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Open Prelude to Foundation
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Prelude to Foundation

Isaac Asimov • 1987

13 pages30 min

Hari Seldon, a provincial mathematician, arrives on Trantor to present psychohistory, a theoretical science capable of predicting large-scale societal movements. He quickly becomes embroiled in Imperial politics, pursued by Emperor Cleon I and rival factions like the House of Wye. Protected by the mysterious Dors Venabili and secretly guided by Chetter Hummin (who is revealed to be the ancient robot R. Daneel Olivaw), Seldon journeys through Trantor's diverse sectors, uncovering ancient legends and recognizing the planet as a microcosm of the entire Galaxy. Through these experiences, he achieves a breakthrough, making psychohistory a practical tool to guide humanity through the Galactic Empire's inevitable decline, under the watchful eye of the immortal robot.