Prelude to Foundation
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Prelude to Foundation
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Narrated by:
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Scott Brick
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Written by:
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Isaac Asimov
About this listen
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 HouseYou may also enjoy...
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Only a few know the terrifying truth - an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun... They know the truth - but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy - but who will believe?These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 12
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The End of Eternity
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 40
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
The Eternals, the ruling class of the Future, had the power of life and death not only over every human being but over the very centuries into which they were born. Past, Present, and Future could be created or destroyed at will. You had to be special to become an Eternal. Andrew Harlan was special. Until he committed the one unforgivable sin - falling in love. Eternals weren’t supposed to have feelings. But Andrew could not deny the sensations that were struggling within him. He knew he could not keep this secret forever. And so he began to plan his escape.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it.
- By Spencer on 2022-10-29
Written by: Isaac Asimov
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The Foundation Trilogy (Dramatized)
- Written by: Isaac Asimov, Patrick Tull - adaptation, Mike Stott - adaptation
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Beevers, Lee Montague, Julian Glover, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
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Overall3 out of 5 stars 19
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Performance3 out of 5 stars 17
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Story4 out of 5 stars 17
The opening episode begins on Trantor, capital of the Galactic Empire, with the meeting of Seldon and Dornick, their trial, and their exile to Terminus. The action then jumps forward 50 years, to the first Seldon Crisis, where the repercussions of the recent independence of the Four Kingdoms of the Periphery are being felt on Terminus, and are handled by the first Mayor, Salvor Hardin....
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Nemesis
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
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In the 23rd century, pioneers have escaped the crowded earth for life in self-sustaining orbital colonies. One of the colonies, Rotor, has broken away from the solar system to create its own renegade utopia around an unknown red star two light-years from Earth: a star named Nemesis. Now a 15-year-old Rotorian girl has learned of the dire threat that nemesis poses to Earth’s people - but she is prevented from warning them. Soon, she will realize that Nemesis endangers Rotor as well.
Written by: Isaac Asimov
-
I, Robot
- Written by: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 149
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 129
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 129
They mustn't harm a human being, they must obey human orders, and they must protect their own existence...but only so long as that doesn't violate rules one and two. With these Three Laws of Robotics, humanity embarked on a bold new era of evolution that would open up enormous possibilities, and unforeseen risks.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
So glad I read this
- By JK Wichert on 2022-10-25
Written by: Isaac Asimov
-
The Gods Themselves
- Written by: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
Only a few know the terrifying truth - an outcast Earth scientist, a rebellious alien inhabitant of a dying planet, a lunar-born human intuitionist who senses the imminent annihilation of the Sun... They know the truth - but who will listen? They have foreseen the cost of abundant energy - but who will believe?These few beings, human and alien, hold the key to the Earth's survival.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
the Para dimensional creatures took to long
- By Rat Madman on 2021-08-06
Written by: Isaac Asimov
-
Nightfall and Other Stories
- Written by: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom
- Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 14
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 12
A collection of 20 classic short stories by Isaac Asimov, author of the Foundation series, featuring the definitive and only in-print version of “Nightfall”.
Written by: Isaac Asimov
-
The End of Eternity
- Written by: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 40
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
The Eternals, the ruling class of the Future, had the power of life and death not only over every human being but over the very centuries into which they were born. Past, Present, and Future could be created or destroyed at will. You had to be special to become an Eternal. Andrew Harlan was special. Until he committed the one unforgivable sin - falling in love. Eternals weren’t supposed to have feelings. But Andrew could not deny the sensations that were struggling within him. He knew he could not keep this secret forever. And so he began to plan his escape.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it.
- By Spencer on 2022-10-29
Written by: Isaac Asimov
-
The Foundation Trilogy (Dramatized)
- Written by: Isaac Asimov, Patrick Tull - adaptation, Mike Stott - adaptation
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Beevers, Lee Montague, Julian Glover, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars 19
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 17
The opening episode begins on Trantor, capital of the Galactic Empire, with the meeting of Seldon and Dornick, their trial, and their exile to Terminus. The action then jumps forward 50 years, to the first Seldon Crisis, where the repercussions of the recent independence of the Four Kingdoms of the Periphery are being felt on Terminus, and are handled by the first Mayor, Salvor Hardin....
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Abhorant audio quality
- By Amazon Customer on 2018-07-21
Written by: Isaac Asimov, and others
-
Nemesis
- A Novel
- Written by: Isaac Asimov
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 18
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 15
In the 23rd century, pioneers have escaped the crowded earth for life in self-sustaining orbital colonies. One of the colonies, Rotor, has broken away from the solar system to create its own renegade utopia around an unknown red star two light-years from Earth: a star named Nemesis. Now a 15-year-old Rotorian girl has learned of the dire threat that nemesis poses to Earth’s people - but she is prevented from warning them. Soon, she will realize that Nemesis endangers Rotor as well.
Written by: Isaac Asimov
What listeners say about Prelude to Foundation
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tyski
- 2024-03-07
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Artur A.
- 2024-08-13
I love this series. Such amazing writing.
Read it. We need more people in the world who have read series such as this!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Ryll
- 2019-12-03
Excellent
I fine example of why Asimov is considered a master. The Audible performance really brought it to life.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- legalos3
- 2019-12-23
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Denise
- 2023-07-11
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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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- kevin warner
- 2021-11-22
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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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Eric Miller
- 2019-09-13
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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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Langer MD
- 2024-09-15
Meh.. Passable
Of Isaac Asimov's 'Robot' and 'Foundation' novels, this is one of the weakest. The book follows Hari Seldon's struggle as a young mathematician refining his Psychohistory methods while avoiding being used by the Empire and other interested parties. The writing is capable - Asimov's awards for vocabulary/prose are well-earned - and the plot is satisfyingly twisty-turny.. but it includes an inordinate amount of sexual tension, knife fights (for some reason), and a "Legends of Earth" & "Legends of Robots" obsession that makes little sense for Seldon's mandate besides the shoehorned "twist".
As to presentation: Reader Scott Brick was cast perfectly for the project - capturing the arrogance of the Imperial and Intellectual elites that populate the novel beautifully. True, he reads too slowly (listen at 1.15X) and isn't very good at female character voices, but his diction, timbre, cadence, and tone are truly praiseworthy overall.
Altogether, 'Prelude To Foundation' is a forgettable contemplative SciFi story that doesn't add anything to the overall series. Asimov is capable of much better. This audiobook merits a somewhat disappointing 6 stars out of 10. It's not a terrible investment of time & money.. but feel free to keep browsing.
[NOTE: Asimov wanders into asides throughout the narrative. The discussion of hypothetical sexual mores in a sprawling galaxy is interesting but unnecessary, for example. Be prepared for some admittedly profound but totally irrelevant stream-of-consciousness thought experiments if you give the book a try]
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