Foundation: Fall and Rise of the Galactic Empires

The Foundation series is one of the most influential science fiction series of all time. Written by Isaac Asimov, The first novel titled Foundation was published in 1951. Foundation was originally published as 4 short stories the 5th story which became the first segment of book 1 was published later. Asimov wanted to write a short story about a slowly declining galactic empire, based on the fall of Rome. This idea grew into story depicting the fall of the first galactic empire and the rise of the second.
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[@Hagiastheite]

I love the fact that Asimov covered the idea of a human only universe being his decision to avoid arguing with John Campbell over their differing political philosophies. He noted that he believed that the idea of humans the only intelligent life in the galaxy was improbable, but it saved him from those uncomfortable arguments. Ironic that a desire to avoid a falling out with his friend and first publisher resulted in this seminal series.

[@mdhall04]

Dune did the same basically

[@johnnycampbell3422]

Well said, however avoiding the dark forest was also a reason.

[@chrissostomosvassiliou7050]

This discrepancy was faced and explained in "The End of Eternity", where a human chose for reality the only timeline where humans are the only intelligent spieces. Not in the name of Humanity but in the name of Romance...

[@sandal_thong8631]

We have insufficient data to know how many civilizations are in the galaxy. It could be one, or seven or a million. Since we are the only technological civilization on Earth and in the solar system, it makes for a fair analogy with the current situation.

[@tidalgardens]

Oh hell yes. First Dune and now Foundation!

[@howardmiller5381]

Actually it was first Foundation then Dune. Also R.A. Heinlein has a novel called "Revolt In 2100" that has some elements of psychohistory. This book was published in 1953.

[@SonofSethoitae]

+Howard Miller No, he means Dune was covered first on this channel

[@howardmiller5381]

Oh, one of those relativety paradoxes ...

[@GloryStoryCz]

Great year !

[@darrellkoontz9578]

@@howardmiller5381 oo9

[@marknovak6498]

I remember reading this series, the first three books, in college 1982, and seeing new books crop up in the 80s to move it forward. It is ahead of its time. The cool part is that Asimov linked it with the Robot novels at the end. the complete series of both novels. 1.5-million-word "history of the future" to do this story right would take decades to create. Fingers crossed.

[@thomasboomer9809]

That's exactly right. And he wove them together brilliantly. Asimov is quite the genius.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I guess he wanted to do that, but it kind of changes each series. For instance, the radioactive Earth of the Empire books is now the result of increased radioactive elements in the Earth's crust and not from a nuclear war. Also, he now had the Robot, R. Daneel survive for tens of thousands of years and have the power of telepathy to link it to the Foundation series. It seems like Psycho-History is no longer the invention of Sheldon, but passed down to him.

[@FatCatAlleyMinute]

This book predicted the pocket caculator 30 years before it's time. There is a description of the device Harry Seldon uses that describes it almost exactly.

[@user_arbuser_01]

AniMajik Productions Moreover, this book predicted fall of USSR. All social and political processes during this fall were predicted. And still we can observe "interregnum" in the lands of ex-USSR. Asimov was a REAL oracul.

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

@@ohgosh5892 the UK woukld be insane to not leave the EU.Which is bound to fail.

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

@death wish Yes I am.The eu is a openly fascist government.Thats why I am against it.

[@StrangerInTheTubb]

thunberbolt two Not trying to start a flame war, but I don't think you understand what fascism is.

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

@@StrangerInTheTubb Actaulli I do know what fascism is.Thats why I believe the eu is a openly fascist government.

[@tylerdurden69420]

Asimov's Foundation series is probably one of the most profound book series in my life. Its importance and influence on me is probably only rivaled by Adams' Hitchhiker series.

[@misscaraleigh]

You are literally blowing me away with the books and authors you keep picking up. Frank Herbert and now Asimov! What a win!

[@dreimar1796]

Foundation... this isnt just a book serie, not for me. Maybe i was too joung when i read it and got influenced too much, but still an unforgetable experience. I was so deeply immersed into it, i could not think about anything else for months after finishing it. Highly contribute to my "thinking process" and belief, for the good. Thank you for this.

[@merrittanimation7721]

Yes! An actual video about Foundation on KZbin!

[@jwisemanm]

I know, right? Finally!

[@lunar_trooper]

Th whole story arc with "The Mule" in "Foundation and Empire" is one of my favorite twists in science fiction.

[@lunar_trooper]

I see you just made a video about the Mule ;)

[@oomahuntressprotectress848]

its an unpleasant twist

[@marcelsgroot]

And the fact that you really had no idea where the second foundation was located till the very end of the second foundation novel

[@contentstarved991]

By the time I got to the Mule, I forgot I was reading a really old influential series and became completely immersed in the story.

[@lorenzobanza4451]

@@marcelsgroot the writing is great! Seldon is such a deep character, the plot is airtight, I guessed when F2 was but didn’t think it so obvious.

[@kaylin5352]

I love that you are growing your channel into other sci-fi/fantasy novels! You know your base lol. Other ASOIAF channels are turning to other pop culture things, which is great for them. But your direction is unique and a great idea. Also, kudos to your editing. Your videos are so good, and we can tell how much work you put into it. Keep up the good work!

[@edwardmartin5860]

I agree totally!

[@platinumorange1034]

Any good epic fantasy and sci fi recommendations

[@Kim_Jong-un1356]

I read these books when I was a kid. They blew my mind and now, some 20 years later I'm reading them again. The magic is still there among the pages =)

[@Kim_Jong-un1356]

They have each other...

[@barrykimber]

I read the original Foundation Trilogy in my teens, absolutely mind-blowing imagination and left an imprint upon my thinking for life.... Have read all the subsequent books many times over since (I'm now 60!!) & it STILL blows me away, never ever gets boring & I've never read any other books/series that captures my imagination & can create such realistic, fascinating scenes within my mind. Who needs any kind of 'mind-stimulant' when the whole future history of Humanity is mapped out across these books !!????? Asimov was an absolute genius .

[@HapNStance]

"Foundation" is a must read for all sci-fi fans. Good job introducing it. I have heard a rumor that there may be a movie in the works. If so, I hope they begin with Asimov's 4 robot novels, which lay the foundation for the Foundation series, and are essential to understanding some of the events in the series.

[@hajorm.a3474]

Well...they didn't

[@BuiltInBrooklyn]

Well there’s a series now on Apple TV+ definitely check it out!

[@HapNStance]

@@BuiltInBrooklyn Yes. I have watched it. It is good, except it only very loosely follows the plot of the book.

[@citizenofearth]

It was my first sci-fi saga that I've read...and together with Dan Simmons' Hyperion, it is the best sci-fi experience I've ever had.

[@Nx--7567]

This is the video that got me into Asimov. Thank you

[@BigFrakkinOgre]

My favorite series from my favorite author. If you delve into this series as deeply as you do ASOIAF and Dune, I'll be a happy man.

[@fernandokuzunoha8844]

Foundation's Edge is the best book for me and one of the best sci fi books I've ever read

[@IndianaJonny]

Love that you've included the Chris Foss artwork at 6:14 that graced the covers of the book trilogy. Chris Foss' pieces were used on the covers of many of Asimov's books under the Panther publishing house but this one - to my knowledge - was unique in that the picture was effectively 'cut up' into three pieces, one for each front cover, so by lining the books face-up and side-by-side the picture would be reassembled in all its glory (rather than the more common approach of stretching one picture across the spines of an entire collection).

[@marcelsgroot]

I remember being ill as kid. My ungle loaned me hes foundation trilogy books and said read this and you feel better soon. He was totally right I got so hooked in the story I forgot I was feeling crappy

[@emiliocamachoerice6380]

It was my first sci-fi series when I was 10 thanks Quinn

[@QuantumRift]

I was about the same age, and it's affected me ever since.

[@danboehlke]

Wow, it was my first "trilogy" too.

[@emiliocamachoerice6380]

Dan Boehlke my father loves Asimov so he has most of his books he told me to read foundation as a starting point for sci fi

[@platinumorange1034]

Your dad is dope

[@platinumorange1034]

@@emiliocamachoerice6380 Can you recommend any sci fi and epic fantasy books

[@residentgrigo4701]

To say that this book puts character and characterization second is a vast understatement. A modern adaptation of the book(s) could do wonders to the story.

[@sandal_thong8631]

The main characters we come to find out are manipulated to make things play out the way they "should" for the Seldon Plan. Sometimes this means the leader of the Foundation does nothing. Later it involves tricky plots and misdirection by the Second Foundation.

[@EpioN]

Foundation and Earth was my favorite. So bittersweet.

[@merrittanimation7721]

I liked Foundation and Empire for the same reason, but with emphasis on bitter

[@WickedKingLycoan]

Please do a series on Larry Niven’s ‘Ringworld’ next.

[@fishesvideo]

Ive read a Dozen or more of his books multiple times over the years. It's THE cornerstone of all SciFi. Just Absolutely Brilliant. The Robot series is maybe my favorite.

[@eyesrajones]

You have to do a video on The Mule. Just more Asimov please. Why hasn't someone turned Asimov's work into a TV show yet?

[@ernestolombardo5811]

The Mule's first search of the Second Foundation needs its' own video. Then another one for his final confrontation with the First Speaker. Then another one for the psychohistorian paranoia and purge on Terminus.

[@Daneelro]

Personally I always liked the last story in the original trilogy, the Foundation's search for the Second Foundation, most. However, during a recent re-reading of the entire series (from the robot stories to Foundation And Earth), I was most intrigued by the character of Bayta Darrell. Asimov wrote this in an era of extreme misogyny in America (when the returning GIs forced the women working in the factories back into the kitchen, and the media began to cement the then new stereotypes of the single-earner nuclear family a la Flintstones or Jetsons), which is also reflected in Asimov's other work. But here he made a protagonist out of a married woman who is a clear intellectual superior to her husband, has her own initiative, and saves the Universe by way of a coldly calculated murder.

[@fungames24]

@@BluJean6692 Asimov dealt with people masses and not individuals. The human masses he portrayed was warmer than the hottest stars, for they were everywhere in the galaxy. He dealt with the grand plan. It's only fair for others to fill in the details.

[@allanrichardson3135]

@@Daneelro And her heroic career was continued by her teenage granddaughter!

[@shauntempley9757]

Star Trek is heavily anchored in it.

[@mauricecain2889]

One of the great book series in science fiction. A very thoughtful and deep look at empire, human ambition, macroeconomics, politics, and the use of science as a tool for both good and ill. It's also a time capsule of the post world war 2/cold war era. A must read for anyone wanting to experience the best of what science fiction can be.

[@StayBlessed69]

Love that you’re expanding in to all the smart sci fi. So far you’re posting on all my favourites. Love what you do man!

[@natloh8926]

So stoked!!!! Loving your channel and enthralled that you are deep diving into other epic stories!

[@4asgard5]

Oh my god, I've been following you for a while for your ASoIaF content. Just recently re-read the Foundation Saga and so I'm hype as hell for this.

[@lsporter88]

I applaud you for taking on The Foundation Series.......you Magnificent Bastard! 😎

[@danieljameson7015]

LOVE Dune and Foundation. You are amazing for making these videos, thank you!

[@EpaminondastheGreat]

Did anyone say _Galactic Empire_ ?

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

Emperor Palpatine I am The Senate!!!!!😎😉😆🤣

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

Emperor Palpatine you know it's Star Wars Day.

[@EpaminondastheGreat]

KamenSentaiMetalHero 2000 Yeah, may the 4th be with you...you pitiful little being...

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

Emperor Palpatine I will have my revenge on revenge of the fifth.😎

[@nathanielgoldberg2891]

Coruscant was modeled after Trantor.

[@JL0ndon]

Holy shit you did mists of Avalon yesterday and now you do the foundations series?! Seriously are you going through my book shelf?!

[@xFalseProphetx]

I have read this books some years ago and loved them. You reminded me of that, so I went and purchased all of them to re-read them anytime I want. Thanks!

[@MrSpikeFreemen]

Oh yes please do to foundation what you did for dune.

[@jwisemanm]

I second that

[@UtahGmaw99]

I was just thinking last night this might be something you would do! Thank you for all your hard work!

[@BasicBookBreakdowns]

First Dune and now Foundation?? You are making my whole year better!

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

Wow! Thank you for this!

[@garyv2498]

Many miles peddled on my bike while I listened to the stories of Isaac Asimov. Thank you Isaac and thank you video publisher.

[@GFalconDX]

Yes! Finally! I've been waiting for something like this!

[@nukezat]

Great content and visuals! Keep on the awesome work!

[@bALDbOY85]

Niiice dude, glad to see people in the world are still interested in this wonderful series.

[@jamo-uy4zg]

I hope the author of this channel sees this post. I really love this book. I decided to read it after seeing the summary between the asoiaf and dune summaries. Both series I love. Thank you for the recommendation. And keep them coming!!

[@kylemma33]

I love these videos of you covering sci-fi series.

[@Airehcaz]

Quinn you do excellent work! I’m excited every time I see a notification from you or find a video I haven’t seen yet :)

[@dwylaw]

Just wanted to say thanks for getting me to read Foundation. Finished the first novel just now and fricken loved it :D

[@SpaceCase6valence]

Nice! You're officially my favorite channel now.

[@edwardmartin5860]

SpaceCase6valence i agree

[@agronopoulus]

Excellent video! Keep up the good work!

[@scottlypuff]

YES! Please keep doing these videos! I love them!

[@smcneal057]

I can't believe you took my suggestion seriously. Thanks so much for this.

[@reculture]

Been on and off the channel but now after seeing this, you've got new subscriber! Great content, kudos!

[@johndevillier2852]

Great video as always!!🖖🏽

[@TGill]

Thanks for this!

[@radar536]

Nice analysis. Put the good old Uncle Ike in his deserved throne. He was a master.

[@sharp7j]

Wow this series looks super interesting thanks!

[@Watcher_From_The_Dark]

I can't thank you enough for these videos as many of these books dealt with issues we are only beginning to realise are realities in as humanity progresses.

[@djcorvette8375]

"Progresses"

[@daverage4729]

I've never been an Asimov fan (the lack of character driven story always discouraged me) but have to say you did a great job explaining these Quinn.

[@samp6097]

Foundation was what got me into scifi

[@seekthevisceral]

This presentation was beautiful.

[@svenjohnson2389]

I read the trilogy 40 years ago, have to pick them up again!

[@ronchasr6656]

Me too! I read it about 40 yrs ago also!

[@juraj_b]

Just finished this and I was so confused by this novel. Thanks for clearing few things up for me

[@mrgilestoyou5913]

Love your vids. Keep up the good work.

[@avatar6699]

Taking on the massive scope of Foundation? You brave soul! Keep at it.

[@monsouranda2822]

Looks interesting. Thank you for the recommendation

[@coryskipper909]

Basically all the books I've seen you review so far are books that I've been meaning to read. You prolific videos on Dune finally got me to buy the first book. As soon as I finish book 3 in the Expanse series I'm going to read Dune and I am excited for it! Next up after Dune is Foundation!

[@AdriatikFarma]

Well done, Foundation was needed to this channel, hope we will see more of it? As far i heard HBO works on the series with GRRM?

[@merrittanimation7721]

I heard Christopher Nolan's brother but I last checked that a couple years ago

[@JeffDeWitt]

Just found this from last month. Apparently the series is in the works, but it's now Apple that's doing it. (Apple?!?) variety.com/2018/tv/news/apple-foundation-isaac-asimov-series-1202749126/

[@jegjeet]

Merritt Animation, Yeah, It was underwork as Jonathan Nolan as main writer but I think then it get scrapped. Now Apple is looking at it for their stream service. I hope they got good team for it.

[@piotrd.4850]

@@user-fl7yh5fw5b given current political climate and proportion of white males on screen, once easily see where this is going..

[@LordOfNihil]

added to my read list. thanks.

[@jamescoughlin6357]

Thanks for this. Anyone here ever read the classic by Phillip Jose Farmer, "To your scattered bodies go" This is my favorite book

[@cummisk1]

Kind of creepy that this popped up on my KZbin feed a week after I downloaded the book from Amazon.

[@Opocrious]

Discovered you through Dune, am a big GoT fan and I'm psyched that your now tackling Foundation!

[@marcelsgroot]

fun fact when asimov wrote the foundation stories he never thought of them being books. He sold them to magazines. Only years later hes agent convinced him that they should turn them into book and then asimov added the trail as introduction

[@g.b.1224]

Yes, I was just thinking about this series.

[@edwardmartin5860]

Love your choice of literature and style has me floating. In my imagination.

[@jimmywrangles]

You had me at Foundation.

[@brightglory5734]

Cadence always so spot on.

[@ericzum]

Excellent video.

[@vt31008]

Great video

[@ChrisS-tu4pj]

I remember reading the Foundation series as a kid, was bored with it, don't know why I did the lot. Now that you explained it, makes it much more interesting.

[@hyperionic1044]

I Love This

[@rubenangelhernandezgonzale1647]

Your chanell is amazing!!!!!

[@leonydasdice]

Great vídeo, keep it up, now you should do Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality of Mankind/Rediscovery of Man

[@carolevonaarberg472]

I would like to see 'The mote in God's eye' turned into a streaming series. by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. This is a straight forward story, and very filmable. There is also J.P. Hogans' the Giants' series. A great story very badly written. But plot, page turner, brill! .

[@shipmate3577]

This is great. I must read this

[@seamuswarren]

Always loved the cover art.

[@mikel6520]

Great galactic map!

[@JonDjones1]

My reading of the books was, Prelude to Foundation. I've enjoyed the Foundation, the Robot series. Including Dune as well my favorite syfy writers.

[@lamajigmeg]

well done 👍

[@mercutio8952]

I think it is amazing that a lot of other short stories fit perfectly to the overall story of foundation. I missed mentioning R. Daneel Olivaw, who is something as a central figure of the whole plot... ... I have to read the books again 😁📖📚

[@nickking6371]

Thanks Quinn

[@user-lp7tx1fe6t]

This is gonna get more views

[@Carlton-B]

I was just thinking of this series the other day.

[@oberstul1941]

Excellent content, comrade. I salute you! A lot more could be said about Asimov and his novels, but I'll just add this: although an influential giant and branching scholar, Asimov's writing style currently drives me crazy and sometimes bores me to tears. I remember greatly enjoying his novels when I was younger in high-school, but nowadays his - as you said - "no development" characters and all dialogue/no action storylines seem like a vestigial artefact of a byone age: the Golden Age of Sci-Fi. Also, imho DUNE blows him away. A little tidbit I think he understood and silently brood over it, because there is no (as far as I recall) mention of Frank Herbert or DUNE in any of his auto-biographies (yeah, he wrote more than 1 auto-biography, ikr)

[@sandal_thong8631]

I also read his little detective club stories where they ask the guest, "How do you justify your existence?" if I remember correctly.

[@50043211]

I read it when I was 15 and found it very entertaining especially with its unique approach.

[@wooferz52]

I loved it ... read the set many times , will miss my favorite author ....

[@KingstonMiranda]

Keep rising

[@paulatamaramohamad5794]

My favorite series!

[@L0U_ZER]

Nice!

[@xiribitautau]

I have read the trilogy and a bit of the fourth book... please continue this series of videos.. :) thanks

[@MRayner59]

Looking forward to the TV series that's supposedly in the works.

[@mad7206]

I think this will be my next set of audible books on amazon