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Quick answer: If you loved Foundation, read Isaac Asimov's I, Robot and The Caves of Steel, then Dune, Rendezvous with Rama, Hyperion, Ender's Game and The Left Hand of Darkness. All are classic science fiction about civilisations, ideas and the future.
Isaac Asimov's Foundation, published as stories in the 1940s and as a book in 1951, follows Hari Seldon's science of psychohistory, which predicts the fall of a galactic empire and plans a shorter dark age. It is a book of ideas rather than action. The books below offer similar classics of big-picture science fiction.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperion | Dan Simmons | Adult | space opera |
| The Left Hand of Darkness | Ursula K. Le Guin | Adult | social science fiction |
| Ender's Game | Orson Scott Card | Ages 12+ | military science fiction |
| Foundation | Isaac Asimov | Adult | political sweep |
| I, Robot | Isaac Asimov | Adult | the original |
| The Caves of Steel | Isaac Asimov | Adult | more Asimov |
| Nine Tomorrows | Isaac Asimov | Adult | readers who like Asimov's short fiction |
| Dune | Frank Herbert | Adult | epic space politics |
| Rendezvous with Rama | Arthur C. Clarke | Adult | mystery spacecraft |
| Childhood's End | Arthur C. Clarke | Adult | first contact |
| 2001: A Space Odyssey | Arthur C. Clarke | Adult | monolith mystery |
| Starship Troopers | Robert A. Heinlein | Adult | military sci-fi |
| The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress | Robert A. Heinlein | Adult | lunar revolution |
| Consider Phlebas | Iain M. Banks | Adult | the Culture start |
| Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | Philip K. Dick | Adult | what makes us human |
1. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Seven pilgrims tell their stories on a journey to a mysterious planet. Rich and ambitious.
Best for: space opera.
2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
An envoy to an icy world explores gender and politics. Thoughtful and moving.
Best for: social science fiction.
3. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
A gifted child is trained to fight an alien war. Fast and morally complex.
Best for: military science fiction.
4. Foundation by Isaac Asimov
A mathematician predicts the fall of a galactic empire and plans to shorten the dark age. A classic of political science fiction.
Best for: political sweep.
5. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Linked stories about robots and the Three Laws, as told by robopsychologist Susan Calvin. Clever and classic.
Best for: the original.
6. The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
A detective and a robot partner investigate a murder in a future New York. A sci-fi mystery.
Best for: more Asimov.
7. Nine Tomorrows by Isaac Asimov
A collection of Asimov's short stories, including “The Last Question.” Clever and varied.
Best for: readers who like Asimov's short fiction.
8. Dune by Frank Herbert
A noble family takes over a desert planet and its spice. Political, philosophical and vast.
Best for: epic space politics.
9. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Humans explore an alien starship passing through. Calm and awe-inspiring.
Best for: mystery spacecraft.
10. Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
Alien overlords arrive and guide humanity toward an extraordinary future. A classic.
Best for: first contact.
11. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
A mysterious artefact leads humans toward Jupiter. Cold, mysterious and influential.
Best for: monolith mystery.
12. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
A young man joins the Mobile Infantry and fights alien bugs. Controversial and influential.
Best for: military sci-fi.
13. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
The Moon's colonists rebel against Earth. Witty and political.
Best for: lunar revolution.
14. Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
A mercenary takes part in a war between the Culture and the Idirans. Wide-ranging and witty.
Best for: the Culture start.
15. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
A bounty hunter pursues androids in a ruined world. The inspiration for Blade Runner.
Best for: what makes us human.
How to Choose
For more Asimov begin with I, Robot or The Caves of Steel. For epic worlds choose Dune or Hyperion. For hard science fiction pick Rendezvous with Rama or Childhood's End. For character-driven classics read Ender's Game or The Left Hand of Darkness. Foundation is idea-driven, so these picks suit readers who like big concepts. The Foundation series was adapted for television by Apple TV+ in 2021. Asimov also linked his robot and empire stories to Foundation, giving the universe a shared timeline.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Foundation about?
A mathematician plans to shorten the dark age after a galactic empire falls.
Who wrote it?
Isaac Asimov.
When was it published?
1951 as a book.
Is there a TV series?
Yes, on Apple TV+.
Is it action-heavy?
No, it is mostly ideas and politics.
Do I need to read the Robot books first?
No.
Is it hard?
It is easy to read but idea-dense.
What should I read next?
Try I, Robot or Dune.
Which book here is best for political sweep?
Try Foundation by Isaac Asimov, which suits readers looking for political sweep.
Which book here is best for readers who like Asimov's short fiction?
Try Nine Tomorrows by Isaac Asimov, which suits readers looking for readers who like Asimov's short fiction.
Which book here is best for first contact?
Try Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke, which suits readers looking for first contact.
Which book here is best for lunar revolution?
Try The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein, which suits readers looking for lunar revolution.