Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview
  • Foundation and Empire

  • By: Isaac Asimov
  • Narrated by: William Hope
  • Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,035 ratings)

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Foundation and Empire

By: Isaac Asimov
Narrated by: William Hope
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST ALL-TIME SERIES

The Foundation series is Isaac Asimov’s iconic masterpiece. Unfolding against the backdrop of a crumbling Galactic Empire, the story of Hari Seldon’s two Foundations is a lasting testament to an extraordinary imagination, one that shaped science fiction as we know it today.

The First Foundation survived two centuries of barbarism as the once-mighty Galactic Empire descended into chaos. Now it mist prepare for war against the remnants of the Empire as the Imperial fleet advances on their planet, Terminus.

Hari Seldon predicted this war; he even prepared his Foundation for it. But he couldn’t foresee the birth of the mutant Mule. In possession of a power which reduces fearsome opposition to devoted slaves, the Mule poses a terrible threat to Seldon’s Foundation.

©2019 Isaac Asimov (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

Dune cover art
Hyperion cover art
Children of Time cover art
Exile cover art
The Silmarillion cover art
2001 cover art
Shadowline cover art
Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City cover art
Ringworld cover art
Atlas Shrugged cover art
Star Trek, New Frontier cover art
Star Trek: Exodus - The Vulcan's Soul Trilogy, Book 1 (Adapted) cover art
Outcast cover art
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 1, 1929-1964 cover art
The Mote in God's Eye cover art
Anathem cover art

Critic reviews

"One of the most staggering achievements in modern SF." (The Times)

"Isaac Asimov was one of the great explainers of the age. It will never be known how many practising scientists today, in how many countries, owe their initial inspiration to a book, article, or short story by Isaac Asimov." (Carl Sagan)

"Asimov displayed one of the most dynamic imaginations in science fiction." (Daily Telegraph)

What listeners say about Foundation and Empire

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    730
  • 4 Stars
    236
  • 3 Stars
    57
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    674
  • 4 Stars
    183
  • 3 Stars
    31
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    609
  • 4 Stars
    209
  • 3 Stars
    59
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

a brilliant book from 1952 which feels like it could have been written in 2020

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Seldan says...

Change of pace from the first but still enjoyable. A fantastic psychological world worth exploring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I have really enjoyed this version of th trilogy more than others I have previously listened to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

outstanding

this second book in the foundation series is pure class just as enthralling and captivating as the first book with surprises and suspense throughout. Asimov was a master of his craft and the performance of William hope through the series is impeccable. I highly recommend this series to any sci fi or political thriller fan

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great sci-fi book

The narrator turns from initially being a bit annoying, to a totally addictive and irreplaceable. Looking forward to listening to the third part.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent

great continuation to the story, subtle political maneuvers, and a plot thrilling to the very end. can't wait for the next

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Classic Sci-Fi epic Surprisingly Enjoyable

second in the original trilogy of books by Asimov, this book was an improvement on the first (which I enjoyed the immediacy of). It comprises of two novellas linked by the continuing story arc of the Foundation, and the predictions of Hari Selden from the first book. Of the two novellas I found the second more interesting, with the amusing twist at the end and the set-up (I hope) for book three. Asimov's writing is surprisingly fresh and engaging for a book written when my father was but a boy. The underlying themes are interesting yet not overly heavy, and so much sci-fi that was to follow took inspiration from this book I can see why it earned its status.
for the Audio book, the narration was great. definitely one of the better narrators I've listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just as great as the first was

William Hope made this as well as enjoyable as I enjoyed the first one, and I am sure, as I will the third one.
The story is great and fascinating, the reading and the many different personalities the reader gave to the roles using his voice and undoubtful talent just completely carried me away.
I just can't wait to start the third part of this wonderful trilogy.
I recommend to all who loves a good, calssic science-fiction story, it won't dissappoint.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very nice story and great narrator!

I loved the character of Magnifico! excited for the next book
the story went by quite fast to me, definitely didn't feel like that many hours

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Throughly enjoyed the story along with the plot lines. Written so long ago but it still seems relevant even now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!