Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

By: Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 23 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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 best-selling Prelude to Dune trilogy (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino), formed a prequel to the classic Herbert series that was acclaimed by reviewers and listeners 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 listeners: 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.

©2002 Herbert Limited Partnership (P)2002 Audio Renaissance, a Division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Science Fiction, 2003

"Offers the kind of intricate plotting and philosophical musings that would make the elder Herbert proud." (Publishers Weekly)

"Required reading for Dune fans." (Library Journal)

And so it begins.

Great backstory of the beginning of the Dune universe. I truly enjoyed how the early Harkonnan and Atreides families came to know each other and see a friendship on the horizon. I look forward to learning developments which cause the insane rift that leaves the two families mortal enemies…

The Narrator and the Excellent Story

There is nothing not to like about this story or about the retelling! higherly recommend the serious before you see the movie

Amazing Dune

all of the Dune books are worth a listen. Some are better than others. The son & cowriter did an amazing job keeping true to Dune

Outstanding prequel to Dune

I found this book to be enthralling. The characters were all highly conflicted, which made them come alive - the visionary Serena Butler, who experienced a rude awakening at the personal price one has to pay for saving mankind, Xavier Harkonnen, Vorhien Atreides vs. his father Agamemenon, Norma Senva and Theo Holtzman, and even the machine characters, Erasmus vs. Omnius. Even the Titans were well-characterized. The story was fast-paced, well-written and had many unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed it thoroughly and am completely baffled by some of the bad reviews. The reading was a little bit slow for my taste, but very clear and with good renditions of the individual characters. I highly recommend this audiobook.

So much back...

...story to the movie. Great story and I already bought the next book. very addictive!!

Better than star wars I'm a DUNEHEAD for life!

I love this!, and hope they will bring this into to new film pieces Denis villanueve is working with now, but I know it's not the original Frank Herbert, and it's way far from being even considered since it is wrote by others, but has Frank's ideas from what he wanted to do too, with the storyline of b-jihad. Brian Herbert his own son and apprentice turned master, along with the prestigious Kevin Anderson is like having Frank literally in spirit form there, that made them achieve this dream. Since Brian Herbert is on set with the director 24-7 working on the first half of this masterpiece, I would think after this movie's success ( I hope to God) and they move on to Messiah, and the other 3 books in which Denis villanueve was planning on directing after the possible box office achievement of making a successful movie, to go on with more, I can only hope , and pray to live long enough to see if he, or possibly another talented director, with another set of great actors to accomplish the prequel trilogy. I mean bbbb sake! the butlarian jihad alone would make a damn good sci fi drama with it's remarkable twists and turns, with complete unexpected emotional Sparks it has! This is a fine read, and I'm a true converted DUNEHEAD! I've read dune more than 3 times, read the house trilogy to catch up on the history of how these houses were all involved before the dune period . was fascinated with that prequel trilogy, then read the tales of dune to relax and get ready for very beginning of it all! From the butlarian jihad all the way to the last book from Frank Herberts point of view on dune with his readings on it here on audible! Thanks audible for making me happy, and giving me something to do while not at work dreading the slow office hours, they don't allow entertainment there just Pandora over the speaker, no phones allowed or any electronics. so I look forward to listen to my dune books whenever I get a chance. this gives me peace through my mornings and evenings before I go to bed. Thanks audible!

amazing beginning to a fantastic story

awsome story definitely needs to b made into a movie. the only thing is the three books would b as long or longer than Lord of The rings and requiring much more CGI making it a star wars size undertaking but it is a story which i feel needs to be told. The story displays many good values as well as how evil values can be misrepresented to be good, the eternal struggle of man and machine, man vs man, man vs nature and how the sand paper of time rubs everyone a little differently. some things in this book are or would b completely new to the big screen and could inspire a new generation into new technology and creativity. It could touch our lives like star wars but be something completely original which is something the big screen need now a days.

The Human Problem

At first, I thought there was a big hole in the story. Machines would have little interest in all the blood and gore. Then author shows how people treat each other, and I realize, the machines were programed to emulate human minds.
....not very flattering.

Amazing introduction to the world of Dune

This book is phenomenal and the voic acting was superb! This is my second time reading it and I will likey read it again.

enjoyed!

I thoroughly enjoyed the rich and vibrant Dune universe, can't wait to start the next book!