Title: Second Foundation

Author: Isaac Asimov

Pages: 256

Hi all,

If you’ve managed to get through the first two novels with me so far (Foundation (029-2020) and Foundation & Empire (022-2021)) then this third novel is the exciting continuation of the story the has played off so far in the Galactical spheres.

In the prior novel (Foundation & Empire) the journey had ended with the Mule taking over the as ruler of the planet Kalgan and expanding to include planet Terminus (the First Foundation’s headquarters) as one of its tributary planets.

In this book the novel continues on his path with the objective of finding the Second Foundation, currently run “apparently” by psychologists, and thus represent a threat to the Mule, who managed to grow and hold on to his current empire through mind control/alteration. For six chapters you will follow Captain Pritcher and a new recruit, Bail Channis who are ordered to search new planets for the Second Foundation. However, the Mule, after conducting search for 5 years, suddenly ceases his search, and then retreats to his capital to run his empire as it is. He does so for another five years before overcoming to an illness.

In the second part of the novel half a century has passed since the Mule has passed away and we turn our attention to a small group of scientists on Terminus. They have gathered in the home of Dr. Darell, the ancestor of Bayta Darell from book two. The topic of discussion is the Second Foundation. Their objective is to find out where it is located since they believe that they are influencing people in important positions so that history follows Seldon’s Plan since it previously deviated from its path since the rule of the Mule.

Dr. Darell has a daughter, Arcadia who is as interested in the topic as the other attendees, listens in on their discussion via a receiver she had built herself. They plan to send one of their members to the planet Kalgan to visit the library of the planet in the hopes that there are records which explain why the Mule had suddenly stopped their plans of expansion. Arcadia secretly joins Homir Munn (the renound librarian from the Foundation) which at first surprises him but eventually improves their cover of wanting to collect data of a sensitive nature.

The Lord of the planet Kalgan makes plans for invading the Foundation, believing himself to be the builder of the Second Empire. He takes Homir Munn as hostage, but requires him to continue his research into the archives to search for the Second Foundation. Arcadia manages to escape capture and heads to planet Trantor, the former capital of the First Galactical Empire, in order to evade the Lord of Kalgan, as well as the spies of the Second Foundation. She stays with a couple (Preem Palver and Mrs. Palver) while war is being waged on the Foundation.

As the war progresses it becomes increasingly apparent that Kalgan does not have a superior fleet to overpower the Foundation. Eventually they surrender and Kalgan has to surrender most of its surrounding planets and reduce it’s fleet size as part of the war treaty.

• As a side note, very similar to the peace treaty from the First World War (or The Great War) from 1914 – 1918

Meanwhile, the small group of scientists have managed to narrow down their search for the planet the is home of the Second Foundation. At least, that is what they believed. One suggested it to be Kalgan, the other suggested it to be Terminus itself.

In the end, neither of these ends up being the correct planet, but another planet entirely. And the leader of the planet is not someone that I would have expected until I read it in the very last line of the book. Therefore, if you would like to know which planet is the Second Foundation, or who their leader is, then you will need to read the book to obtain that classified information haha :).

Summary:

The book picks off very nicely from the previous book and continues the mystery very well who and where is the Second Foundation. We learn more about the people from the Second Foundation, how they managed to continue to remain hidden so long and how they managed to alter events to return the history of the galaxy towards the path of the Seldon Plan. The book receives a rating of 4.3/5.

Have a good one!