Forward The Foundation

Forward the Foundation (1993) is a novel written by Isaac Asimov. It is the second of two prequels to the Foundation Series. It is written in much the same style as the original novel Foundation, a novel composed of chapters with long intervals in between. (Both books were first published as independent short stories in science fiction magazines.)

The parallels between Hari Seldon and Isaac Asimov found in this book—the last one written by Asimov—and the focus on Hari Seldon as he grows old and dies, strengthen the idea that Asimov considered Seldon his literary alter ego. Many regard some of the thoughts and opinions expressed by Seldon in this book as autobiographical; a double reading of Forward the Foundation may shed light on Asimov's inner thoughts at the end of his life.