Isaac Asimov’s first novel in the ‘Foundation’ series is a must read for all who enjoy science-fiction literature, and even those who would not normally read such material. The text is of a simple style, and manouvered using fast-paced storytelling and plot-twists to leave the reader wanting more after it’s fairly short 240 pages. Luckily this is the first in the original Foundation trilogy, and only a small part of the expansive 40-year Foundation Series.

The focus of the story is a group of scientists called the ‘Encyclopedists’, who are trust in the rebuilding of the 12′000 year old Galactic Empire which is facing a long and drawn-out demise. Situated at one edge of the Milky Way, these pioneers proceed through an array of religious-scientific methods to bring about the Second Galactic Empire in 1′000 years, far short of the 30′000 predicted by their founder, Hari Seldon, if his knowledge of ‘Psycho-history’ is not embraced to engineer this transition.