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)

Enjoyed this a great deal

I came to the book Dune as a kid. I read this once before, many years ago but did. It have the time to re-read it due to work, family, etc.

This prequel does a very good job of laying a complicated foundation for the Dune series. It does what good science fiction does, it combines faraway places, characters and ideas with politics, science, religion and more and in doing so, poses great questions to consider.

The characters in this book are many and diverse. By the time the book is done, you feel you know them all. You empathize with the good and despise the bad looking forward to finding out what they will do next and what in what situations they will find themselves.

I look forward to purchasing and listening to the next book (tomorrow!)

Very well read, I hope the reader continues with this series.

still og dune even though it's not Frank doing it

one of the best of Brian Herbert stories. Has a lot of the old Dune series feel to it

the butlerian jihad

this is a great book. it gives you the story behind the original dune books. I recommend this book.

Amazing. This is my first book in the dune series.

I watched both of the dune movies and wanted more. It did not disappoint

New to series

loved it. something different that's what it made story stand out ..can't wait read more

I enjoyed it!

I have never read any of the Dune books and decided to read the series chronologically with this being the first one.
I know that there are people who don't like the ones not written by his dad but with no frame of reference or skin in the game either way, I thought it was really enjoyable!
I would definitely recommend it.

Ruined by bad performance.

Wrong narrator. Period. His cadence and tone are both too monotonous and too melodramatic for the story. He reads it like it’s being told to a three year old at story time. I just can’t take it. There’s no actual subtlety of character, just rapid fire big poetic drama.

best scifi

Best scifi book ive read in a while. Reading it chronologically for the first time. It is very well written.

I enjoyed it.

I love Frank Herbert's Dune but this was well done and I think he would be proud. As for the narration, he is no Michael Kramer but Scott Brick is a good narrator and a good fit.

greatly appreciated

Great job an amazing read that still leaves me pining for more. Though a little repetitive with the descriptive words I would say that is the only negative thing that I can surreptitiously place in this review. On the second read it was even better than first amazing job I would love to see this on the big screen and pray Deni can spark enough life into this series to keep the movies coming thank you