Prelude to Foundation – Isaac Asimov

The history of man has always dated back in time and we have only looked back at moments we cherish in our life. Incidentally the reference of time in the book is such that one must look forward to look back! Sci-Fi books or movies have never failed to thrill us. But only a few remain to see the times in their pages. One such series is the Foundation series by Asimov. This book had made a twelve thousand year jump in time, dated 12,020 G.E(Galactic Era). Quite faraway, that a bridge was always pending. Prelude to Foundation was more than the bridge Foundation readers needed, it just strengthened the Foundation cult that was receiving a huge following.

Now, you may wonder how i got my hands on this book. The prelude to the Prelude… It’s my other birthday gift..(The last date has been extended. You can keep presenting me more books until my next birthday.)

The Prelude begins at a time well within the future(wrt our present time). The Galaxy consisting of 25 million worlds with about a quadrillion humans altogether, is governed by a single Emperor. This civilization is known as the Empire.

The administrative center of the Empire is situated at a world called Trantor. This is the power centre of all the 25 million worlds. Seems too centralized and smells trouble right? You are right, only that the trouble you were thinking is million times bigger. The Emperor also knows this, he is nothing more than a figure head. Nonetheless, he has been holding it together with the help and supreme intelligence of his aide Eto’ Demerzel. In the meanwhile, Hari Seldon, a not so well to do mathematician from Helicon sets foot on Trantor. His visit involves a paper on psychohistory. Before you start scratching your heads, psychohistory is a branch of mathematical study that can predict the future with probabilties accurately provided we start at the right point in time and with the right set of variables.[geek stuff, I agree!!] He finds contentment with the theoretical publication and wishes to move on with more abstract maths. When all goes smoothly, we can hear the sounds of thunder and stormy winds in our heads, like in Shakespearean plays. This psychohistory has caught the eyes of the Emperor and he has plans for Seldon. Predicting future translates so beautifully to better control of the Galaxy. Even our dim-witted Emperor could get that far. From here on, Seldon finds himself in action and adventure in his path of creating history and predicting future.

Now for my movie recommendations. When its famous losing competitior in Hugo Awards for Best All-Time series LOTR became a hit in the theatres, why not someone try Foundation series for a script. I understand that the art direction, visual effects will have a challenge ahead. Spielberg, I hope you reading my blog!