1. The Foundation Trilogy (1951-1953):
* Foundation (1951): The original story that started it all. Introduces Hari Seldon and his plan to shorten the Dark Ages using psychohistory.
* Foundation and Empire (1952): Follows the Foundation as it faces a new threat from a powerful empire.
* Second Foundation (1953): Unveils the secrets of the Second Foundation and its role in safeguarding Seldon's plan.
2. Prelude to Foundation (1988):
* Prelude to Foundation (1988): Expands upon the events leading up to the Foundation, focusing on Hari Seldon's early life and the development of psychohistory.
3. Forward the Foundation (1993):
* Forward the Foundation (1993): Chronicles events that occur between the Foundation trilogy and Prelude to Foundation. Expands upon the origins of the Foundation and the early stages of Seldon's Plan.
4. The Robot Novels (optional but highly recommended):
* I, Robot (1950): Explores the development of robots and their impact on society. Although not directly part of the Foundation series, this collection of stories is essential to understanding the broader universe Asimov created.
* The Caves of Steel (1954): Introduces the robot detective Elijah Baley and introduces a central concept that directly ties into the Foundation universe.
* The Naked Sun (1957): Continues the Baley/Daneel Olivaw storyline.
* The Robots of Dawn (1983): Further explores the relationship between humans and robots.
* Robots and Empire (1985): The final book in the robot series, which directly connects to the events of the Foundation series.
5. The Foundation's Edge (1982):
* Foundation's Edge (1982): Continues the story of the Foundation, revealing new challenges and the impact of the Second Foundation.
6. Foundation and Earth (1986):
* Foundation and Earth (1986): The final book in the main Foundation series, revealing the origin of humanity and the ultimate fate of the Foundation.
Note: This is the recommended reading order to fully appreciate the complex timeline and interconnected events of the Foundation universe. It allows you to experience the series as Asimov intended, while also understanding the origins and connections of key characters and concepts.
Additional Information:
* Other Stories: There are other shorter stories that take place within the Foundation universe, such as "The Last Question" and "The Evitable Conflict," which can be read at any point.
* "Foundation's Triumph": A short story that was part of the "Foundation's Edge" manuscript, and later published in a collection of Asimov's essays.
* New Novels: After Asimov's death, the series was continued by other authors, including "Foundation's Fear" by Greg Bear, "Foundation and Chaos" by Greg Bear, "Foundation's Triumph" by David Brin, and "Foundation's Hope" by Greg Bear. These novels are set after the events of "Foundation and Earth" and can be read afterward.
Enjoy your journey through Asimov's extraordinary universe!