The third and final book in the Galactic Empire series, the spectacular precursor to the classic Foundation series, by one of history’s most influential writers of science fiction, Isaac Asimov After years of bitter struggle, Trantor had at last completed its work—its Galactic Empire ruled all 200 million planets of the Galaxy . . . all but one. On a backward planet called Earth were those who nurtured bitter dreams of a mythical, half-remembered past when the planet was humanity’s only home. The other worlds despised it or merely patronized it—until a man from the past miraculously stepped through a time fault that spanned a millennium, living proof of Earth’s most preposterous claims. Joseph Schwartz was a happily retired Chicago tailor circa 1949. Trapped in an incredible future he could barely comprehend, the unlikely time traveler would soon become a pawn in a desperate conspiracy to bring down the Empire in a twist of agony and death—a mad plan to restore Earth’s tarnished glory by ending human life on every other world.
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"A fine read. As a result of an error in the laboratory, a man taking a walk is flung into a distant time where millions of stars in the universe are inhabited by humans. Earth is a radioactive planet thinly inhabited and earthlings are definitely second class citizens. Social commentary is handled deftly and the science fiction is well done. Assimov is a master story teller."
— Drew (4 out of 5 stars)
" Solid conclusion to the Empire Series. Really well paced book. "
— Dave, 2/20/2014" Asimov's first novel is possibly his strongest - big ideas, a gripping plot with a surprise ending, a fascinating, fleshed-out future Earth - all without his normally over-dry writing style. "
— Arithmomaniac, 2/12/2014" This is one of my all-time favorite books. "
— Karen, 1/29/2014" One of Asimov's galactic empire series,taking place before the Foundation series. To read the whole series you should start with the Robot series first.that would be 14 books,I think I will give it a try. "
— Robert, 1/27/2014" One of Asimov's early sci-fi stories. Interesting little tale about oppression and the vastness of scale of the universe. Interesting fit with the last science book I read. Not amazing, but still pretty good. "
— Hadrian, 1/26/2014" Isaac Asimov's first published novel is a lot of fun, and seems a good introduction to his oeuvre (this is the first novel of his I've read, so I can only assume). There's something very appealing about a universe in which rationality is inextricably linked to morality, ethics and sound decision-making. He isn't the best prose writer out there (the way he jumps between POV characters from paragraph to paragraph is evidence enough), but he sets out to write an entertaining story that explores some interesting philosophical ideas, and he does so very well. "
— Zack, 1/21/2014" I don't read much science fiction, but this was so compelling. Earth has done a job on itself and the future isn't bright. A real cautionary tale. "
— Marsha, 1/15/2014" The premise of this story is so absurd that I won't bother repeating it. But this is some of the best story telling and plot-making I've encountered, of the thriller-adventure variety, so it's definitely worth a read. "
— Kevin, 12/2/2013" The felt very plot oriented and the original main character never really got his problems resolved. "
— Austin, 11/26/2013Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) was born in the Soviet Union and came to the United States in 1923. He earned his PhD in chemistry in 1948, and in 1958 became a full-time writer. His writings include the Foundation Trilogy; I, Robot; Tomorrow’s Children; and numerous works of nonfiction touching on a range of scientific topics. Among his accolades are six Hugo awards, a SFWA Grand Master Award, and high praise from such luminaries as Kurt Vonnegut, Arthur C. Clarke, and Gene Roddenberry.