Foundation and Empire by Isaac AsimovMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Started on Book 2 immediately after finishing Book 1. To be honest, I was left a bit disappointed by Book 1, which I read only after seeing the epic Apple TV+ trailer for the upcoming show. Book 2 more than made up for whatever faults Book 1 had!
In FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, the tiny independent home world of the Foundation (where scientists work to preserve humanity's knowledge) is pitted against the dying- yet still mighty - Empire. Because of the Foundation's founder Hari Seldon, whose knowledge of human psychology and mathematics allowed him to predict the future for thousands of years, people of the Foundation have become complacent with the knowledge that they cannot fail, cannot be beaten.
But the weakness of Hari Seldon's psychohistory is that it is based on calculated actions of masses of men, and doesn't take into account the anomaly of a single person. And finally, one is born with a super power that can change the future. And there's nothing the Foundation can do about it... or is there?!
Book 2 should serve as an example for the famous adage, "Never judge a series by the first book!" Haha. I now understand and support the hype around the series! Basically, all of Book 1's faults have not only DISAPPEARED in Book 2, but also, Asimov's writing style has evolved in leaps and bounds. He is no longer the scientist - turned - clumsy - sci.fi writer. He is, quite simply, a good writer whose characters BREATHE, complete with a gift for economy and pacing, and dialogue.
Strong female lead? Check!
Mind blowing plot twist at the end that led to an involuntary attack of profanity and book throwing (safely on a soft bed)? Yup!
Asimov's secound Foundation book is the reason why we read. This is what the best of sci.fi can be: the story of humanity, its faults dissected and analyzed, with a prophetic lens... Both a warning and a beacon of hope.
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