The Currents of Space

Galactic Empire, Book 2

By: Isaac Asimov

Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom

The second book in the Galactic Empire series, the spectacular precursor to the classic Foundation series, by one of history's most influential writers of science fiction, Isaac Asimov.

Trantor had extended its rule over half the Galaxy, but the other half defied its authority, defending their corrupt fiefdoms with violence and repression. On the planet Florina, the natives labored as slaves for their arrogant masters on nearby Sark. But now both worlds were hurtling toward a cataclysmic doom, and only one man knew the truth - a slave unaware of the secret knowledge locked inside his own brain.

Rik had once been a prominent scientist until a psychic probe erased all memories of his past. Now he was a humble laborer in the kyrt mills of Florina. Then the memories began to return, bringing with them the terrible truth about the future - a truth that his masters on Sark would kill to keep secret...even at the cost of their own survival.

©1952, 2010 Isaac Asimov (P)2020 Random House Audio

The entire background

I’m excited to state that I am very happy with listening to this because they give so much more background and understanding now to why two places hated each other

Good story.

Good story a bit too much scientific explanation towards the end. Great narrator. I recommend

it's asimov

probably read the series 3 times going to listen now as it's been several years.

The continuity of the series

This was a great sci-fi book, dated yes, but in the hands of the master.

Classic Sci-Fi from Asimov

Doesn't feel like "book 2" of this little series. It's just another story set in the same literary universe as the other books in the pre-Foundation series.

I liked this one a little more than the first, although I was a little saddened that it wasn't a straight continuation of the narrative set up in the first book about a hidden planet in the horsehead nebula.

I enjoyed the way he titled each chapter. Like other Asimov I've read, there's a hint of an accomplished writer putting a literary exercise in front of him as a means to format or structure the story in an entertaining way.

Like most golden age sci-fi, the characters are a little flat, the scope wide, the focus universal, and the victory is one for the whole human race.

It was good but not great. This wasn't the best book I've read from the "Big 3 Authors of the Golden Age of Sci-fi," but it wasn't the worst either. I've read every book that Arthur C Clarke ever wrote and I've loved it all. Now I'm working through everything that Asimov ever wrote. This book showed me that I will continue to enjoy his writing style even if I get a little bored in a chapter or 2.

Only direct critiscm of this book is that it did lag once or twice during a slower chapter. Lots of build up and mystery and not as much big payoff as it could have. In terms of tension nd release, it felt like Asimov was trying to build a ton of tension and a noir-like "who done it" mystery. I either felt like I wasn't as invested in the tension building as the author intended or I felt like the release of the tension before building new conflicts in the next chapter didn't always deliver. Storyline felt a little jerky in that way. Lots of running away and mystery and then a quick pause of "now what?"

4 out of 5. Not bad but not great. Read it if you like Asimov or if you're trying to read everything he ever wrote. Skip it if you're looking for harder science and more action.

Asimov’s Relevance Holds Strong

Over half a century since this book was written, and it holds fast to its relevancy and influence despite the progression of the world it was written for. There are clear signs of the time in which it was written, but even they are not as jarring or atrocious as other works of the same decade. Asimov wrote with a compelling and intellectual hand, and his passion for the galaxy he envisioned is as clear as the messages he conveyed in his prose.

Good second installment of the trilogy

Slow start but as with all Asimov it builds to a point where you can’t stop listening.

Asimov's greatest novel

This is by far the best Galactic Empire novel and perhaps Asimov's greatest of all time. Please read/listen!

Not much connection

I enjoyed the story but I was expecting a more connected universe between books one and two.

Before The Foundation

Excellent story read by a versatile storyteller giving insight in how one slowly becomes a Galactic Empire.