Foundation (Publication Order)

Entries in series order

• #1 Foundation - Book · 1951
• #2 Foundation and Empire - Book · 1952
• #3 Second Foundation - Book · 1952
• #4 Foundation's Edge - Book · 1982
• #5 Foundation and Earth - Book · 1986
• #6 Prelude to Foundation - Book · 1988
• #7 Forward the Foundation - Book · 1982

Reviewed orders

Reviewed 2026-10-15.

Series timeline

Story timeline: the two prequels Asimov wrote last, Prelude to Foundation (1988) and Forward the Foundation (1993), follow Hari Seldon before the Foundation exists, so they come first. The original trilogy and its two sequels, Foundation's Edge and Foundation and Earth, then follow in order.

1. Prelude to Foundation
2. Forward the Foundation
3. Foundation
4. Foundation and Empire
5. Second Foundation
6. Foundation's Edge
7. Foundation and Earth

Sources: Wikipedia: Foundation series, Wikipedia: Foundation universe (chronological order by narrative), The Mary Sue: The ultimate Foundation reading guide, Gizmodo: Isaac Asimov's Forward the Foundation