Dune

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Summary: Dune is my favorite Sci-fi book I have ever read
Review: I really liked this book. I loved the sci-fi setting in the story and all of the futuristic creatures and abilities. I thought that this book was confusing to follow because of what the spice was, what were guild navigators for, why the Atriedes hated the Harkonenns, and what prescience was and why Paul had it. It was very interesting reading about what would happen to Paul and Jessica. I also saw the movie and thought that was good too.

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Summary: a staggering creation of an entire cosmic culture
Review: This is the original, astonishingly intricate construction of a complete universe, painting a bright allegory of good and evil;giving breath to a wealth of characters that incorporate all the qualities of epic figures ranging from Moses on the mountain to Lucifer after his plunge.

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Summary: An incredible piece of literature and philosophy
Review: This novel is easily the greatest book I have ever read. The novel examines ecology, economics, politics, theology and philosophy while telling an epic tale of a boy's and a people's rise from obscurity to power. The pages of this book contain a complete culture. We see the corruption and greed of the Imperium, the schemes of the secretive Bene Gesserit, and the heroic dedication of the Fremen. Herbert's philosophy carries its own power and grandeur that makes this novel incredible

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Summary: Best book ive ever read!
Review: Even if you dont like sci fi youll love this book it has something for everyone. its the best book ive ever read!! -XJimmyX-

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Summary: F. Herbert Fails Empire Politics 101
Review: The foundation of the story is a galactic empire whose inter-stellar navigation requires Mélange Enhanced navigation. Mélange is a spice and has one and only one source.

Arrakis.

Any ten year old can immediately understand that given those conditions, if you want to be emperor, you'd better control the spice. To control the spice, control Arrakis.

Any rational emperor entertaining hopes to rule for more than 2 days would park his capital on Arrakis and guard the access and distribution of spice very, very tightly.

Yet Frank Herbert tries to makes us believe that here is an empire who for generations has left the control of Arrakis and Spice to various Feudal Lords who have acquired and lost the control of Arrakis at the whim of the distant emperor and everything has been fine.

Until the Harkonnen's finally figured it out and passed Empire Politics 101. And after taking a beating and some hard lessons in the desert, Paul Atreides finally figures it out also. He decides to grab control of the Spice and park the imperial capital on Arrakis.

The "Dune final battle" should have occured at the very beginning of the empire. Whom ever would come out the winner of the no holds barred, all out fight to control Arrakis would become the Emperor.

The basis of the story is unsound. Any house that stands on a rotten foundation collapses, no matter how elaborate and fancy. The same holds for a story.

Herbert fills hundreds of pages of nice prose throwing in every element he can think of. But he forgot to fix the foundation.

In the end, I found myself screaming at the Harkonnen and Atreides : What took you so long !

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Summary: Into politics? relig? sci-fi? econ? eco? drama? LOVE DUNE
Review: I've read all 6 books several times (and I have a life!). The way Herbert builds a society, and describes its many aspects, is unparalleled. The entire series is really about control and power. Who/what is in charge? The government? econmics? religion? technology? military? males? females? nature?

Once the reader gets by the new vocabulary (interestingly based on Hebrew & Arabic), and gets into the story (you may wish to have a scorecard), you will be completely absorbed and will not want to put the books down.

P.S. Even though the movie is pathetic, I have to thank its creators. I had not yet read the books, but the story seemed compelling. I bought the first book the next day, and my literary life was changed. This got me into sci-fi reading (Asimov, Heinlein, etc...). Thank you Frank Herbert.

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Summary: Sweeping, awe-inspiring
Review: Many times when reading this book, I became so enveloped by the story I even forgot that I was reading; turning the pages was only a reflex, necessary to maintain the even flow of time. It is the one book which I have been the most sad to see end, and yet the most happy to have read. Let Frank Herbert bring you into his world of great sandworms, Gods and Emperors, villains, heroes, and a small boy at the center of it all.

If there were only one book I would ever read, this would be it.

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Summary: A detailed, imaginative, thrilling adventure!!!!
Review: I just finished reading Dune, and it was so good!!! Frank Herbert has great talent expressing everything he writes in great detail.His writing style is very different from most authors, but it is fabulouse! The book is filled with all different things. Whether you like reading about fighting and wars, spirituality and religion, or imaginative futuristic worlds, everyone will love this book!! Dune is a book no one should pass up.READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!

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Summary: How does one review a true classic?
Review: The late, great, Frank Herber's "Dune" is a classic in the true sense of the word. I've read many wonderful novels (2001, Stranger in a Strange Land, Foundation, Hyperion, Ender's Game, etc, etc.--classics all) that will stay with me for life, but none 'wormed' its way in so deeply as "Dune". Herbert's masterpiece works on so many different levels, it would take another novel just to describe the depth.

I won't lie to anyone, when I first picked up this novel many, many years ago and took a look at the dictionary, I began to wonder what I got myself into. This isn't a 'light' read. However, Herbert hooked me on the first page and never let go. For me personally, this novel had everything a great classic should have, including stunningly rich, vibrant characters (something most sci-fi novels grievously lack). Granted, there are many that may not like this novel as much as I do, but I believe "Dune" is the standard by which all science fiction novels should be judged, and the goal all authors should try to attain--a quite daunting task, I might add.

After many years (and a few failed attempts), "Dune" was made into a movie. Now I know that most people didn't like the movie (me included), but let's be fair. How does anyone make a successful movie of a novel that has so many intricate layers? While I thought the casting was first-rate and the costumes authentic, the task before them was monumental (and, alas, the special effects were 'cheesy' at best). The movie tried desperately to be true to Herbert's vision, but it just cannot be done, and probably should never have been attempted.

Between 1 and 10, "Dune" gets a solid 10. This is the only 10 I have given any novel, because no novel I have yet read matches the artistic depth and richness of Frank Herbert's "Dune".

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Summary: Transcends categorization.
Review: Frank Herbert is a true master of this century. Dune is not merely a prophetic tale of our future, but a glimpse into every individual's most secret place.