Foundation's Fear

This is the first of a trilogy billing itself as the second foundation trilogy based on Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy. Although a three-book set, each can stand on its own very well.

The author explores some elements left up in the air by Isaac Asimov, and fills with more current knowledge and philosophy, such as addressing why there are no non-humans in the galaxy.

Some of the topics he addresses include expanding on Dor, who she is and giving her a little background. Her character is expanded, and perhaps changed a bit, at least from what I may have imagined. In general, he adds a lot about computers and robotics that Asimov didn't go into, or couldn't because the technology wasn't available. Philosophically, he approaches the show more topic of computer intelligence and what could constitute life. In this, Hari creates two simulated people, Voltaire and Jean of Arc, to help him understand society and to help further his psychohistory, Voltaire and Jean of Arc act as a yin and yang, who's arguments are designed to answer questions. But they evolve their own desires and take on life beyond their programming.

I found the book difficult to work through at times, but still an interesting addition to the Asimov series. I believe those fond of the Asmiov trilogy will enjoy this and find it interesting. It adds background to the trilogy and brings it a little more into the present. Otherwise I don't think it may not be worth the effort. show less

Benford says himself in the afterword that he had some questions about the Foundation trilogy - where are the aliens and what is the role of computers. He also points out that the original trilogy (not the Asimov prequels or sequels) is devoid of physical action. So he set out to answer the questions and fill in the gaps and goes overboard doing so. This just didn't feel like a Foundation novel at all and it was too long.

Foundation's Fear by Gregory Benford is the first book in a trilogy that follows Isaac Asimov's acclaimed Foundation series. Gregory Benford's background in physics comes through in overwrought detail when describing the technology and science of the Trantorian Empire. The pacing is uneven and stultifying in some sections but his action scenes move swiftly and you get a true sense of the breadth of the galaxy that Asimov painted so beautifully in his original works.

I think clearly, Benford tried to remain true to the characters but sometimes took liberties which could be interpreted as his own writing style. While every writer has his or her own style (a fact which should be celebrated, of course), I could only feel that Benford had a show more story in his head that had nothing to do with the Foundation series and adapted it, somewhat clumsily at times. show less

The main aspect of this book are AI realisations of Joan of Arc and Voltaire and the ongoing thoughts and descriptions of what is intelligence and humanity. These concepts are interesting and possibly may be seen as a continuation of Asimov's treatment of robots. However, I couldn't see the theme as presented by Benford tying in with my view of the Asimov Foundation Universe. The explanation on how aliens had made themselves into some form of AI beings and infected the human "internet" was again an interesting idea but I felt it undermined the Foundations created by Asimov - being possibly "trumped" by these secret alien beings created by Benford. I found it a hard read and only recommended for the keen Foundation reader. It has put ne show more off reading the other 2 books of the trilogy authorised by the Asimov estate. show less

This first entry into the Foundation (2) Trilogy by other authors is a mess. I would not have finished it except that I wanted to read the additional entries in the series. I had read reader reviews before I started this book, so I was prepared for it to have problems.

There are three major strands in the story. One is the attempt by the Emperor to nominate Hari as first minister. Cleon knows of Hari's work on psycohistory. This story winds its way through the 578 pages and is a relatively cogent, and readable story for most people, I think. There is intrigue and violence and plots and counter plots all involved in Hari attempt to be confirmed in the position.

A second story involves simulated intelligences inside of computer systems show more named Voltaire and Joan of Arc. This begins in a big way around page 100 and continues on and off until the end of the book. I found this storyline uninteresting and distracting from the Foundation premise and story. I did not understand a purpose or point to this storyline. The author explains after another couple of hundred pages why the sims are important to the plot of this book. But by then I had lost all interest in them, and I think they could be removed entirely from the book, with no loss of coherence or plot development.

The third major storyline involves Chimpanzees. This storyline about pans as they are called in the book starts around page 327. I was actually looking forward to this storyline since I had read that the author introduced them as a tool for Hari's development of psycohostory. Although we see a connection between the pan episodes and Hari's theory development, here again I found this storyline distracting and merely an interlude away from the main story. Again here is a major section, which I feel could have been completely excised with a resulting improvement to the plot flow.

I give this book 3 stars, because of my strong interest in Asimov world and the other two entries in this trilogy. Also, as I mentioned I found one of the storylines interesting and worth my time. But if I did not have an ulterior motive in reading this book I would not have finished it, and it would have earned less stars from me. show less

Sorry for the brevity of this review, but I've blacked out most memories of this book. What I do remember is that the protagonist Hari Seldon felt incompatible with how I (fondly) remember Asimov's character, and that the prolonged storyline about AI realizations of Joan of Arc and Voltaire seemed utterly unrelated to the Foundation world of Asimov and completely boring, to boot. Other raters have clearly liked this book, but it left me with zero interest in reading any farther in the series.

Cleon I, the galactic emperor, needs a new First Minister. He eyes Hari Seldon. However, Seldon does not desire the job, per se, as it would take him away from his work with Psychohistory. Additionally, High Council member, Betan Lamurk, opposes the offer, as he would prefer it for himself.

All the while, sims of Joan of Arc and Voltaire argue (for the purpose of Presevers vs. Skeptics Society debate) whether AIs should be built, and if so, whether they should be given equal rights.

Seldon, facing threats from Lamurk, escapes his home world, Trantor, with his robot wife, Dors. The two visit vast, new worlds that help Seldon better formulate Psychohistory. Likewise, Joan and Voltare escape into the trantor Internet, called the Mesh, and show more there encounter something long forgotten/

Recommended for fans of Foundation wishing to read more books (albeit by different authors). Not recommended for readers expecting to read another posthumous Asimov book. Those readers will hate it. show less