Dune : The Butlerian Jihad

Brian Herbert; Kevin J. Anderson

ISBN 10: 0553897829 ISBN 13: 9780553897821

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, 2003

Synopsis

Frank Herbert's Dune series is one of the grandest epics in the annals of imaginative literature. Selling millions of copies worldwide, it is science fiction's answer to The Lord of the Rings, a brilliantly imaginative epic of high adventure, unforgettable characters, and immense scope.

Decades after Herbert's original novels, the Dune saga was continued by Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, an acclaimed SF novelist in his own right, in collaboration with Kevin J. Anderson. Their New York Times bestselling trilogy, Dune: House Atreides, Dune: House Harkonnen, and Dune: House Corrino, formed a prequel to the classic Herbert series that was acclaimed by reviewers and readers alike. Now Herbert and Anderson, working from Frank Herbert's own notes, reveal a pivotal epoch in the history of the Dune universe, the chapter of the saga most eagerly anticipated by readers: The Butlerian Jihad.

Throughout the Dune novels, Frank Herbert frequently referred to the long-ago war in which humans wrested their freedom from "thinking machines." Now, in Dune: Butlerian Jihad, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson bring to life the story of that war, a tale previously seen only in tantalizing hints and clues. Finally, we see how Serena Butler's passionate grief ignites the war that will liberate humans from their machine masters. We learn the circumstances of the betrayal that made mortal enemies of House Atreides and House Harkonnen; and we experience the Battle of Corrin that created a galactic empire that lasted until the reign of Emperor Shaddam IV.

Herein are the foundations of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the Suk Doctors, the Order of Mentats, and the mysteriously altered Navigators of the Spacing Guild. Here is the amazing tale of the Zensunni Wanderers, who escape bondage to flee to the desert world where they will declare themselves the Free Men of Dune. And here is the backward, nearly forgotten planet of Arrakis, where traders have discovered the remarkable properties of the spice melange . . . .

Ten thousand years before the events of Dune, humans have managed to battle the remorseless Machines to a standstill . . . but victory may be short-lived. Yet amid shortsighted squabbling between nobles, new leaders have begun to emerge. Among them are Xavier Harkonnen, military leader of the Planet of Salusa Secundus; Xavier's fiancée, Serena Butler, an activist who will become the unwilling leader of millions; and Tio Holtzman, the scientist struggling to devise a weapon that will help the human cause. Against the brute efficiency of their adversaries, these leaders and the human race have only imagination, compassion, and the capacity for love. It will have to be enough.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

The Exciting Prequel to the Novels That Made Science Fiction History

Critical Acclaim for the Dune novels of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

“[Fans] rejoice in this chance to return to one of science fiction’s most appealing futures.”—The New York Times Book Review on Dune: House Atreides

“A spirited and entertaining adventure . . . . The real pleasure here comes from watching the authors lay out the plot threads that will converge in Dune.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer on Dune: House Atreides

“The second Dune series is proving to be more accessible and just as entertaining as the original.”—The Oregonian on Dune: House Harkonnen

“Extraordinarily well-developed and continually fascinating.”—Kirkus Reviews on Dune: House Harkonnen

“Anderson and Herbert draw emotional power from every character to fuel the complex political tale they tell.”—Booklist on Dune: House Corrino

“This is a good, steady, enjoyable tale...Fans who will be sorry to see the end of this series will be heartened by the hint that the Dune saga is far from over.”—Publishers Weekly on Dune: House Corrino

About the Author:

Brian Herbert, the son of Frank Herbert, is a multiple New York Times bestselling author in his own right. He is the winner of several literary honors and has been nominated for the Nebula award. His critically acclaimed science fiction novels include Sidney's Comet, Sudanna Sudanna, The Race for God, and Man of Two Worlds (written with Frank Herbert). Recently, he completed Dreamer of Dune, a comprehensive biography of his illustrious father.

Kevin J. Anderson has written twenty-nine national bestsellers and has been nominated for the Nebula Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the SFX Reader's Choice Award. His critically acclaimed original novels include Captain Nemo, Hopscotch, and Hidden Empire. He also set the Guiness world record for "Largest Single-Author Book Signing."

Scott Brick first began narrating audiobooks in 2000, and after recording almost 400 titles in five years, AudioFile magazine named Brick a Golden Voice and "one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy." He has read a number of titles in Frank Herbert's bestselling Dune series, and he won the 2003 Science Fiction Audie Award for Dune: The Butlerian Jihad. Brick has narrated for many popular authors, including Michael Pollan, Joseph Finder, Tom Clancy, and Ayn Rand. He has also won over 40 AudioFile Earphones Awards and the AudioFile award for Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense 2011. In 2007, Brick was named Publishers Weekly's Narrator of the Year.

About this edition

• Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0553897829
• ISBN 13: 9780553897821
• Binding: Unknown Binding