a Really Bad Narrator

Like most Asimov's stories, this one is a great story, but Larry McKeever is my least favourite narrator. A lot of little things add up to something I can hardly stand to listen to. He ruined Foundation and Earth, too. I really wish that they would have kept Scott Brick on the job, because his readings are very much easier on my ears, and I like his pronunciations much better. Larry McKeever steps up to the mic and a terrific story is ruined. His voice is abrasive.

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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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