Helpful Score: 9
The making of a man and the future of a planet are intertwined in this Science Fiction classic. Paul Atreides is the heir to his Father's Dukedom on th Planet Arrakis. The planet is the key to intergalatic commerece because of its large supply of spice. As Paul completes the rite of passage from child to man a new generation make their mark and it all begins in Dune.
Rarely, does a story capture me from the beginning like Herbert does here. The characters leave an indelible mark on the reader and move the story at a brisk pace. This is not an average sci-fi story. It has many levels of religious, political and ecological overtones that still hold significant meaning in today' world. I highly reccomend this brilliant Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel.
Rarely, does a story capture me from the beginning like Herbert does here. The characters leave an indelible mark on the reader and move the story at a brisk pace. This is not an average sci-fi story. It has many levels of religious, political and ecological overtones that still hold significant meaning in today' world. I highly reccomend this brilliant Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel.
Helpful Score: 4
In book one a young Paul Atreides has been having visions. In his dreams he sees his future home, his future lover, and his future strife. His father, aware he's walking into a trap, proceeds to move from his ancestral home to a plant that most would consider an un-livable hell, were it not for the spice*. A feud dating back centuries is coming to a head. The traitorous House Harkonnen has been plotting in the shadows. One house will fall, another will rise.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
Helpful Score: 3
I had to read this for a college class and loved it. Out of 15 novels I had to read for that class, this was one of my favorites. It takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you think about how you need to pay attention to your enviorment and all that it can do for you.
Helpful Score: 2
Awesome book, one of the best I've read in a long time.
Helpful Score: 2
There are very few books that grab me the way Dune does. It's an amazing work of science fiction, and among the best books I've ever read, possibly the best.
I read Dune the first time at roughly 15 years of age, the age of Paul Atreides as the book begins. Whatever was going on in my life then, it let this book sink into me in a way few others have, and despite 30 years and innumerable re-readings, it continues to satisfy.
At one level, Dune is a science fiction story. It has a hero and a complex set of characters set against a backdrop that is foreign but understandable. At another level, Herbert went way beyond what anyone had done before. Written in 1965, Dune is an ecological novel too, telling the story of an entire planet and the people that live upon it. I understand that Herbert did something like ten years of research before writing Dune, and it shows. This is a work well ahead of its time.
A quick synopsis: Paul Atreides is the son of Duke Leto Atreides. Duke Leto has been instructed by the emperor to take possession of Arrakis, a desert planet and the only place where the spice, melange, is found. Melange has several properties, but most importantly it extends life, and it is a drug allowing altered mental states in some. For Space Guild navigators, it allows them to see far enough into the future to permit faster than light travel. For the Bene Gesserit, it permits and inward transformation so their members can access past memories.
Duke Leto, however, is opposed by Baron Harkonnen and others. Leto is killed and Paul and his mother find shelter with the native inhabitants of Arrakis, the Fremen. There Paul comes into full manhood in a hostile environment and sets about taking back that which his father lost, and then some.
With Dune, Herbert hit a peak that I am not at all sure he ever reached again. Subsequent books in the series - Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, and others were OK, but don't measure up in my estimation. Dune is a singular achievement, and stands alone.
A brief story about the first time I read Dune: It turns out that my mother was reading it while I was in school. I came home and read in the afternoons and evenings when time allowed (often) and so one night found me nearing the end of the book. Dune is large - my paperback is 537 pages - but I literally let out a cry of anguish when I learned the book ended some 50 pages shy of the cover. There were appendixes of various sorts after that point, but no more story. In the kitchen, though, I heard my mother's knowing chuckle. She'd finished the book a day or two before and knew what happened.
I read Dune the first time at roughly 15 years of age, the age of Paul Atreides as the book begins. Whatever was going on in my life then, it let this book sink into me in a way few others have, and despite 30 years and innumerable re-readings, it continues to satisfy.
At one level, Dune is a science fiction story. It has a hero and a complex set of characters set against a backdrop that is foreign but understandable. At another level, Herbert went way beyond what anyone had done before. Written in 1965, Dune is an ecological novel too, telling the story of an entire planet and the people that live upon it. I understand that Herbert did something like ten years of research before writing Dune, and it shows. This is a work well ahead of its time.
A quick synopsis: Paul Atreides is the son of Duke Leto Atreides. Duke Leto has been instructed by the emperor to take possession of Arrakis, a desert planet and the only place where the spice, melange, is found. Melange has several properties, but most importantly it extends life, and it is a drug allowing altered mental states in some. For Space Guild navigators, it allows them to see far enough into the future to permit faster than light travel. For the Bene Gesserit, it permits and inward transformation so their members can access past memories.
Duke Leto, however, is opposed by Baron Harkonnen and others. Leto is killed and Paul and his mother find shelter with the native inhabitants of Arrakis, the Fremen. There Paul comes into full manhood in a hostile environment and sets about taking back that which his father lost, and then some.
With Dune, Herbert hit a peak that I am not at all sure he ever reached again. Subsequent books in the series - Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, and others were OK, but don't measure up in my estimation. Dune is a singular achievement, and stands alone.
A brief story about the first time I read Dune: It turns out that my mother was reading it while I was in school. I came home and read in the afternoons and evenings when time allowed (often) and so one night found me nearing the end of the book. Dune is large - my paperback is 537 pages - but I literally let out a cry of anguish when I learned the book ended some 50 pages shy of the cover. There were appendixes of various sorts after that point, but no more story. In the kitchen, though, I heard my mother's knowing chuckle. She'd finished the book a day or two before and knew what happened.
Helpful Score: 1
In book one a young Paul Atreides has been having visions. In his dreams he sees his future home, his future lover, and his future strife. His father, aware he's walking into a trap, proceeds to move from his ancestral home to a plant that most would consider an un-livable hell, were it not for the spice*. A feud dating back centuries is coming to a head. The traitorous House Harkonnen has been plotting in the shadows. One house will fall, another will rise.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the trilogy in my twenties, then tweny years later reread them. The story is a classic, the writing somewhat dry. Don't see the movie. It just can't do the story justice.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't usually read science fiction books but this is really good! This is hailed as the bestselling science fiction novel of all time. It was made into a movie too.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic! SciFi Must Read!
A beautiful book - the type of story that you're sad to see end. Very excited for the rest of the series.
Along with his wife and teenaged son, Duke Leto Atreides, moves his family to another planet named Arrakis. The Atreides family is one of many powerful families fighting for political power. The duke's son, Paul, has not had the most normal upbringing. Paul has been raised to follow in his father's footsteps diplomatically. His mother has trained him spiritually. Paul and his supernatural powers will reach unusual heights.
I watched the movies before reading the book. My favorite movie was the tv series and I am looking forward to the new movies being filmed now. I think the movies from 2000 explains more of the story and it was very close to the book. Author Frank Herbert created a big world and deep characters. Even though this is the first book in the series there is so much detail between the written lines.
Usually with fictional books that have political stories or wars going on my brain loses interest and melts. I mean I read Les Miserables but skipped the war parts. I felt different with this book. I understood the reasons behind each task the people took as they were described to me in a way that made me enjoy what I was reading.
I will absolutely be reading at least the original books written before Herbert passed. I think this is a series that even those who don't like science fiction as much (like me) will enjoy.
I watched the movies before reading the book. My favorite movie was the tv series and I am looking forward to the new movies being filmed now. I think the movies from 2000 explains more of the story and it was very close to the book. Author Frank Herbert created a big world and deep characters. Even though this is the first book in the series there is so much detail between the written lines.
Usually with fictional books that have political stories or wars going on my brain loses interest and melts. I mean I read Les Miserables but skipped the war parts. I felt different with this book. I understood the reasons behind each task the people took as they were described to me in a way that made me enjoy what I was reading.
I will absolutely be reading at least the original books written before Herbert passed. I think this is a series that even those who don't like science fiction as much (like me) will enjoy.
I had always avoided the Dune books thinking that it wasn't my type of book, but I was so surprised to find that it was simply brilliant and relevent. And excellent read, wonderful characters, and a story that draws you in and makes you feel like you are part of the story.
One of the best stories ever told. Truly epic in scope and flawless in execution. Frank Herbert begins the Dune series here. Quite possibly the finest science fiction book ever written.
In book one a young Paul Atreides has been having visions. In his dreams he sees his future home, his future lover, and his future strife. His father, aware he's walking into a trap, proceeds to move from his ancestral home to a plant that most would consider an un-livable hell, were it not for the spice*. A feud dating back centuries is coming to a head. The traitorous House Harkonnen has been plotting in the shadows. One house will fall, another will rise.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
Easily one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. My only grudge with the book is how some characters are flawless 'Mary Sues'.
Dune helped create the science fiction genre. It's a must-read for any sci-fi fan, but is somewhat overrated. Or perhaps it only seems that way because it has been so frequently imitated.
From Library Journal (1999)
Dune is to science fiction what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy. Though fans believed they had bid a sad farewell to the sand planet of Arrakis upon Herbert's death in 1986, his son Brian has assumed writing the Nebula and Hugo award-winning series with the help of Kevin J. Anderson. But the original is always the most popular, and ... The book's huge fan base should expand even more thanks to a six-hour miniseries premiering on the Sci-Fi Channel later this year that is said to be more faithful to the book than David Lynch's truly awful 1984 feature film.
Dune is to science fiction what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy. Though fans believed they had bid a sad farewell to the sand planet of Arrakis upon Herbert's death in 1986, his son Brian has assumed writing the Nebula and Hugo award-winning series with the help of Kevin J. Anderson. But the original is always the most popular, and ... The book's huge fan base should expand even more thanks to a six-hour miniseries premiering on the Sci-Fi Channel later this year that is said to be more faithful to the book than David Lynch's truly awful 1984 feature film.
This was much better than the movie...most books are of course. I really enjoyed listening to this book.
An anomaly for me. The world Herbert created here is so rich and engulfing that instead of reading all the sequels I shy away from them, afraid they might taint the aftertaste of this masterpiece.
One of the great sci-fi books of all time. Dune creates a complete world that is compelling, real and fascinating. Nothing else like it.
In book one a young Paul Atreides has been having visions. In his dreams he sees his future home, his future lover, and his future strife. His father, aware he's walking into a trap, proceeds to move from his ancestral home to a plant that most would consider an un-livable hell, were it not for the spice*. A feud dating back centuries is coming to a head. The traitorous House Harkonnen has been plotting in the shadows. One house will fall, another will rise.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
Awesome book. Couldn't put it down
Im not a big fan of reading older sci-fi, or reading something that Ive seen in a movie/TV series first, I tend to be bored of these books. Not the case here, great read. Still wish I had read it before the movie though.
"An awesome world where armies clash for the power of the universe." An entertaining science fiction novel that was made into a spectacular motion picture. For the true science fiction fan.
I loved this book when I was younger and I still enjoyed it now, but this time I was noticing that Herbert doesn't just future foreshadow events, he pretty much gives them away. On the other hand, the complex universe and political system that he has created is still very impressive and I am now eager to go re-read the rest of the series.
Dune is a powerful work of incredible depth. It is engrossing and moving and I daresay by far the best book I have ever read. Herbert is a philosopher pure and simple and has put much time into the details of his fictional world, even including a detailed history of various things mentioned throughout the book such as the "Orange Catholic Bible". If you have seen David Lynch's movie, please don't judge the book on that.
Come on, it's Dune! You cannot say you are a sci-fi fan if you have not read this book.
Classic Science Fiction at its best....I know of nothing comparable to it except the Lord of the Rings!
An all-time classic. It is a great felling to pass this book on to my sons who have discovered it for the first time.
Book is older but in good condition. Dune's creation of a richly detailed world totally unlike our own. Arrakis, also called Dune, is the home of the Atreides family, the Freman people and the awesome sandworms.
Simply amazing, buy multiple copies so that you can give them away to your friends.
An amazing story! If you haven't read Dune, you should. All sci-fi fans should read Dune at least once. This is one of the 20th Century's great novels. It's my most favorite work of science fiction. I first read this over 15 years ago. The story has stayed with me all these years. The world building is amazing. This story takes place in a far flung future, but no matter the time period, humans are still the same. You can relate to what's in the story.
Each time I read the book again, I come away with some new detail, some new bit of information I didn't pick up earlier. Dune is staggering in its scope. There are plots within plots. And the characters are fascinating and well constructed. Frank Herbert has covered everything in this book from political intrigue, betrayals, action, power, greed, philosophy, religion, ecology, love...
This book is unlike any other sci-fi book. There's so much complexity to the story that so far no one has made a decent film out of it though a few have tried.
Beware that the prequels written by Frank Herbert's son aren't as good as the original.
Each time I read the book again, I come away with some new detail, some new bit of information I didn't pick up earlier. Dune is staggering in its scope. There are plots within plots. And the characters are fascinating and well constructed. Frank Herbert has covered everything in this book from political intrigue, betrayals, action, power, greed, philosophy, religion, ecology, love...
This book is unlike any other sci-fi book. There's so much complexity to the story that so far no one has made a decent film out of it though a few have tried.
Beware that the prequels written by Frank Herbert's son aren't as good as the original.
I have read dune at least 6 times. I read and reread it, as it is one of my all time favorite books. Intricate and thoughtful it is truly a masterpiece from another age.
A unique novel that lays the groundwork for future generations of science fiction writers. A truly fascinating read.
Excellent quality - and a great book.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brilliant sci-fi adventure.
sPECIAL 25TH ANNIVERSAY EDITION -Set on the desert planet Arrakis, a world more awesome than any other in leterature, DUNE begins the story of the man known as Maud'dib and of a great family's ambition to bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainble dream.
It's Dune. It rocks.
In book one a young Paul Atreides has been having visions. In his dreams he sees his future home, his future lover, and his future strife. His father, aware he's walking into a trap, proceeds to move from his ancestral home to a plant that most would consider an un-livable hell, were it not for the spice*. A feud dating back centuries is coming to a head. The traitorous House Harkonnen has been plotting in the shadows. One house will fall, another will rise.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
*The spice is a mysterious drug which is used by the wealthy to prolong life, boost the immune system, flavor meals, and provide pleasure. The drug is used by the Spacing Guild, who's navigators "swim" in a gas created from the spice and, with their mutated biology, gain a limited ability to predict the future. This is a nessissary ability since they guide ships faster than light.
This book is a "Must" for any SciFi/Adventure fan. Frank Herbert tells an epic tale that only starts with this book. When you put down this book after reading the last page I hope you feel what I felt. The story is simply amazing. While the first book feels complete you want more. However with 13 more books in the series, ("Road To Dune" I'm counting as supplemental) you have much more adventure in store.
1977 Edition. The series was written in the 1960s. The visions and writing are something to keep you entertained for hours upon end. Read it before you see the movie. Actually trade your Dune movie for the book. You'll have more fun.
NOt bad - science fiction.
A universe dependent on the spice, a drug that prolongs life. The only source of it, Arrakis, also known as Dune, where water is more precious than gold, the planet that fifteen year old Paul Atreides' father, Duke Leto Atreides, has been "given" by the Padishah Emperor. A place where giant sandworms swallow entire ships, and bands of Fremen tribesmen roam outside the city walls, rumored to be as dangerous as the Emperor's own guards ... or the spies and assassins inside the city, left by the prior "owner", the cunning Baron Harkonnen, who has vowed to destroy the Atreides line.
When a strange but powerful old woman from the mysterious Bene Gesserit comes to Paul's mother with a warning and a test, Paul discovers he may have mental abilities far beyond normal humans. When Paul's family arrives in Dune, he learns the people hope he may be their savior. When Paul's father is murdered by Harkonnens dressed in Imperial uniforms, he and his mother have no choice but to go on the run, in hopes of finding a safe place to survive. What Paul finds changes not only him but humanity's future.
Far future political intrigue, ecological science, parapsychology and adventure all mix together to produce a rich, unique story, now considered one of the classics in science fiction.
When a strange but powerful old woman from the mysterious Bene Gesserit comes to Paul's mother with a warning and a test, Paul discovers he may have mental abilities far beyond normal humans. When Paul's family arrives in Dune, he learns the people hope he may be their savior. When Paul's father is murdered by Harkonnens dressed in Imperial uniforms, he and his mother have no choice but to go on the run, in hopes of finding a safe place to survive. What Paul finds changes not only him but humanity's future.
Far future political intrigue, ecological science, parapsychology and adventure all mix together to produce a rich, unique story, now considered one of the classics in science fiction.
It's a must read for any Sci fi fan, even if it is a little overrated.
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad'Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream.
A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula award, shared the Hugo award, and formed the basis of a grand epic in science fiction.
Arthur C. Clarke said, "I know nothing comparable to it except Lord of the Rings."
A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula award, shared the Hugo award, and formed the basis of a grand epic in science fiction.
Arthur C. Clarke said, "I know nothing comparable to it except Lord of the Rings."
WARNING: This is a PAPERBACK, not a hardcover. Some idiot that listed this originally didn't check the ISBN. I have complained to paperbackswap, but I don't know if that did any good. Anyway, as far as the book, it's a great read. Dune is the story of a royal family in a galactic empire that is put in charge of the production of a rare spice on a desert planet that can give heightened awareness and longer life. They are betrayed by a rival family and the young heir to the family line must befrind the inhabitants of the planet and master his own dawning prescience to make things right. A classic book!
Tho it is listed as a HARDCOVER it is not. It is a paperback.
