Isaac Asimov's "Foundation Trilogy" pioneered many of the familiar themes of modern SF, and the sheer sweep of his "future history" shaped many if not most of the writers who followed him.

With the permission - and blessing - of the Asimov estate, three of today's bestselling SF writers, Gregory Benford, Greg Bear and David Brin, have conspired to complete the epic saga the beloved Grand Master left unfinished.

This is the first instalment of The Second Foundation Trilogy.

Benford kicks off exploring the beginnings of the Foundation itself and its creator, Hari Seldon. Seldon is working on a project to ease the inevitable collapse of the universe-spanning Empire and the Dark Ages that will ensue. But the current emperor has other plans, like appointing Seldon first minister and thus thrusting him into a world of political intrigues and assassination attempts that ultimately will bring him up against future history's greatest threat.