The flaw in the Foundation series is that it is a series based around great ideas, but few intriguing characters. It’s for this reason that Foundation and Empire is the Foundation novel that holds up best.  It has the most story and the most interesting characters. 

The Mule was a great creation that threw some needed conflict into Asimov’s galaxy rebuild masterpiece.  The flaw of Psychohistory as we understand it, is that individuals cannot be predicted, only the actions of large populations.  With the addition of The Mule, Asimov found a way to make Seldon and his plan not seem so infallible, in a way Foundation never did.  For that reason, Foundation and Empire is the Foundation novel that most stays with me to this day. 

(Felan’s Rescue Available in all formats August 19, 2022. E-book Preorders Available now)