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Dune: The Butlerian Jihad cover art

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

Written by: Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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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

What the critics say

 

  • 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

Featured Article: Dune Audiobooks in Chronological Order


Are you looking to get lost in a breathtaking world? Discover our guide to all the audiobooks in the Dune Saga in order. The main protagonists in the trilogy are Paul Atreides and his rival, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. As global war shakes and divides House Atreides, Paul is drawn deeper and deeper into horrifying power struggles. The science fiction saga has been supplemented with numerous novels that tell the history of the battle.

What listeners say about Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty good

It was a fast read for me, so I have to admit it was above average. However I had a few issues truly believing the supposed intelligence of the machines. Although they are supposed to be intelectually superior, hardly do we we see their greater intelligence at work. They seem mostly like straightforward psychopaths who are cruel for no reason at all. The cymeks where far more interesting and terrible. Although they implacable cruelty gets a little old and one dimensional by the end of the book.
I'll keep reading though, as I found finding out the origin story of all things Dune to be fascinating.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great listen!

A captivating story from the Dune universe. Well performed by Scott Brick. Good audio quality.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great story and world building

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. the narrarator does a good job except for one LARGE aspect. He gives an awful attempt at an Irish accent to one of the main characters in the prequel trilogy, Iblis Ginjo. The accent completely ruins any scene where Iblis speaks and completely pulls me out of the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I love Duneworld

Beautiful voice . I can't wait to get the full series. So nice to hear it wherever I go.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great beginnings

As a fan of the original Frank Herbert series, this is a worthy beginnings to the legend. So much context and its own lore.

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Another score

I’ve read every single Dune book ever writer except for this trilogy and Schools of Dune trilogy. Suffice it to say I’m a mega fan working on completing my favourite story in the known universe!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing!

amazing book with even better narration
Scott brick is the voice of dune. absolutely perfect.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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What really occurs to start the Jihad.

I found this quite captivating. Was definitely nice to hear about the events that occurred with Humanity, The Titans, and Omnious. Then to see how the characters interplay to eventually start the Jihad against Thinking Machines.

Though Omnious is cold and calculating, he values logic and efficiency above all else. It won't stop until all the galaxy is under his control.

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  • Overall
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nice

great book very very good book very impressed would listen again and again and again

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  • Overall
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Great listen.

This was my first foray into the universe of Dune, not written by Frank Herbert.
Have to say that I loved it.
Brilliantly done, a seamless and well written origins story that I hope the original author would be proud of.

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