Considered by many to be the greatest science-fiction series of all time (at least the original trilogy). In the far future, psycho-historian Hari Seldon has created an avenue of mathamatics that can predict the general sweep of future history. Seldon predicts the Galactic Empire will fall, leading to a long period of chaos and barbarism. But Seldon has a plan--create a society and storehouse of the civilization and knowledge of the Empire to help shorten the gap to possibly only a 1000 years. This is the Foundation. But Seldon has a different plan for the Foundation, one that he keeps secret from the Empire that creates the Foundation as well as the scientists who become a part of it. The story examines the creation of the Foundation and two of the first several crisis the Foundation faces. It also looks at how the Foundation becomes the only nuclear power in the known universe and creates a form of religion in order to consolidate its power base over the various kingdoms and factions that come onto the scene. Asimov has created a fascinating future history, populated by interesting characters who all have plots within plots. The story features political mechanizations, power grabs and the creation of various factions, kingdoms and empires within its short 250 or so pages. The story holds up well, even though it's not as focused on characters as many of todays' sci-fi stories are. But it's still a good read and one that I enjoyed.