Reading Order
This is really about the reading order for Isaac Asimov’s well-known Foundation science fiction book series (the “Foundation Book Series Reading Order”). Of course, there is debate about which books are even part of the book series! Any suggested reading order needs to consider that the reader’s dedication may waiver as they progress through the series. To allow for this, it is important to cover the minimum introductory material while progressing quickly to the main narrative.
How did I end up writing a description of my preferred Foundation series reading order? I first had the notion of starting a blog to document (ie, document for myself, if nobody else) the results of my investigation into rechargeable batteries… That would probably be on the order of nearly two decades ago. Since then, the task has been much better-handled by others (https://www.candlepowerforums.com/, for example). The notion of starting a blog next entered my head after settling on a reading order for Chronicles of Narnia, which I read to my kids; that makes for about a decade ago. (I’ll accept as reasonable any reading order that starts with LWW). Most recently, my spouse and I decided to read Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series of stories. Finally, I guess now the hurdle has been crossed and the silly blog notion has become a reality. We’ll see.
The One True Foundation Book Series Reading Order
There’s no shortage of suggested reading order lists for the Foundation series. As always, debate exists over whether to follow the internal chronology or to follow the publishing order. Since Asimov’s writing style changed significantly over the long course of his highly prolific writing career, the debate has an extra variable to consider: namely the impact of jarring style changes between some of the books. There’s certainly no one right answer. I suggest that some of the answer depends on how committed the reader is to the series! For example, is there a risk you’ll stop after the first three books? If so, let’s not bother with the preliminary Empire series!
Here’s an attempt to create my Foundation Series Reading order. I’ve thrown in one book that is often excluded from the series. Asimov references this book in the series, arguably just to sell more copy by linking the book to the series. However, I have bowed to author’s commercialism and included it. I feel no guilt, for reasons explained in its respective slot at the end.
The Ordered List!
- I, Robot
This is your homework, and it’s not really optional. It may even not be entirely enjoyable.
Most lists recommend The Complete Robot, but I’m not so enamoured with short stories that I felt it necessary to do the extra homework. The I, Robot stories will give you a sense for the Laws of Robotics. Why read more if you don’t need to? But, if you enjoy short stories, then by all means, grab The Complete Robot!
- The Stars, Like Dust
- The Currents of Space
- Pebble in the Sky
Here is the first tricky question: are you committed to reading the series? If yes, then plough through these three. They’re short, and enjoyable. Of them, I found The Currents of Space to be the weakest of the three; it also seems to add the least to the overall Foundation Trilogy. If you only read one, then I suggest The Stars, Like Dust, simply for its beautiful imagery of the initial foray into space exploration. However, if you’re unsure of your commitment to reading the series, then skip these three entirely to be sure you get to the meat of the matter.
In my case, I read these three after the main Foundation novels. However, I think I would have appreciated the series more if I had read them first, in the order listed above.
- Prelude to Foundation
- Forward the Foundation
- Foundation
- Foundation and Empire
- Second Foundation
I’m following the internal chronology here, and it was an easy decision. Some sources suggest following the publishing order, and I will acknowledge that there is a pretty jarring and sudden style transition after Forward the Foundation. It’s easy to get disoriented by the style transition, but stick with it — it’s worthwhile. I am strongly in favour of following the internal chronology here. For these books, Asimov deals in mystery and narratives, and both will suffer if you follow the published order. Mystery, for obvious reasons. Narrative because Prelude and Forward both go to great lengths to explain the science that Harry Seldon is developing, and following the published order removes the development and replaces it with a fait accompli.
It’s a bit tough to stop after Second Foundation, but I will explain my reasoning shortly.
If you’ve gotten this far and are still looking for more, then it’s time to go back to earlier in the internal chronology.
- The Caves of Steel
- The Naked Sun
- The Robots of Dawn
- Robots and Empire
The internal chronology places these four books very early, but I’ve left them until nearly the end since the reader with foreknowledge of the Foundation universe will have, I believe, a much greater appreciation and understanding of what the events in these books portend. I acknowledge it will be a bit jarring to switch suddenly to “detective” novels, but this interlude will reward the reader as each story sheds some additional light onto Harry Seldon’s universe and in that way, surprisingly, makes the universe seem a little bit closer to you.
As of this writing, Robots and Empire is not available in ebook. However, since you’ve read this much of the series, you owe it to yourself to track down a paper copy. It will provide a bit of necessary glue to the series. Plan in advance, though — since it is a paper copy, you will not be able to hit the “Buy” button in your e-reader. It’s tempting to skip this one since it is paper only … but don’t. I don’t think it’s possible to understand how these books tie-in to the bulk of the Foundation series without reading Robots and Empire. There’s also a minor tie-in to the end of the Foundation series (although I will admit it feels like a forced tie-in, mostly as an attempt to increase book sales).
- Foundation’s Edge
- Foundation and Earth
It is not really possible to separate these two, although Foundation and Earth is clearly the weaker of the pair. I prefer placing Foundation and Earth after the Robot series for three reasons: first, the general weakness of Foundation and Earth; second, to appreciate the finality of Foundation and Earth; third, the tie-ins feel a bit less forced this way. Since Foundation’s Edge cannot be separated from Foundation and Earth, it’s clear that this pair belongs here in my overall ordering.
Not quite done yet.
- The End of Eternity
I struggled with whether to put this first or last. Many lists exclude it altogether, but the narrative in Foundation’s Edge makes it clear that this is to be viewed as part of the series. Besides, it is an enjoyable novel. It probably should go first, perhaps even before I, Robot. I wasn’t quite daring enough to do that today, but if you enjoy books and time travel and imagination, then go ahead and read this one first, even before I, Robot. I doubt you’ll regret it.
And there it is — my own suggested reading order for the Foundation “trilogy”. Enjoy the journey!
