Children Of Dune [Mass Market Paperback]

Frank Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1977

The bestselling science fiction series of all time continues! In this third installment, the sand-blasted world of Arrakis has become green, watered and fertile. Old Paul Atreides, who led the desert Fremen to political and religious domination of the galaxy, is gone. But for the children of Dune, the very blossoming of their land contains the seeds of its own destruction. The altered climate is destroying the giant sandworms, and this in turn is disastrous for the planet's economy. Leto and Ghanima, Paul Atreides's twin children and his heirs, can see possible solutions--but fanatics begin to challenge the rule of the all-powerful Atreides empire, and more than economic disaster threatens...

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Simon Vance anchors this full-cast production.  He is engaged with the characters and the complex plot.  His presentation of the many characters is skillful, and the narrative passages never lag.  Vance has a serious but light touch…” - AudioFile

 

Praise for Dune:
“One of the monuments of modern science fiction.”—Chicago Tribune on Dune
 
“Unique…I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings.”        —Sir Arthur C. Clarke on Dune
 
“A portrayal of an alien society more complete and deeply detailed than any other author in the field has managed...a story absorbing equally for its action and philosophical
vistas.... An astonishing science fiction phenomenon.”—The Washington Post on Dune
 
“Powerful, convincing, and most ingenious.”—Robert A. Heinlein on Dune
 
“Herbert’s creation of this universe, with its intricate development and analysis of ecology, religion, politics, and philosophy, remains one of the supreme and seminal achievements in science fiction.”—Louisville Times on Dune

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Frank Herbert was born in Tacoma, Washington, and studied at the University of Washington, Seattle. He worked a wide-variety of jobs--including newspaper reporter and editor, political speechwriter, university professor, TV cameraman, radio commentator, oyster diver, jungle survival instructor, lay analyst, and creative writing teacher--before becoming a full-time writer. His first sf story was published in 1952 but he achieved fame more than ten years later with the publication in Analog of "Dune World" and "The Prophet of Dune" that were amalgamated in the novel Dune in 1965. For more, visit www.duneuaudio.com.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Berkley; 1st edition (February 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425033104
• ISBN-13: 978-0425033104
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Herbert (1920-86) was born in Tacoma, Washington and worked as a reporter and later editor of a number of West Coast newspapers before becoming a full-time writer. His first sf story was published in 1952 but he achieved fame more than ten years later with the publication in Analog of Dune World and The Prophet of Dune that were amalgamated in the novel Dune in 1965.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good conclusion to the original trilogy, February 24, 2003

By 

mrliteral - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

Children of Dune is the third book in the Dune series. Although there are six books total, the first three form a trilogy, essentially the biography of Paul Atreides and his family (the other books take place much later). Dune, the first book, is a definite classic in science fiction, while Dune Messiah is a weaker yet still good sequel. Children of Dune fits somewhere between the two in quality.

As the book opens, Paul is believed to be dead, a martyr last seen nine years earlier. The political and religious empire he had created is prospering under his sister, Alia, who is acting as regent until Paul's twin children come of age. With indications of decadence already appearing, a mysterious Preacher is speaking out against the failings of this empire, and there are those who believe that this Preacher may be Paul.

One of the reasons that this book is stronger than the second book is the return of Lady Jessica, absent since the end of the first book. With her daughter Alia seeming possessed by the spirit of Baron Harkonnen (one of the great villains of sci-fi), Jessica becomes entangled in plots that could be fatal to her and her grandchildren. The twins themselves, intellectually far older than their physical ages and gifted with inherited talents, are hardly helpless in all this intriguing.

If you have enjoyed the first two Dune books, this is a must read, as it brings many plot lines to a close even as it opens new possibilities for future books. As in real life, Herbert understands that historical (even future historical) events rarely wrap up neatly, and a conclusion is merely a beginning of a different phase of history. This adds to the richness of this book and makes this series one of the landmarks of the genre.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two adorable kids with powerful minds. Imagine it., June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

After reading God Emperor of Dune, I am quite glad to readandlearn more about the Dune universe created by Frank Herberthimself. One of the most recent Dune novel I've read is Children of Dune which tells the story of Paul's royal twins, Leto and Ghanima. Both of them have supernatural powers like their father's but one of them is destined to change the history of the universe forever, attempting to save the sandworms from extinction as well as the lost of his humanity. Like other Dune novels, Children of Dune is simply brilliant, packed with politics, religions and a few action sequences. Some of the memorable characters make their appearance as well like Duncan Idaho and Lady Jessica. However, the only catch is that it's too wordy at times. Some people think that it's also too prophetic due to its complexity but readers will later learn that Children of Dune is remarkably beautiful and enchanting. As a conclusion, Children of Dune is one of the greatest achievements ever made by Frank Herbert.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking Dune to a higher level, December 14, 2000

By 

"hawk1138" (U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

I have to admit that I enjoyed Children of Dune more than I thought I would. Dune and Dune Messiah were both masterpieces, but the chains of events Paul Muad'Dib set into motion seemed to be winding down by the end of Messiah. I'm happy to say that Children proved me wrong. Much of the book spends time fully fleshing out it's characters, letting us get deep into the heads of Jessica, Alia, Duncan Idaho, Farad'n, and of course the twins Leto II and Ghanima. The additional appearance of a Fremen preacher who seems as though he could be Paul Muad'Dib yet preaches against the ideas of Muad'Dib's followers keeps the direction of the book from becoming predictable. The rest opens up new possibilities that hint at a much grander future of possibilities.

The twins use a plot against them by the Imperial family as a device to start down the true path they feel Dune messiahs should take. This is a path which their father knew, but didn't have the courage to walk down. This "Golden Path" is an extraordinary journey that promises brilliant and awesome possibilities to really pep up the Dune series and take it to a higher level. You'll have to read Leto's beginning down that path to truly get the full picture; I won't spoil it here. Old worlds are examined and new worlds begin in Children of Dune. Experience them for yourself.