The first book after the Foundation Trilogy takes place in the 5th century after Hari Seldon founded the Foundation in Terminus. Contrary to the other books this is composed of only one part or story arc that connects all the characters. The First Foundation is again suspicious of the Second Foundation intervention and the Second Foundation needs to protect itself, often referring to the Mule and Preem Palver, although they suspect of a third influence that conspires to keep the Plan to perfectly aligned with the expected course of events.

After the trilogy the focus turns to the beginning of it all, the question of origin and it clearly shows through out the story and in the tile of the next book. It's questioned if Earth exists (because to the characters it mostly myth) and how has it come to be that an entire Galaxy is colonized with Humans, and nothing else, and how does all the galaxy share a common language and common units.

Although I was expecting the remaining 500 years of the plan to be coved, in the end of this book it becomes clear that the path was set and is no longer important. It's even suggested a greater plan, a greater destiny to all. That, and the question of origin, become the main themes and are in itself very interesting although a lot more mystical than simply fictional.