Foundation's Fear (1997) is a science fiction novel by American writer Gregory Benford, set in Isaac Asimov's Foundation universe. It is the first book of the Second Foundation trilogy, which was written after Asimov's death by three authors, authorized by the Asimov estate.
Emperor Cleon I wants to appoint Hari Seldon as the First Minister of the Galactic Empire. Powerful Trantor High Council member Betan Lamurk opposes the independent Seldon's appointment. Seldon himself is reluctant to accept the position because of its time constraints pulling him away from the psychohistory project. The project is led by Seldon, Yugo Amaryl, and Seldon's advanced humaniform robot-spouse Dors Venabili. Seldon needs to carry favor with the emperor, however, and advises Cleon I informally. For example, Seldon suggests a decree that erases terrorists' names from records, denying them immortality, discouraging chaotic actions.
Besides the psychohistorians, much of the novel's action revolves around advanced sentient simulations (sims) of Joan of Arc and Voltaire. The sims have been recreated by Artifice Associates, a research company located in Trantor’s Dahl Sector. Artifice Associates programmers Marq and Sybil plan to use the Joan/ Voltaire sims for two money-making projects. First, Hari Seldon’s psychohistory project. Second, Trantor’s Junin-Sector “Preservers vs Skeptics Society” debate whether mechanical beings endowed with artificial intelligence should be built. And if so, whether they should receive full citizenship. The Preservers’ champion will be Joan, the Skeptics’ champion Voltaire.
Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili flee Trantor, escaping High Council member Betan Lamurk's forces. During their galactic odyssey, Hari and Dors experience virtual reality as chimpanzees on planet Panucopia. They also visit helter-skelter New Renaissance world Sark.
Meanwhile, back on Trantor, sims Joan and Voltaire escape into Trantor's Mesh (Internet). Joan and Voltaire interact with ancient aliens on the Mesh. These aliens fled Trantor's physical space when terraforming robots arrived on Trantor more than 20,000 years ago. Via Joan and Voltaire, Hari allies with the mesh aliens. The aliens aid Seldon's return to Trantor, and his defeat of High Council member Lamurk through tik-toks. The novel ends with Seldon accepting his position as Emperor Cleon's First Minister.
References
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foundation, fear, 1997, science, fiction, novel, american, writer, gregory, benford, isaac, asimov, foundation, universe, first, book, second, foundation, trilogy, which, written, after, asimov, death, three, authors, authorized, asimov, estate, cover, harper,. Foundation s Fear 1997 is a science fiction novel by American writer Gregory Benford set in Isaac Asimov s Foundation universe It is the first book of the Second Foundation trilogy which was written after Asimov s death by three authors authorized by the Asimov estate Foundation s FearCover of the Harper Prism editionAuthorGregory BenfordCover artistJ P TargeteCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSeriesThe Second Foundation TrilogyGenreScience fictionPublisherHarper PrismPublication dateFebruary 1997Media typePrint hardback amp paperback Pages624ISBN978 0 06 105638 3OCLC38587275Preceded byForward the Foundation Followed byFoundation and Chaos Plot summary EditEmperor Cleon I wants to appoint Hari Seldon as the First Minister of the Galactic Empire Powerful Trantor High Council member Betan Lamurk opposes the independent Seldon s appointment Seldon himself is reluctant to accept the position because of its time constraints pulling him away from the psychohistory project The project is led by Seldon Yugo Amaryl and Seldon s advanced humaniform robot spouse Dors Venabili Seldon needs to carry favor with the emperor however and advises Cleon I informally For example Seldon suggests a decree that erases terrorists names from records denying them immortality discouraging chaotic actions Besides the psychohistorians much of the novel s action revolves around advanced sentient simulations sims of Joan of Arc and Voltaire The sims have been recreated by Artifice Associates a research company located in Trantor s Dahl Sector Artifice Associates programmers Marq and Sybil plan to use the Joan Voltaire sims for two money making projects First Hari Seldon s psychohistory project Second Trantor s Junin Sector Preservers vs Skeptics Society debate whether mechanical beings endowed with artificial intelligence should be built And if so whether they should receive full citizenship The Preservers champion will be Joan the Skeptics champion Voltaire Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili flee Trantor escaping High Council member Betan Lamurk s forces During their galactic odyssey Hari and Dors experience virtual reality as chimpanzees on planet Panucopia They also visit helter skelter New Renaissance world Sark Meanwhile back on Trantor sims Joan and Voltaire escape into Trantor s Mesh Internet Joan and Voltaire interact with ancient aliens on the Mesh These aliens fled Trantor s physical space when terraforming robots arrived on Trantor more than 20 000 years ago Via Joan and Voltaire Hari allies with the mesh aliens The aliens aid Seldon s return to Trantor and his defeat of High Council member Lamurk through tik toks The novel ends with Seldon accepting his position as Emperor Cleon s First Minister References Edit This article about a 1990s science fiction novel is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it See guidelines for writing about novels Further suggestions might be found on the article s talk page vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Foundation 27s Fear amp oldid 1163434237, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
