Books

Frank Herbert (1976) Children of Dune , US first edition, first printing published by Putnam. Signed and inscribed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper: To Dr Gordon Cohen | april 76 | Frank Herbert . Condition: a near fine book without any previous owner s scribbles, no bookplates, no stamps. The page block and boards are clean, the lettering on the spine vibrant. Feels unread. The light pushed to spine tip the only noteworthy flaw. The dust jacket with small chipping to spine ends and a little bleeding to foot of spine. Usual light creses and rubbing. Very good. The last book in the original seminal Dune trilogy which brought Herbert commercial success. First and Fine.

"Children of Dune," the third novel in Frank Herbert's epic "Dune" series, delves deeper into the complex interplay of politics, religion, and power on the desert planet Arrakis. Set several years after the events of "Dune Messiah," the story revolves around the descendants of Paul Atreides, particularly his twins, Leto II and Ghanima. Following the events that led to Paul's rise as the messianic figure known as Muad'Dib, Arrakis remains a pivotal planet, its significance rooted in the control of the valuable spice melange. The twins, heirs to Paul's legacy, possess extraordinary abilities stemming from their genetic lineage and exposure to the spice during their gestation. Leto, introspective and contemplative, grapples with the burden of prescience—seeing possible futures, but unable to alter them—while Ghanima navigates the complexities of political intrigue and their family's precarious position within the empire. Both must conceal their abilities to safeguard themselves amidst a web of conspiracies. The Empire faces upheaval as religious fervor and political machinations threaten stability. The Bene Gesserit sisterhood, the Spacing Guild, and the remnants of House Harkonnen all seek control, while the mysterious Tleilaxu and their synthetic creations, the Face Dancers, add another layer of intrigue. Leto, foreseeing the dangers and recognizing the potential downfall of humanity if stagnation continues, undergoes a transformation. He fuses his body with sandtrout—a stage in the life cycle of the giant sandworms of Arrakis—to achieve a form of immortality, becoming a human-sandworm hybrid. Leto, now possessing immense strength and foresight, embarks on a path to ensure the survival and evolution of humanity, albeit at a severe personal cost. Ghanima, meanwhile, uses her wits and diplomatic skills to navigate the treacherous political landscape, striving to protect her brother and their shared future. The novel intricately weaves themes of power, sacrifice, and the cyclic nature of history. It explores the consequences of absolute prescience, the ethical implications of wielding power, and the sacrifices necessary for the evolution of humanity. As Leto takes on his new mantle, he faces challenges—internal and external—while Ghanima contends with her own struggles. The story culminates in a revelation that sets the stage for monumental changes in the universe Herbert has masterfully crafted—a universe where the destinies of planets and people are irrevocably intertwined.