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Foundation (Isaac Asimov) books in order

by Isaac Asimov · 7 books listed so far · Adult

Order: from the publisher's numbered list (penguinrandomhouse.com)

Last checked: September 24, 2026, against penguinrandomhouse.com

Which order

The publisher numbers the books by publication (the two prequels are Books 6 and 7); the prequels come first in story order.

  1. 1 Foundation book cover by Isaac Asimov

    Foundation

    1951 · Book

    Start hereFirst book in the main order, first published in 1951.
  2. 2 Foundation and Empire book cover by Isaac Asimov

    Foundation and Empire

    Year: still checking · Book

    You searched for this book
  3. 3 Second Foundation book cover by Isaac Asimov
  4. 4 Foundation's Edge book cover by Isaac Asimov

    Foundation's Edge

    Year: still checking · Book

  5. 5 Foundation and Earth book cover by Isaac Asimov
  6. 6 Prelude to Foundation book cover by Isaac Asimov
  7. 7 Forward the Foundation book cover by Isaac Asimov

About this series: sourced facts

Each fact is shown with its source and the date it was checked.

The series at a glance

Wikidata lists 7 works as parts of this series.

Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06

Wikidata lists the publisher as Gnome Press and Bantam Spectra.

Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06

What the story is

Wikidata lists the genre as science fiction.

Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06

Beyond the books

Wikidata lists Foundation (television series), based on Foundation series.

Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06

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Common questions

What order should I read a series in?

Start with publication order, the order the books first came out. When a series also has a story order that differs, the series page shows both and says why, so you can choose.

Which book should I start with?

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