Foundation vs Prelude to Foundation: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Psychohistory, Long Now Manual for Civilization, Life on other planets, American literature, Science Fiction, Fiction

Cover of Foundation

Foundation Isaac Asimov · 1951 ★★★★☆ 4.3 200 pages · ≈ 3 h 42 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Prelude to Foundation

Prelude to Foundation Isaac Asimov · 1988 ★★★★☆ 4.2 470 pages · ≈ 8 h 42 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.3 vs 4.2 — either is a safe pick by score.
Foundation is the quicker read — about 3 hours vs 8 for Prelude to Foundation.

Side by side