Published in 1988, it belongs to the Foundation saga. This saga began as a series of eight short stories (1942–1950), which were later transformed into three novels (1951–1953); later, Asimov added four more works, the last one published posthumously, consisting of sequels and prequels (1982–1993). The book reviewed here occupies the first place in the chronology of the series’ universe. It thus serves to introduce Seldon, the mathematician who conceives psychohistory, a key concept throughout the narrative.

Like all good science fiction, it invites readers to reflect on contemporary issues: despotic power, climate change, demographic decline, nudism, feminism, and the place of religion. These themes emerge naturally, but there are no sectarian approaches; the focus of the writing is on explaining matters that had not been made clear in the original trilogy and that readers had continued to question.