My take... the thing that made Frank Herbert's books great to me is that after I read a book I felt like I'd learned more about myself, humanity, history and the motives of religion.
Exactly!
His parallels between the modern world and his fantasy world also helped to understand things like trade with scarcity of recources (spice vs. oil)
Herbert used the term "hydraulic despotism" to sum this up. And it holds true in today's world as it does in the Dune universe.
and the power of holy war
Frank Herbert was, if nothing else, a man that approached religion carefully. If you want to know where the Dune take on religion comes from, read "The Godmakers". Religious Engineering is another term coined by Herbert that holds true in reality as well.
If you don't try to compare their writing styles and just enjoy the book, I think you'll enjoy the read
I couldn't begin to compare their writing styles. Even in "Man Of Two Worlds" you see a lot more of dad than son. But my point is, there's so much of Dune that could be explored and Brian Herbert just isn't up to snuff, IMO.
Like I said, I haven't read this one so I can't really comment. But if it's anything like the other three... well. They were entertaining to a certain extent (I mean, I *did* read them), but they weren't... I guess "classy" is the word. They lacked class, IMO.
First off, this is not a review, as some other posters have mentioned. It feels more like an attempt at marketing...? Oh well.
I'll probably buy this book. When it comes to Dune I just gotta have it. Sorta like having to buy the latest Depeche Mode album even though it sucks rocks. There are some things in life you just gotta have.
But anyway, back to Dune. The House* prequel series were OK, I guess, even though they suffered from an all too apparent desire to come up with plausible explanations of the pre-Atreides dominated universe. For example, involving the whole House Vernius and the Ix thing was a great idea, but it was presented in a slightly crass way. You know? Frank Herbert could introduce new elements into his books (i.e., the Honored Matres) with subtlety but his kid just can't do that, no matter how much the other guy helps out. The twin Guild Navigator thing was also a good byline, but it wasn't presented very well. And so on.
One of the things I can't understand is *why* this guy can't go back to basics. He has tons of material to work with laid out by his father, yet he can't score a 10 to save his life. For example:
Flesh out the story of the Fremen. The whole Missionaria Protectiva deal that's implied when Jessica and Paul find the Fremen on Dune as well as the migration of the Fremen throughout the centuries is a very interesting aspect of the books.
The Sardaukar and Salusa Secundus. The House Corrino prequel book doesn't even come close to covering this area, which I think is very interesting.
The relationship between the Bene Gesserit and "old world" religions like the Jews (Chapterhouse Dune) and so on. Very interesting byline as well.
I could go on and on. I believe Frank Herbert wrote Dune as a complex exploration of politics, religion, ecology, sexuality and the strength of the human spirit. These books are mushing those ideas to churn out nothing more than swashbuckler thrillers, and to be honest I really don't like it. They should open up the writing to other, more talented SciFi authors who grew up with Herbert and see what happens. I would *love* to see a Tales Of Sanctuary/Tempus-like franchise. I bet they would sell a crapload of books and keep us Dune fanatics happy for many years.
... that when I refreshed the page I saw a Visual Studio.NET ad.
I mean, how fucking unbelievably lame is that! A 'Micro$oft' ad in Slashdot!
I'm sure the "editors" have come to the conclusion that they are 1337 because they're taking the Borg's money and giggling "all the way to the bank" to deposit it with their VA Software stock (BWAHAHAHAHAHA), but the reality is that Slashdot, like anything else related to "open source" and "free as in beer" software is merely a sad and pathetic anachronism whose existence is validated only by their stupid and misguided hatred of 'Micro$oft'.
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You people need to be shot.
Exactly!
His parallels between the modern world and his fantasy world also helped to understand things like trade with scarcity of recources (spice vs. oil)
Herbert used the term "hydraulic despotism" to sum this up. And it holds true in today's world as it does in the Dune universe.
and the power of holy war
Frank Herbert was, if nothing else, a man that approached religion carefully. If you want to know where the Dune take on religion comes from, read "The Godmakers". Religious Engineering is another term coined by Herbert that holds true in reality as well.
If you don't try to compare their writing styles and just enjoy the book, I think you'll enjoy the read
I couldn't begin to compare their writing styles. Even in "Man Of Two Worlds" you see a lot more of dad than son. But my point is, there's so much of Dune that could be explored and Brian Herbert just isn't up to snuff, IMO.
Like I said, I haven't read this one so I can't really comment. But if it's anything like the other three... well. They were entertaining to a certain extent (I mean, I *did* read them), but they weren't... I guess "classy" is the word. They lacked class, IMO.
I'll probably buy this book. When it comes to Dune I just gotta have it. Sorta like having to buy the latest Depeche Mode album even though it sucks rocks. There are some things in life you just gotta have.
But anyway, back to Dune. The House* prequel series were OK, I guess, even though they suffered from an all too apparent desire to come up with plausible explanations of the pre-Atreides dominated universe. For example, involving the whole House Vernius and the Ix thing was a great idea, but it was presented in a slightly crass way. You know? Frank Herbert could introduce new elements into his books (i.e., the Honored Matres) with subtlety but his kid just can't do that, no matter how much the other guy helps out. The twin Guild Navigator thing was also a good byline, but it wasn't presented very well. And so on.
One of the things I can't understand is *why* this guy can't go back to basics. He has tons of material to work with laid out by his father, yet he can't score a 10 to save his life. For example:
- Flesh out the story of the Fremen. The whole Missionaria Protectiva deal that's implied when Jessica and Paul find the Fremen on Dune as well as the migration of the Fremen throughout the centuries is a very interesting aspect of the books.
- The Sardaukar and Salusa Secundus. The House Corrino prequel book doesn't even come close to covering this area, which I think is very interesting.
- The relationship between the Bene Gesserit and "old world" religions like the Jews (Chapterhouse Dune) and so on. Very interesting byline as well.
I could go on and on. I believe Frank Herbert wrote Dune as a complex exploration of politics, religion, ecology, sexuality and the strength of the human spirit. These books are mushing those ideas to churn out nothing more than swashbuckler thrillers, and to be honest I really don't like it. They should open up the writing to other, more talented SciFi authors who grew up with Herbert and see what happens. I would *love* to see a Tales Of Sanctuary/Tempus-like franchise. I bet they would sell a crapload of books and keep us Dune fanatics happy for many years.Oh well.
Snarf, snarf.
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Wow!
If Katz was still around, you'd see him, but alas, all that's left are "stories" about "Micro$oft"
Sad and pathetic, eh?
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Yay!
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Kool!
Mod this down. thx!
More fucking senseless Microsoft bashing. My, my. When the average age of the typical Slashdot reader reaches 17, call me, mmmk?
You need to stop believeing your own fucking bullshit, d00d.
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Cool!
BTW, please try to keep posts on topic. k?thx!
I mean, how fucking unbelievably lame is that! A 'Micro$oft' ad in Slashdot!
I'm sure the "editors" have come to the conclusion that they are 1337 because they're taking the Borg's money and giggling "all the way to the bank" to deposit it with their VA Software stock (BWAHAHAHAHAHA), but the reality is that Slashdot, like anything else related to "open source" and "free as in beer" software is merely a sad and pathetic anachronism whose existence is validated only by their stupid and misguided hatred of 'Micro$oft'.
But anyway, please carry on.
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Cool!
[boy, this 2 minute limit is hard to deal with]
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Cool!
...who the fuck cares?
Please mod this down, 'cuz I said so.
k?thx!
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Cool!
Is my "karma" gone yet?
Cool!
Almost there...
Yes, this also. thx!
And this as well, yes
And this
Here, mod this down as well.