Now, 33 years later, Mr. Asimov has written a new Foundation book. And I am relieved to report that it is a worthy sequel in every way. As before, the First Foundation wields the power of the physical sciences and technology, and the Second Foundation has the power to cloud men's minds and predict mass behavior through the statistical insights of psychohistory. Also as before, the fate of all humanity is at stake as these mighty adversaries clash - and the focus is on the actions of a handful of people who are earnest and articulate and likable even when they do bad things (for what seem to them good reasons). Mr. Asimov gives us adversaries but no villains; this is future history portrayed as a great game. The danger of such a concept is that the reader will cease to care who wins or loses. Mr. Asimov sustains interest by keeping us guessing just which side each player represents. He writes much better than he did 33 years ago - yet he has lost none of the verve that he brought to this series when he and the galaxy were much younger. What more could one ask?

Rare is the author who can resume a story after a pause of three decades, but Asimov has never been predictable in anything but fecundity. This is his 260th book and one of his best. Given the master's past history, it may be a prelude to a pentalogy.

After a slowish start, then, the rather talky narrative here develops into grippingly effective drama - with oodles of twisty-turny plot, an engaging cast, and some enjoyably mellow humor (Asimov whimsically manages to work in references to all his previous novels). A grandmasterly performance.