Classic Review: Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Few science fiction books have had the enduring influence of Foundation, the first novel in Isaac Asimov’s seminal series. First published in 1951, Foundation is a novel of ideas, a grand-scale vision of history, politics, and the future of human civilisation.

It’s also the cornerstone of modern sci-fi, inspiring the best sci-fi books, from Dune to Star Wars. But how does it hold up today, especially in light of the high-profile Apple TV adaptation?

The Story: The Fall of an Empire and the Birth of Psychohistory

At the heart of Foundation is the concept of psychohistory, a mathematical method of predicting the future on a large scale. Its creator, Hari Seldon, foresees the inevitable collapse of the Galactic Empire, which has ruled the known universe for millennia.

But rather than accept a dark age spanning 30,000 years, Seldon devises a plan to reduce this period to a mere thousand years by establishing the Foundation—a repository of knowledge meant to guide future generations back to stability.

The novel is structured as a series of interconnected short stories chronicling key moments in the Foundation’s early years. Political intrigue, power struggles, and the influence of knowledge over brute force drive the plot.

Rather than focusing on individual heroes, Asimov emphasises the broader currents of history, making the book feel more like a grand historical epic than a traditional character-driven narrative.

Asimov’s Style: Ideas Over Emotion

Reading Foundation today is an enjoyable experience. Asimov’s prose is clean, efficient, and full of intellectual rigour but doesn’t dwell on its characters’ inner lives. It feels more like reading a historical account than a personal journey, its greatest strength and biggest hurdle for modern readers.

Foundation may not be the best fit for deep character studies. The novel’s dialogue is often expository, with characters serving as mouthpieces for grand philosophical debates rather than as emotionally complex individuals.

Some might find this sterile, but others will appreciate the sheer brilliance of Asimov’s world-building and how he layers idea upon idea, creating an intricate tapestry of history, science, and political manoeuvring.

That being said, Foundation remains compelling due to the sheer weight of its ideas. Asimov’s vision of a declining empire echoes the fall of Rome, and his exploration of science as a guiding force for progress feels as relevant today as it did in the 1950s.

The pacing is brisk, and the constant shifts in time and perspective give the book an almost documentary-like feel, reinforcing the notion that history is the true protagonist.

How It Holds Up Today

For modern readers, Foundation can feel a little cold, especially in contrast to more character-driven sci-fi. However, its influence is undeniable. The themes of political manipulation, technological stagnation, and the cyclical nature of history are just as relevant today as they were when Asimov first penned the book.

In many ways, Foundation is more about systems and institutions than it is about people. This may be why the Apple TV adaptation has taken a different approach, injecting more personal drama, emotional stakes, and visual grandeur into the story. The adaptation introduces new characters, expands on existing ones, and builds relationships in ways the novel never does.

While this makes for a more engaging TV experience, it also significantly changes the tone of the story. Fans of the book may find these additions unnecessary, while newcomers might appreciate the added complexity.

The Legacy of Foundation

We recently ranked Foundation third on our list of the Top 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time, recognising its monumental influence on the genre. Its impact can be seen across literature, film, and even real-world scientific thought.

The notion that history follows patterns, that knowledge can be used to steer civilisation, and that decline and rebirth are inevitable cycles continue to resonate deeply.

Few books have left such an indelible mark on science fiction as Foundation. Its impact can be seen across literature, film, and real-world scientific thought. The notion that history follows patterns, that knowledge can be used to steer civilisation, and that decline and rebirth are inevitable cycles continue to resonate deeply.

Asimov’s grand vision remains as thought-provoking as ever, but it also raises a question: does the deterministic march of history truly bind humanity, or can individuals disrupt the course of events? The book suggests that large-scale forces ultimately shape civilisation more than individual actions, a perspective that feels both prescient and chilling.

Verdict: A Must-Read for Sci-Fi Fans

Despite its lack of strong character development, Foundation remains essential reading for anyone interested in the roots of modern science fiction. Its ambitious scope, intellectual depth, and exploration of the intersection between science and society make it a fascinating and thought-provoking experience.

If you can appreciate Asimov’s cerebral style and are intrigued by the concept of predicting and shaping the future, Foundation is well worth your time.

For those who find the original a bit too dry, the Apple TV adaptation offers a different—if somewhat looser—take on the story, adding layers of personal drama while retaining the core ideas that make Foundation such a landmark of the genre.

In the end, Foundation is not just a book about the future—it’s a book about how we perceive the future, how we try to control it, and whether we ever truly can. That’s what makes it timeless.

Read Foundation