Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov

“Second Foundation” is a science fiction novel written by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in 1953 and is the third book in the original Foundation Trilogy, following “Foundation” and “Foundation and Empire.” The Foundation Trilogy is a cornerstone of Asimov’s extensive and influential body of work in science fiction.

In “Second Foundation,” Asimov continues the saga of the Foundation, a scientific and political organization established to shorten the period of chaos that follows the collapse of the Galactic Empire. The central premise of the series revolves around psychohistory, a fictional science that combines history, sociology, and mathematics to predict large-scale future events.

The Second Foundation is introduced as a mysterious group with mental powers, seeking to guide the future of the galaxy. As the story unfolds, characters such as the Mule, a mutant with the ability to manipulate emotions, pose challenges to the Foundation’s plan.