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)

So many interesting dynamics and questions

I loved the unique setting and world building. So many interesting character dynamics and intrigues. Though I did forget names sometimes just because of the sheer number of them, they them selves were memorable and unique.

Felt great to be back

Truly felt like the original Dune!! Brought me back with memories. And the music hype was great addition!

Pleasantly surprised!

I'm kind of loved this book. Decided to give it a shot after rewatching Dune part 1 and seeing part 2. Maybe its because Ive always heard the Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson stuff is dross and my expectations were low going in but its really good! Not quite as insightful or profound as Frank's early books but its solid and pacing is good.

Also AI is very topical right now so that gives it a bit of a boost in my mind. The robotic characters are well executed. Even the cymeks are decent antagonists, if a but goofy at first glance.

But from the characters to the setting I am pleasantly surprised. I like seeing all the budding factions, houses, technology and peoples in their earliest canonical iterations.

All this is to say if you've ever been curious about the Butlerian Jihad prequels give them a shot. Im liking fhe first one a lot more than expected.

Where to go after Dune: Chapter House

A great place to start after reading the original 6 Dune Stories by Frank Herbert! mentioned so often in the original series, Butlerian Jihad does not disappoint!

If you love Dune, you will enjoy Butlerian Jihad

I just finished reading the book and have not listened to the audio version. I enjoyed the book a great deal. It was wonderful to learn about the first person who rode a worm, and the origin of the crysknifre. Ditto on the history of the machines who took over and their struggles to learn from their programmers. I was interested to see an earlier encarnation of the Harkonnens when they were brave and noble. I am looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Atredies and Harkonnens go wrong. It was fascinating to see the distant history of the Bene Gesserit and how they developed. Likewise the contrast between the humans as slaves while also being masters was well done. Overall I was very impressed and am looking forward to the Machine Crusade.

Narration!

Scott Brick as the narrator is always top notch. Never misses a trick in his work. 😉

A most excellent book

I have been a fan of the "Dune" series for much of my life. This book is a great story, as it sets the stage for the whole series, as you see the earliest origins of all the families and organizations seen later in the series. I greatly enjoyed this book.

Original Dune is a hard act to follow

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It's no Frank Herbert Dune, but then again, it's a really hard act to follow.
I would recommend it. It's a well written book and while it lacks the depth and insight of the original book, it's still a good read.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

His performance is always great

Great start to the Dune Saga

If you love Dune (the original series of books), then you will love this first book in the prequel series. Action, love, space travel, war, murder, it's got it all. On to the 2nd book!

Awesome sci-fi adventure set in the Dune universe

This outstanding adventure follows multiple points of view from the Butlerian Jihad, thousands of years before the events of Dune.