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)

Captivating

I found this book spellbinding, and completely engrossing. I listen on the drive to and from work, and I find myself trying to stretch the ride out so I can hear more of this incredible saga. It's refreshing to hear about all those ideas that were introduced in Dune, but not explained. Now, instead of wondering why Man rose against the Thinking Machines, as well as the clash between the Atreides and Harkonen Houses, the pieces fit together. I'm very happy to have picked this one up.

Much better than I expected

What made the experience of listening to Dune the most enjoyable?

Scott brick rocks. I like the story line. It's not the best thing yet but it's really good

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like the titans

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

It's worth it. It's a mix of transformers dune and religion books all In one

Best Dune Book since original trilogy

Goes back to the spirit of the first book. The chronology of this book is a prequel to all of the original series, and to the more recent series.. House Harkoness, Atreides, and Corrila.

Still a must read for hardcore fans

Narrator is 10/10 and almost makes up for the literary flaws. Characters are cardboard, motivations are elided, and Brian uses a much heavier hand than Frank. But if you're a Dune fan like I am you don't care about this review and just want to hear the story of the Butlerian Jihad. And it does what it says on the tin.

Good entertainment

The book does a good job of its primary purpose, which is to entertain. I enjoyed the character development, and was left waiting for the next part.

Interesting and surprisingly enjoyable

I thought it was written similarly to the original dune novel, and it is a perfect history of dune. I enjoyed the realistic thoughts and motivated story.

Even better than first Dune books

An outstanding piece.

If you appreciate a good fight of humans agains evil thinking machines, make sure to listen to this book.

Thorough concepts and philosophies that authors go over in the book make prelude to the battle fascinating. It is not just about the fight itself, but the underlining assumptions and motives, that make the story deep and almost real.

One of the best books I have read so far.

Performance is also great, I especially love the impersonation of Erasmus, adds very natural inquisitive evil colour to the character.

So much has been explained about the Dune world that it is a must for all Dune fans.

Great book. Cheesy narration.

I read the book before I listened to it. I remembered it being fantastic. I didn't feel the same about the audio version. I realized the problem was a slightly melodramatic narrator. Not horrible, just overdoes it a bit. Nevertheless, I HIGHLY recommend this trilogy. Especially if you've always loved Dune. 10,000 years before Dune, it sets the stage in so many ways. How did body shields come to be? How did the Bene Gesserit begin? Who was the first Mentat and how did they learn? Where did the Fremen come from and how did they get that name? How did Suk doctors begin? Who was the first guild navigator and how did that become a thing? How did the Spice become popular? Why do Atreides and Harkonnens hate each other?
The stories behind all this are very well written in this trilogy.

A good listen, but nothing like Frank Herbert.

Scott Brick is awesome, as always. He definately made the story much more enriching than you would expect for a somewhat average story.

A little redundant near the end.

Was an awesome story over all but gets a little redundant twords the end almost like a new writer truck over.