Forward the Foundation
Encyclopedia
Forward the Foundation is a novel written by Isaac Asimov
. It is the second of two prequels to the Foundation Series. It is written in much the same style as the original novel Foundation
, a novel composed of chapters with long intervals in between. (Both books were first published as independent short stories in science fiction magazines.)
The parallels between Hari Seldon
and Isaac Asimov found in this book—the last one written by Asimov—and the focus on Hari Seldon as he grows old and dies, strengthen the idea that Asimov considered Seldon his literary alter ego. Many regard some of the thoughts and opinions expressed by Seldon in this book as autobiographical; a double reading of Forward the Foundation may shed light on Asimov's inner thoughts at the end of his life.
continues the chronicles of the life of Hari Seldon
, first begun in Prelude to Foundation
.
The story takes place on Trantor
, and begins eight years after the events of Prelude to Foundation. It depicts how Seldon developed his theory of psychohistory
from hypothetical concept to practical application in galactic events.
Beginning during the latter years of the reign of Emperor Cleon I
, Seldon's work brings him into the world of galactic politics, and takes him to the height of Imperial power as Cleon's First Minister, after the mysterious disappearance of his previous First Minister, Eto Demerzel (whom Seldon knows as R. Daneel Olivaw
). Seldon becomes First Minister to the Emperor, but loses the position ten years later after the Emperor is asassinated.
Gradually, Seldon loses all those who are close to him. Seldon's wife Dors
is killed saving his life from an assassin. His adopted son Raych
is killed in the Rebellion in Santanni; his daughter-in-law and second granddaughter are missing and never found. Yugo Amaryl dies early, brought on by the strain of his work. Except for his granddaughter Wanda
, Seldon is alone. He eventually sends her off to start the Second Foundation
.
The Galactic Empire
's decline accelerates during the later chapters, as does the decline of Seldon's physical health. At the same time, Seldon finally begins to unravel the secrets of psychohistory
; he initiates a grand plan that will come to be known as the Seldon Plan
, the road map for mankind's post-Imperial survival.
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...
. It is the second of two prequels to the Foundation Series. It is written in much the same style as the original novel Foundation
Foundation (novel)
Foundation is the first book in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy . Foundation is a collection of five short stories, which were first published together as a book by Gnome Press in 1951...
, a novel composed of chapters with long intervals in between. (Both books were first published as independent short stories in science fiction magazines.)
The parallels between 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...
and Isaac Asimov found in this book—the last one written by Asimov—and the focus on Hari Seldon as he grows old and dies, strengthen the idea that Asimov considered Seldon his literary alter ego. Many regard some of the thoughts and opinions expressed by Seldon in this book as autobiographical; a double reading of Forward the Foundation may shed light on Asimov's inner thoughts at the end of his life.
Plot summary
In Forward the Foundation, Isaac AsimovIsaac 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...
continues the chronicles of the life of 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...
, first begun in Prelude to Foundation
Prelude to Foundation
Prelude to Foundation is a Locus Award nominated 1988 novel written by Isaac Asimov. It is one of two prequels to the Foundation Series. For the first time, Asimov chronicles the fictional life of Hari Seldon, the man who invented psychohistory and the intellectual hero of the series.-Plot...
.
The story takes place 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...
, and begins eight years after the events of Prelude to Foundation. It depicts how Seldon developed his theory of 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...
from hypothetical concept to practical application in galactic events.
Beginning during the latter years of the reign of Emperor Cleon I
Cleon I
Cleon I is a character in the fictional universe of The Foundation Series. He was the last Emperor of the Entun dynasty . He was Emperor of the Galactic Empire when Hari Seldon first arrived on Trantor...
, Seldon's work brings him into the world of galactic politics, and takes him to the height of Imperial power as Cleon's First Minister, after the mysterious disappearance of his previous First Minister, Eto Demerzel (whom Seldon knows as R. Daneel Olivaw
R. Daneel Olivaw
R. Daneel Olivaw is a fictional robot created by Isaac Asimov. The "R" initial in his name stands for "robot," a naming convention in Asimov's future society...
). Seldon becomes First Minister to the Emperor, but loses the position ten years later after the Emperor is asassinated.
Gradually, Seldon loses all those who are close to him. Seldon's wife Dors
Dors Venabili
In Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, Dors Venabili is a good friend, protector and later wife of Hari Seldon, the primary character of Prelude to Foundation and Forward the Foundation. At face value, Dors is an attractive woman, two years younger than Seldon...
is killed saving his life from an assassin. His adopted son Raych
Raych Seldon
Raych Seldon is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. Raych is the adopted son of Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili, the primary characters in the first two books of the series...
is killed in the Rebellion in Santanni; his daughter-in-law and second granddaughter are missing and never found. Yugo Amaryl dies early, brought on by the strain of his work. Except for his granddaughter Wanda
Wanda Seldon
Wanda Seldon is a fictional character in Isaac Asimov's science fiction Foundation series. The daughter of Raych Seldon and Manella Dubanqua, Wanda played a key role in creating the two Foundations....
, Seldon is alone. He eventually sends her off to start the Second Foundation
Second Foundation
Second Foundation is the third novel published of the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, and the fifth in the in-universe chronology. It was first published in 1953 by Gnome Press....
.
The 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:...
's decline accelerates during the later chapters, as does the decline of Seldon's physical health. At the same time, Seldon finally begins to unravel the secrets of 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...
; he initiates a grand plan that will come to be known as the Seldon Plan
Seldon Plan
The Seldon Plan is the central theme of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series of stories and novels.-Psychohistory:According to Asimov's novels, Hari Seldon devised the Seldon Plan using a mathematical analysis he originally developed and called psychohistory...
, the road map for mankind's post-Imperial survival.