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Summary: Asimov's Foundation's Edge
Review: This is as good as any of the original three books of the Foundation Trilogy, and is in my opinion a work of Creative Genius. Some readers have commented on the seeming non-religious philosophy of the book, but although the philosophy is somewhat strange (not to give away the ending), I think that it is compatible with either a religious or non-religious viewpoint, and furthermore Asimov intended further books to follow to develop his themes further. Others have indicated that his characters are psychologically or emotionally lifeless, but the main characters Trevize and Gendibal and Sura Novi and Mayor Branno and Pelorat are as alive as most of Shakespeare's characters without the unnecessary violence. In this book, Asimov reveals himself to be a master of surprise, characterization, conflict and its resolutions, and an openness to ethical and even environmental questions. Most of all, perhaps, he is the ultimate opponent of bureaucracies in this book, whether academic, political, or any others. His conclusion is a bit confusing on this matter, but I do not think it was intentional but rather was dictated largely by the element of surprise and telling a good and entertaining story.
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Summary: Asimov's Fine Piece
Review: This story is the continuation of the foundation trilogy.The Story represent a incredible idea,fresh idea where science fiction become sort of reality. In fact the story line is superb.GET IT !
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Summary: edge of your seat
Review: this book keeps you wanting to read on, asimovs finest wor
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Summary: Asimov pulls it all together
Review: If you've already formed an opinion about Isaac Asimov's writing, FOUNDATION'S EDGE isn't likely to change your mind. The book has all of Asimov's earmarks, both good and bad: wooden characters who almost always know exactly how they feel and say exactly what they mean; dialogue-heavy scenes in which the exchanges are drenched with ideas and cerebral analysis but almost devoid of emotion or neurosis; an inventive setting replete with plausible details; and a propulsive, energetic plot that delivers lots of suspense and surprises. I already liked Asimov before I picked up the book, and it certainly didn't disappoint me, but it's not going to convert anybody who only wants to read about nuanced characters making subtle self-discoveries. Because the plot is one of the book's best features, to say too much about it would spoil the fun for too many readers, so I'll limit myself to one of its most interesting aspects, which is that it attempts to tie together a number of Asimov's works. Without giving too much away, it's fair to say that part of the book's project is to meld the fictional "universes" of the Robot stories, the Empire novels, and THE END OF ETERNITY with that of the FOUNDATION trilogy. Many Asimov fans have derided this decision, claiming that it marks the beginning of his decline as a science fiction writer. For myself, while I can't say that I find the attempt at retrofitting fictional consistency onto highly disparate works to be particularly compelling or convincing, I do find it interesting. Consider that Asimov was an atheist, who argued that in the absence of any persuasive evidence of a Supreme Being (of which he could find none), it was more rational to believe in God's nonexistence than in His existence. Yet for us to credit Asimov's notion of psychohistory, we must posit that certain characteristics are common to all humans. I would contend that the religious or spiritual impulse is such a characteristic, and that as people get older and their desire for comfort, security, and meaning increases, that impulse only gets stronger. I wonder: as Asimov aged, did he channel his own growing spiritual impulse into the project of forcing his fictional creations into an overall rubric, of imposing meaning where none previously existed? If you're an Asimov fan, FOUNDATION'S EDGE should be required reading. It did, after all, win the Good Doctor the 1983 Hugo award for best novel. On the other hand, if you're new to Asimov, this isn't the place to start. Instead, check out the FOUNDATION trilogy, or the Robot novels (THE CAVES OF STEEL and THE NAKED SUN -- the later ROBOTS OF DAWN and ROBOTS AND EMPIRE were part of Asimov's retrofitting project.) Better yet, read his short stories, collected in two excellent volumes titled THE COMPLETE STORIES I and II. It is those stories which cemented his reputation as a world class sf author, and I would argue that it is that reputation, rather than any particular virtue of this novel, that FOUNDATION'S EDGE's Hugo acknowledges.
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Summary: Not a bad read
Review: Foundation's Edge is not a bad read. Gaia is a bit silly, but all in all it was enjoyable. The thing that I find most confusing is why the follow-up, Foundation and Earth, is not in print as well. It provides some nice closure to the whole story.
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Summary: A good Foundation book
Review: Reading of this book presupposes that you have read the first three Foundation novels - "Foundation", "Foundation and Empire" and "The Second Foundation". ("Prelude to Foundation" is recommended, too.) If you haven't, please don't continue reading this review. This book starts with an inner-political conflict in Terminus, which leads to a young adventurer's leaving of Foundation and heading to a mysterious planet which just might provide an answer to a problem he badly needs to solve. What he finds there, lies completely beyond any man's recognition and I won't even try to give you a preview of it. You will be fascinated while watching closely the surprising moves of different Galactical forces trying to outcompete each other. The book is everything a Foundation fan would expect. Surely, Mr. Asimov's enthusiasm about a Galactic central goverment seems a bit out of date at the end of the 20th century, but that's not really disturbing. Though the book is not quite good as "The Second Foundation", it can be considered as a worthy follow-up.
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Summary: After the trilogy
Review: If you read the Foundation Trilogy and anxious about what happened next, get this book as well as Prelude to Foundation, Forward the Foundation, and Foundation and Earth. Also read the robot series connected to Foundation :The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, The Robots of Dawn, Robots and Empire.
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Summary: Me/Myself/I enjoyed this book somewhat
Review: This book was actually pretty good. Promising beginning and middle. Then out of nowhere comes Gaia (incrediabledumb idead) and in two seconds seldons plan is over. For thos e distraught with the ending read Foundation's Triumph
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Summary: One of Asimov's Best!! An essential Foundation book!!
Review: I loved this book! A very "action packed" sequel compared to the previous Foundation books,which got a little "boring" with all of the seemingly endless character dialog in them. The chemistry between the two lead characters is so very readable you will be as interested in them as you are the plot. I can see non-science fiction fans even liking this one! The author also brings into play concepts of "ancient" Earth from his earlier works that take place long before the entire "Foundation" world . Asimov creates a whole "future history" and this book is the essintial that ties it all together. You wont want to put it down!!
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Summary: The search for man's origins; for Earth.
Review: This novel won the 1983 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel of the year. This book is the sequel to Asimov's Second Foundation (1953), beginning about 98 years after the end of the events described in that novel. It is, in turn, followed by Foundation and Earth (1986). In this story, a renegade Councilman of the First Foundation (Golan Trevize), together with a historian, are sent out ostensibly to search for the original planet from which man comes (Earth). Actually, Trevize is in search for the Second Foundation, which most of the members of the First Foundation believed to have been destroyed. A renegade leader of the "underground" Second Foundation sets out to stop him. They both discover another controlling force in the galaxy. Personally, I disliked the "pat" ending somewhat. But, perhaps that is mere inducement to read the next book in the series.
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