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Synopsis
The first novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read For twelve thousand years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Seldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future—to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last thirty thousand years. To preserve knowledge and save humankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire—both scientists and scholars—and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. He calls his sanctuary the Foundation. The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are among the most influential in the history of science fiction, celebrated for their unique blend of breathtaking action, daring ideas, and extensive worldbuilding. In Foundation, Asimov has written a timely and timeless novel of the best—and worst—that lies in humanity, and the power of even a few courageous souls to shine a light in a universe of darkness.
Tags
Is Foundation appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A cerebral, idea-driven science fiction classic focused on predicting the fall of a galactic empire through mathematical sociology. Contains minimal violence, no sexual content, and emphasizes intellectual problem-solving over action.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include mass death, war, and societal collapse.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Teens who love big ideas about history, civilization, and whether math can predict the future will find this thought-provoking.