"This book, while self-contained, is a continuation of the Foundation trilogy, which is made up of three books: Foundation, Foundation and empire, and Second foundation"--Afterword.

At last, the costly and bitter war between the two Foundations had come to an end. The scientists of the First Foundation had proved victorious; and now they retum to Hari Seldon''s long-established plan to build a new Empire that the Second Foundation is not destroyed after all-and that its still-defiant survivors are preparing their revenge. Now the two exiled citizens of the Foundation-a renegade Councilman and the doddering historian-set out in search of the mythical planet Earth. . .and proof that the Second Foundation still exists. Meanwhile someone-or something-outside of both Foundations sees to be orchestrating events to suit its own ominous purpose. Soon representatives of both the First and Second Foundations will find themselves racing toward a mysterious world called Gaia and a final shocking destiny at the very end of the universe!

910,Lexile.

Accelerated Reader AR,UG,6.8,22.0,34783.

Hugo Award for Best Novel winner,1983

Locus Poll Award for Best SF Novel winner,1983

Nebula Award for Best Novel nominee,1982

SF Chronicle Award for Best Novel nominee,1982