The second 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 Trantor had extended its rule over half the Galaxy, but the other half defied its authority, defending their corrupt fiefdoms with violence and repression. On the planet Florina, the natives labored as slaves for their arrogant masters on nearby Sark. But now both worlds were hurtling toward a cataclysmic doom, and only one man knew the truth--a slave unaware of the secret knowledge locked inside his own brain. Rik had once been a prominent scientist until a psychic probe erased all memories of his past. Now he was a humble laborer in the kyrt mills of Florina. Then the memories began to return, bringing with them the terrible truth about the future--a truth that his masters on Sark would kill to keep secret . . . even at the cost of their own survival.
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"a local government controls a commodity and enslaves the natives; a native rebellion is stirring; an empire moves to topple the local government to control the commodity in the name of peace; and, a scientist predicts global extinction... IN SPACE!"
— Brandon (4 out of 5 stars)
" I'm reading Asimov according to his own published reading list. It's quite a jump between Robots & Empire and this according to the story chronology, and also a big jump back in time according to publication date chronology. It's interesting how one somewhat unexplained fact, like Earth being radioactive, could be woven so tightly into a story written after, but set earlier than this one. This has been something I've noted about many sci-fi series before. If I ever write anything, I'll be sire to include some big plot element that is never explained, so that I may write stories chronologically earlier that give depth to chronologically later stories already written. "
— Cory, 2/18/2014" Classic Asimov. Written in the same universe as the Foundation Trilogy... Trantor, myths of Earth, the origin of Humanity. This is a thrilling murder mystery with all the best elements of classic Sci-Fi. And, it's a quick read! "
— William, 2/14/2014" The story was better than The Stars, Like Dust, but I'd still recommend other Asimov "
— Neil, 1/30/2014" The story take place on the word of Florinia, the only source in the universe of precious kyrt. The inhabitant are subjugated and kept in ignorance by the Sarkite. Things start to change when a scientist is found on Sark with his memories wiped because dangerous for the universe balance. Asimov wrote some extraordinary books, as well as some so-and-so ones. This book sits in the middle. It is well-written and quite entertaining, but it is not as memorable or powerful as others like pebble in the sky. "
— Marco, 1/26/2014" This is classic Science Fiction from the early 50's. And yet, it raises issues of skin color and class attitudes. "
— Phil, 1/17/2014" One of Asimov's earliest novels, it still holds up pretty well. It's the story of one planet being enslaved by another and the attempts of the slaves to break free. "
— Chris, 1/9/2014" Over half a century later and Asimov's novels still hold up. What's more, they still have things to teach us. "
— Ryan, 1/2/2014" Great book!Now I have only to read the stars like dust to complete the Galactic Empire series.I love Asimov.Now I am curious to know if currents of space really exist.Such an interesting concept. "
— Lena, 12/31/2013" When I finished this, I was surprised to see it was written in 1952, and not later. That might be because I'm not a scientist. But I do feel Asmiov has a truly timeless quality to his writing, particularly in his understanding of people. "
— treva, 12/13/2013" (Finished 2010-09-28 22:45:19.4 EDT +/- 0.13s) "
— Raja99, 6/2/2013Isaac 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.