A Well Deserved Science Fiction Classic
937641
Isaac Asimov is one of the few popular science fiction writers whose fame is derived mostly from his intriguing story line and character interactions as oppose to pure imaginative science.  In fact, given that this series takes place 50,000 years into the future, one could easily argue that its incredibly short sighted given how little science has evolved; yet this detracts very little from just how entertaining this book and the series is.  Asimov is a fantastic writer in terms of creating intrigue, wit, and believable dialog, and the result is he has developed a very enjoyable series.

Foundation is the first book of the original three that Asimov wrote in the Foundations series, and although the series is now quite a collection of books with some even taking place before the period of this book, Foundation still represents a terrific point to enter the series.  The premise is that a science exists that is able to predict the downfall of an empire that ruled the galaxy for 20,000 years, and as a result a foundation (two in fact) is set up to ultimately shorten the period of anarchy that will result in the empire's downfall.  This of course leaves open plenty of intriguing possibilities and Asimov does not disappoint.

Asimov is very straight forward in his writing and leaves little open to interpretation.  He has often been criticized for this style, yet in place of open ended complexities the book contains a quality that fully immerses its readers and satisfies them with clear and definitive answers.  Reading the foundation novels is somewhat akin reading a history book that that highlights specific elements of importance.  This style may not appeal to everyone, but once you are engrossed in the story line you will find it hard to put this book down (as well as many others in the series).

***
For those new to the series, here are the specific seven books tied directly into the Foundation story line and their original date of publication.  I read these in the order they were published and was very happy to have chosen that order.  Asimov also tied in some of this other book series into this one (specifically his Robot series) thus making the entire story line a much larger volume of books.

Prelude to Foundation (1988)
Forward the Foundation (1993)
Foundation (1951)
Foundation and Empire (1952)
Second Foundation (1953)
Foundation's Edge (1982)
Foundation and Earth (1986)
4285604
Dune is justifiably considered one of the classics of Science Fiction. Many of the created societies in sci-fi feel one dimensional and antiseptic, but Frank Herbert created one of the most realistic and belivable futures in the genre. Dune was described in one of these customer reviews as what would happen if James Clavell wrote sci-fi. I couldn't agree more. It shares the same narraritive techniques as a Clavell novel, the same complex plot, and if Herbert isn't quite as entertaining a writer as Clavell, the ideas he presents are extremely fascinating.
  Much of what drives Dune is two subjects largely absent from most science fiction: biology and religion.
When I say religion I  mean religion as a social phenomena. In the few instances religion appears in sci-fi it is often presented in a smug or condescending way. But religion has been a large social force throughout recorded history and Herbert postulated, not unreasonably, that it will continue to be so.
If it is not surprising that religion gets such short shrift, it is surprising how little attention biology gets in most Science-fiction. Authors conversant in PhD level physics often have no conception of the basic tenets of biology or ecology (though to be fair this failing is more pervalant in TV sci-fi). But in 'Dune' it is the ecology of the planet Arrakis that shapes the Fremen, and the religion based on Paul Maud'dib and jihad that shapes the galaxy.
2247989
"Foundation and Empire," the second in a trilogy of classic science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov, is a must read for historians of science fiction.  For those who like science fiction itself, this volume is also valuable.  Asimov can madden, especially in his early novels, but his imagination is wonderful.  His strength is conceptualizing systems (whether empires or cultures) and he often plays with big ideas.

I first read the trilogy while in college, and was fascinated.  This triggered a long-lasting interest in the fiction of Isaac Asimov (and some of his non-fiction works, as well).

Those familiar with this trilogy know that the key character is psychohistorian Hari Seldon, who believes that one can predict the behavior of large masses of people via mathematical equations and, thus, predict how events will develop in the future.

This book is a bridge between the novel "Foundation" and the third in the series, "Second Foundation." And, of course, later in his career, Asimov returned to the Foundation well--with more interesting and literary results.  Indeed, in one of the great tour de forces in science fiction, he ends up linking two classic series--the robot works and the Foundation series. But I'm getting way ahead of myself.

This novel focuses on two instances--one, the rise of a youthful and talented military leader who goes after the Foundation.  And, just as Hari Seldon's mathematical equations predicted, he failed.  The logic for this is classic Asimov, and is why he was so entertaining to read, even though his characters have little life in these works and even though his writing style is, at best, functional in these works (he improved with time).

Then, there is the case of the Mule, where Seldon's equations failed in prediction.  And that itself is fascinating, as explained in this novel.  Thus, the comparison of the correct prediction and the failed prediction add some real heft to Asimov's tale of the rise of the Foundation as the Empire slowly descends to its end.

For those who have never read Asimov, the Foundation trilogy is a good place to get a sense of his talents, of seeing big pictures. His writing style is not great, but the images of this future that he developed are compelling. I still enjoy going back to the Foundation series, the Robot series, and their fusion as Asimov's vision evolved.
795236
Generally, science fiction is long on hard science but extremely short on good fiction, or it is very short on real science while being well written and readable. This novel brilliantly combines them both! It's a transgenerational adventure liberally dotted with explanations of difficult-to-understand astrological and related scientific phenomena. These phenomena are shown as we know of them both yesterday and today, and they are  extrapolated into the future with intellectually consistence scientific realism. But for all of its realism, science is only the skeleton of this novel. It is the consistently well drawn characters, both human and alien, who keep us turning the pages. The humans are all part of social matrices which are believable and consistent with what we know about social psychology and family relationships. The aliens are just different enough from us to make us believe that they are aliens, but they are similar enough to us that we can recognize their motivations, actions, relationships, and other behaviors, such that we consequently care about them as individuals and as a species. (mild spoiler alert) The plot is driven foreword by an ingenious relationship between the foreign species and ourselves, both of whom are space-going, intelligent, and especially curious species who never actually physically meet! But the alien culture has a profound influence upon our own and the development of that influence is profound. As the novel comes to a beautiful and well done ending, you may find yourself wishing it would go on and on as I wished, even as you recognize that the ending is not only fitting and appropriate, but it could actually go no other way. I rarely, rarely give a book five stars, but I could even toy with giving this one six! As my normal bedtime flew past, I had no choice but to stay up until I finished this novel.
3174646
The Chrysalids is a great read, well written and absorbing, a true classic  in science fiction, and probably in fiction in general. The message that  "different" may as well mean "better than the common",  and that bigotry and intolerence are ugly, is presented to the readers  through a very original plot that gradually reveals the situation on Earth  after a nuclear holocaust. A group of children and young adults struggle to  survive by keeping secret their telepathic abilities, which, like all other  "mutations", are considered a sacrilege by a rigidly pious,  intolerent, and cruel society. The characters in the book are alive and  human, the images vivid, the feelings compelling, and the end full of hope.  A truly wonderful book which would make a great movie.
395564
Without a doubt, one of the best science fiction stories I have had the pleasure of reading.  Sci-fi-wise, it presents how things could be in a potential future, and how even then, there is the never-ending story of man's inhumanity to fellow man.  On the other hand, there are included as well, people who know and cherish caring relationships with loved ones.  A variety of different, yet strong characters are presented, along with their unique strengths and weaknesses, all of which are magnified in the story being told.  Although not in every case, I particularly enjoyed many of the dialogs that were presented between various characters.  It is easy to relate to all of them because in the story, you can see where each one is coming from and how they want their own dreams and goals to be fulfulled.  The characters and story, is well told, and presented in a way that makes it difficult to put the book down.
2136172
One of the great stories to emerge from Science Fiction's "Golden" years, this story involves the efforts of one human - Trevor Jamieson - to convince two species - humans and Ezwals, who hate each other to the death, to unite in the face of an existential threat at the hands (or appendages) of the Rull, an insectoid race of aliens determined to destroy humanity. Jamieson's relationship with the Ezwal, an elephant-sized predatory feline with telepathic ability, is itself worth the price of admission. Although dated (the original stories were written in the 1940's), the novel contains the timeless elements of blind hatred, fear, courage, love, and loyalty all set in place before a backdrop of exotic locations that would make George Lucas jealous. This is a story for readers of all ages - from young adults and up; it has been, from the first time I read it in the 70's,  one of my favorite stories ever.
3020729
This book is quite simply on of the better sci-fi books that I have ever read. Aldous Huxley, has done a wonderful job predicting (back in 1932) what he thought might become of our world.

The story starts of in Central London's Hatchery & Conditioning Centre. In this world, which takes place in approximately 2500 A.D. (or in the book 632 A.F.) people are 'made' in tubes, and conditioned in the way that they should go. Similar to 1984, the totalitarian government is based on a simple motto, "Community, Identity, Stability". Nonetheless, this government does not rule its people by force as in 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Instead, the government provides it people with constant "happiness", thus ensuring social stability. There are five distinct groups that make up the "Brave New World" and each group has an intricate part in the social system. There are Alphas, Betas, Deltas, Gammas and Epsilons that make up the entire caste system. Basically the Alphas are bred in a way that suits them (they hold the most important positions) while the lower caste members are bred to be laborers. From their manufacture (or birth) these toddlers are conditioned in a number of ways in order to fit into their part of society. They are taught nearly everything that would condition them into having a happy life. From the early ages children are encouraged to partake in heavy sexual activity and drug use (and other vices that will keep them happy). The major aim of the government is to make the people happy, thus ensuring social stability.

The story follows a few different characters, as they live in this world. In the beginning, the reader is introduced to Bernard Marx and Lenina, a man and woman living in this dystopia. The story follows their experiences in the world as they know it, and then it follows them into a trip to visit the Savages. Without giving too much of the story away, a new character emerges, John, who is a savage. The latter half of the book deals with his experience in the "other world"

All in all, this book was a great read. I believe that Aldous Huxley did a wonderful job in predicting what the world would become. Although Orwell's 1984 gets more attention, Brave New World is a better vision of what our world has become. It is difficult to read the story without seeing allusions to our modern day government. For example, sexual promiscuity was used by the world state in order to distract people from the real problem. Arguably this is the same thing that is happening today. In the foreword (written in the early sixties) Huxley joked about "marriage licenses being sold like dog licenses, good for a period of twelve moths, with no law against changing dogs." Huxley speculated that as political and economic freedom diminishes sexual freedom usually increases. Similarly, people are encouraged to become involved in mindless activities in Huxley's world that includes drugs and music (similar to what goes on today). The point is, the happier that people are, the more unlike they are to care about what goes on around them. Huxley did a wonderful job of explaining this compared to our current state. This book should definitely be on every high school students reading list. It provides a fascinating account of religion, philosophy, and social stability wrapped into a great story. Read it!
2345874
I loved this book. For what seems to be a first novel, it is mature, thoughtful, and top-notch science fiction. It is a grown-up book, but perfect for young adult readers, and important in its treatment of the LGBT theme.

I was intrigued by this book because its by a male author Ive not heard of, and because the premisea young man working as an indentured servant on a distant planet in some unspecified futurewas really interesting. Frankly, I was dubious, because this seems to be the authors first book.

Well, Im not dubious any more. This substantial novel works on several levels: as YA fiction, as LGBT fiction, and as science-fiction literature. It worked its way into my brain, and I gradually came to care profoundly about the protagonist, James Fisher, an Earth-born teenager, shipped off to the planet Castor as a small child. He awakes after years in stasis to find himself both orphaned and indentured with a thirty-year bond of servitude on an isolated wheat plantation. Somehow, in Youngs spare prose, he manages to evoke both Ray Bradburys Martian Chronicles and John Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath (although I confess I haven't read that since high school in the 1970s). James (a plain, anglo name, which takes on its own significance in the course of the narrative) is in a bleak place and lives a life that is equally austere. He finds small pleasures for himself as the apprentice gardener in Dr. Niels sprawling experimental gardens, where he grows plants that have been genetically adapted to Castors peculiar atmosphere and soil.

The garden, and James tending of it, brings to mind another celebrated literary nugget: Il faut cultiver notre jardin, from Voltaires epic Candide (which I read, in French, in university). We must cultivate our own garden was Voltaires exhortation to find your own joy in a world full of injustice and misery. James embodies this notion in Castor, and ultimately the garden and the importance of plants takes its place as the most powerful central metaphor for the novel.

Youngs prose is not particularly elegant or self-consciously literary. It is clean and precise and reflects the age and position of the narrator without seeming juvenile at all. Castor is written without extensive explanation; the world-building sneaks up on your bit by bit, until you have a very clear image of not only the planet Castor, but the world on Earth that Castors inhabitants left behind.

Possibly the most subversive aspect of James character is revealed in a single statement he makes halfway through the book: I don't want to die, and I don't want to kill anybody. In a polarized world (not unlike our own) he refuses to take sides when that choice requires him to do something he knows to be unjusteven to someone he might consider his enemy. He is labeled a coward (and calls himself this) because he refuses to follow the rules (literary or political) of unthinking self-sacrifice that fuel action novels and romances alike. In short, James is a complex, profound, and sometimes disturbing character, because he refuses to do or feel what is expected if it is not true to the self he knows.

This is a surprisingly dark book for a YA audience, and yet ultimately it is about humble nobility and the triumph of idealism in an unlikely setting.
3829396
One of the masterpieces of modern science fiction (and considered one of the foundations of that genre) Alfred Bester's "The Demolished Man" is a gritty and thoroughly enjoyable look at the future.  Espers - humans who have developed the ability to read minds - are able to stop murders before they occur, to the effect that there has not been a murder in nearly 100 years.  (Philip K. Dick's "Minority Report" has similar subject matter, though it's handled very differently.)  The story follows Ben Reich, an incredibly wealthy owner of an enormous corporation, in his attempts to "beat the system" and murder his business competitor without being detected.

Bester tells the story in a creative and unexpected way, building towards a lengthy (but never dull) climax, expanding our vision of the world along the way.  When the conclusion comes it explains and wraps up what has come before, but not in an entirely satisfying way.

Still it's a clever and humorous (in a dark and slightly morbid way) look at the world of the future, full of memorable characters, concepts, and quotes ("Tension, apprehension, and dissension have begun.")  Very much worth reading.
3496079
The book is well written, original, and entertaining.  The story is truly science fiction at its best in that Howey took the classic premise of Plato's Allegory of the Cave and placed it in a plausible future world.  I highly recommend this story to fans of Ray Bradbury or Richard Matheson.
558956
Dune is one of the sci-fi classics that I managed to completely miss, until now.

The tale of a planet and a three generations of a family, with religion, politics and conflict finely intertwined. Some of the slightly middle-eastern and European approaches (the Ramadan, the landsraad) bring it a familiarity and make it easier to relate to the characters in that strange, desolate Arrakis planet.

A final mention on how the one-on-one fights are described, with the thoughts and observations of each of the intervenients and spectators mixed with the action, making them a fascinating read.

If you like science fiction, or a good novel with political overtones, read this.
830545
This is one of the best science fiction books that I have read!  I do highly recommend it.
381314
One of the most delightful science fiction novels I've recently read.
4096141
this is considered a sci fi classic, and it certainly merits it!  some of it is clearly dated, yet it reads well and stll manages to impact on my thinking.
1994956
I read this first when it first came out, and it's still as good today. It's a truly moving book; a rare thing for the genre. Highly recommended if you like proper Science Fiction
4467277
A true Science Fiction classic. I felt the echo of every classic Science Fiction author I have ever read when I added this book to my shelf. Heinlein, Asimov, and all the rest that I grew up reading and re-reading--and still have Hardback copies filling my shelves. A very powerful book.