The Galactic Empire is based on the ancient Roman Empire. The slow disintegration of authority and services roughly parallels that of the historical empire. Forward the Foundation differs somewhat from the earliest Foundation stories in the details it presents of the Galactic Empire's collapse. Asimov describes some conditions that are reminiscent of modern America. The failure to pick up one's own trash, littering, the failure to care for one's neighbor and community, each remind us of modern news accounts. The gradual breakdown of Trantor's infrastructure and services seems to parallel the breakdown of America's own infrastructure. Seldon is saddened by Trantorians accepting ever worsening services as a fact of life—something not even to be noticed. This could parallel experiences in many American communities. For instance, in the United States, the mail was once delivered twice a day; now mail services cost more, are unreliable...