Dune by Frank Herbert (PDF)

12

 

Ebook Info

  • Published: 2003
  • Number of pages: 890 pages
  • Format: PDF
  • File Size: 2.08 MB
  • Authors: Frank Herbert

Description

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE directed by Denis Villeneuve, starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem.Frank Herbert’s classic masterpiece—a triumph of the imagination and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice” melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for….When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The science-fiction novel, Dune, written by Frank Herbert and published in 1965 might just as easily have provided the precursor literary materials for a “Hallmark Home for the Holidays” screen-play as it would have for any of several “Star Wars” episodes. It is a meaningful, versatile, very adaptable novel. The book is good and offers deeply religious connotations. It provides historical significance, dating back from ancient times, and suggests serious implications for the future, involving social and political stability. Ostensibly, the story follows a doting, overly-protective, single mother who wants only what is best for her son. She takes him on a camping trip, in order for him to win the equivalent of a “Boy Scout” merit badge in survival skills. Basically, his task is to provide food for the family in the wilderness. If he can find the right bait and put it on a hook to catch a fish for dinner, he all but assures himself of attaining the merit badge he seeks. The problem is, they soon discover that the lake has all but dried-up. The waters have receded, or they have been diverted, somehow. Hence, he has to hunt for alternative sources of food. Simple enough, you think. Except, you remember that the novel is pure science-fiction. Things get hairy in a hurry and out of hand very rapidly, and the various outcome scenarios become numerous and unpredictable. The story-line becomes even more interesting later on, when the son decides to attend his first rodeo. Perhaps, the single mother has mistakenly slipped a bottle of “Mescal” Mexican tequila into her back-pack, instead of the “cooking Sherry,” which she had intended to bring along on the trip “for medicinal purposes.” While cooking over the proverbial open campfire, she must have been sipping some form of potent alcoholic beverage, causing her to dream, and possibly, hallucinate. The manufacturers even put a little grub-worm into the bottles of this particular tequila, out of an abundance of caution as a warning; or for aesthetic reasons, I imagine. Not too unlike, the “green dragon” or the “genie in the bottle,” appearing on the label of a libation otherwise known as absinthe. In her dreams, or perhaps because of her vivid imagination, then, the harmless, one-inch, standard-size grub-worm is transformed, becomes magnified, or otherwise enlarged by the mysterious processes of her mind, into a gargantuan monster 5,000 times its normal, original size. This is where the science-fiction part enters the story. Thus, a potential whirl-wind romance is transmogrified into something completely out of this world. It evolves into a tantalizingly amazing and profoundly appealing tale of adventure. Again, I’m reminded of the classic “Star Wars” saga, which first appeared in movie theaters twelve years after the novel, Dune, was first published. In the course of natural events, the mother of the impressionable, young lad fondly reminisces about living in their former home far, far away by incredibly great distances of measurement, somewhere over the curved spectrum of colorfully diffracted light-beams known as a rainbow, beyond eons and eons of cosmic clouds in the time-space continuum, having a normal climate, an abundance of rainfall, mild weather, with clear lakes and cool-running streams, something quite radically different from the dire circumstances in which they presently find themselves. She smiles graciously and is pleasantly reminded of swimming in the ocean like an Olympic athlete; the outdoor public showers on the beach; washing the salty water out of her tousled and tangled hair, rinsing her skin clean and vibrant again; noticing sand in her bikini panties. But now, however it came to pass, she is much more immediately concerned about gang violence and her youth blasted into oblivion by laser-light guns. Even worse, their exposure to harmfully volatile cartridges of electronic cigarettes; risking addiction; and, ultimately, being “vaporized” by an atomizer. Vanishing into thin air. R. Royce rests on a long, weathered wooden pier, the wharf overlooking the inter-coastal water-way from a hidden cove. Here, he goes by the nick-name, “Johnny Questar.” He’s looking into the deep, clear, greenish-tinted water for a big spear-fish. He recollects parts of a song from way back when, with lyrics that go vaguely something like this: “In the year 2525, if mankind is still alive…. there will be no husbands, you’ll have no wife…” “In the year 3535, the Propaganda Prince rules the people for thousands of years…. his ego is huge, and there’s nothing too terrible that he fears…” “In the year 4545, robots and androids are running wild…. they can achieve anything, except bear a child…” “By the year 7510, God should make an appearance by then, and have something important to say… for it’s a time of evolution and Judgement Day….” “By the year 9595, if mankind is still alive…. there will be no more wars, you’ll experience no strife…” “After 10,000 years have come and gone, if mankind is still alive, we have won….we’ll be comfortably re-planeted…. you’ll mostly feel euphoric and contented…” Thus, he sang the words he remembered and made up the rest as he went along. He could have easily researched the internet for the song , written by Rick Evans in 1964 that became a number one hit by the duo “Zager and Evans” in the summer of 1969 and topped the music charts in both the U.S. and the U.K. He should get it on CD. “We’ll move to another galaxy and start all over again, my friend…in this promising age of enlightenment,” sang Cornelius Korn, chiming right in. People in the area know him by the popular name, “George Jetsam.” “How is it, that people like us always wind up going to strangely exotic destinations such as the Florida East Coast and on remote desert islands?” asked Alexis Sue Shell, now answering to the name “Wilma Flint.” “Probably because we’ve adapted so well to hot air, palm trees, sandy and salty water. The natives are friendly and they generally mind their own business. We love the care-free life-style here. Plus, whenever we’re ready, we can sail away.” said Raquel Remington, presently known as “Betty Revelle.” “Anything on the agenda for today?” asked Royce, suddenly business-like, ever the practical one, and exuding confidence. “I’ve located the two grandsons from New Jersey,” said Korn. “We’re meeting them in a nice, quiet setting on the beach this very afternoon, at “Hooligans.” “I have good news and bad news for you,” confided Royce, later, at the restaurant. “The good news is you are no longer obligated to pay Mugsy Malone what you owe him, since he’s met with an unexpected and untimely demise. You probably read about it in the newspapers.” “Oh, how did that happen?” asked Kashmir, one of the wise guys he’d met in New Jersey at Mugsy Malone’s Atlantic City hotel months ago, feigning innocence. “What’s the bad news?’ “Some weeks before his sudden departure, Mr. Malone authorized my security firm to make good on the debts his more prolific business associates owe him. In other words, we’re here to collect on what you and your cousin, Nehru, haven’t yet paid him. With expenses and interest, the amount due today comes to half a million. Can you cover it with cash, certified cashier’s check, or a bank-to-bank transfer? ” “We’re on vacation in South Florida,” said Nehru. “We don’t normally carry that kind of cash around with us.” “Your grandfather was very cooperative. He advised us that you’re doing quite a lucrative business in the vicinity. He said that you’re involved in the tourism and travel industry. You’ve been making money hand over fist here,” said Royce. He’d certainly done his homework on the pair’s financial dealings. “All we have available at the moment are 100 Super Bowl tickets, 100 reservations to Disney World, 100 tickets to Universal Studios, and four re-possessed luxury tour buses, formerly owned by country and western musicians,” said Kashmir. He obviously wanted to settle their differences amicably and put an end to the matter at once. Smart. He actually wanted to avoid risky, protracted conflicts with formidable adversaries. “That should cover your overdue account debt. We humbly accept your generous offer,” said Royce, indicating Kashmir’s metallic briefcase containing legal documentation, tickets, and bus keys. “Thanks for putting us in the tourist business. Trusted associates from the firm will contact you shortly to iron out any details and finalize the transaction.” He calmly strolled away, taking the briefcase with him. Kashmir and Nehru felt a sense of relief that there were no complications to derail their plans. “Chump change,” George Jetsam said later that evening, as they all began to relax and unwind in their hotel suite. “But it pays the bills and keeps peace in the family.” “I think you handled the situation admirably, Royce–I mean, Johnny,” said Betty Revelle. “Looks like we’re back in business again,” said Wilma Flint. “Yes, indeed! Travel agencies to contact, tickets to sell, and busses to lease,” said Johnny Questar.

⭐I realized I didn’t have a copy of Dune (I seem to lose them whenever I loan them), and decided to splurge. The art on the dust jacket and the inside of the cover is gorgeous. The inside of the dust jacket also has beautiful art, but I was unable to get a picture of it. The cover has the words “fear is the mind killer” on it which I am less of a fan of. While it is certainly one of the most well known phrases from the book, I much prefer one that comes from the last sequel, “There is no secret to balance, you just have to feel the waves.”As for the novel itself? It’s Dune, one of the most celebrated scifi novels of all time. It is one of my favorite books, and I read it again about every two years. I will likely continue to do so. The world building is incredible, though it has probably been surpassed since it was first printed in 1965. However, it succeeds in building an alien universe that nevertheless seems plausible. Ideas about technology, environmentalism, ecological change, and politics are as relevant as ever. Some aspects of the novel have aged less well, but I believe the pros outweigh the cons by far. Dune won the Hugo Award in 1966, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

⭐Words cannot describe how much I love this book. I watched the movie, but of course the book is so much MORE. Some people say it’s dense but I disagree and found it to be very readable. I understand why it’s described as one of the best sci-fi novels of all time. It transports you to new worlds, has themes of mysticism, collectivism, precognition, rival feudal houses across different planets, and it makes you think about ecology and climate in new ways. Also, the hardcover version is beautiful – from the cover art, to the blue edging on the pages, it really feels like you are holding a treasure.

⭐I have read this book, and those that followed, several times now, years apart. Each time there is new and profound relevance to our ever changing times. I share The Litany Against Fear with trauma survivors, as they confront the nightmares and demons that have caused them so much pain. It is the creed that allows one to move from victim to survivor.In summation, it is probably the best book I have ever read.

⭐Great book but the printer left out some pretty key pages – like how it ends! My book (ACE published by Berkley, Penguin Random House) is missing pages 607-611 and 618-623. Literally the ending. Never ran into this before.

⭐Many mediocre sequels followed, but this first is a great piece of political sci-fi. Imagine the oil-producers were extraterrestrial cultures, producing not lubricants and fuels but a natural psychotropic which facilitated hyperspace navigation. Now imagine an Asimovian empire trying to rest control of the source. Imagine that there is a fanatic desert uprising seeking to regain that control, resisted not by the Husseini nor the Ibn Saud but by a royal gang which looks for all the world like the Hapsburgs. Throw in a heroic noble family, political intrigue, brilliant, West-Wing level smartwriting, and just for, the helluvit, a tribe of real witches and some giant snakes which patrol the =deserts by tunneling under the sands. Completely addictive read. A modern classic..

⭐I’ve tried reading Dune three times, and three times I’ve had to give up.I just can’t get on with it. It’s not the story, which is of course one of the greatest SF worlds ever created. I think it’s the overall assault of Herbert’s writing style that eventually wears me down-it just gets a bit too much by about 3/4 of the way through the novel.One day I’ll manage to finish it once. I owe it that much.

⭐En México no sólo tenemos un problema de falta de lectura, también hacen falta buenas editoriales. Anduve buscando este libro en español pero sólo encontré el que editó editorial debolsillo en España. Aunque sus libros a pesar de ser de bolsillo, valga la redundancia, son de buena calidad y son fáciles de leer pues se traducen a un español neutro pero no en todos los casos ya que los españoles se caracterizan por ser pésimos traductores, prácticamente traducen lo que ellos entienden y no lo que el autor quiso decir, esto hace que se pierda toda la esencia de un libro al grado de que puede fastidiarte y no entiendas nada. En México podemos encontrar libros traducidos al español pero la mayoría son de editoriales españolas, siendo debolsillo la más predominante pues aparentemente son los mas económicos y los encuentras en cualquier lado. Sin embargo también hay muy buenas editoriales españolas como Valdemar y Zorro Rojo, de las cuales no duraría en comprar uno de sus libros sin importar el precio. Ojalá un día Zorro Rojo se anime a sacar su versión de Dune.Muchas veces cuando tienes altas expectativas de un libro y al leerlo terminas decepcionado, ponte a pensar que quizá se deba a una mala traducción. Así que antes de comprar esa edición en español me detuve a pensar. La verdad no quería que una mala traducción me echara a perder una obra como Dune; además esa edición es muy cara pues se envía desde España. Finalmente me decidí a comprarlo en su idioma original.Este libro es parte de una serie de seis clásicos de la ciencia ficción editados por la reconocida Penguin Random House con sede en Nueva York. Los títulos (aparte de Dune) que componen esta serie llamada Penguin Galaxy son: Stranger in a Strange Land, The Left Hand of Darkness, The Once and Future King, Neuromancer y 2001: A Space Odyssey. Cuentan con una introducción del reconocido escritor Neil Gaiman y el diseño de los libros corrió a cargo de Alex Trochut.Sabemos que los libros en inglés son más baratos que las ediciones (mal)traducidas al español, sin embargo estos no son tan baratos pero creo que al ser parte de una serie con un excelente diseño es un buen precio. La decepción vino al tener el libro físico. La verdad me esperaba algo de mejor calidad, algo mucho más resistente. Yo nunca he leído Dune y para eso compré este pero me da miedo agarrarlo pues siento que mis dedos se van a quedar marcados en la tapa ya que es de un papel mate muy absorbente. El papel de las páginas también es muy delgado. Me da la impresión de que estos libros son para tenerlos en tu repisa pero no para ser leídos.Junto con este libro compré otros artículos, entonces me mandaron todo junto en la misma caja y este libro se maltrató un poco. No traía ni celofán ni trataron de protegerlo. Tomen en cuenta que es lo que van a pedir y si sus productos pueden maltratar otros durante el envío. Por cierto, el envío fue rapidísimo, sin duda Amazon es mi plataforma favorita para hacer mis compras.

⭐Das Buch liegt leider nicht so gut in der Hand. Es wirkt ein wenig als wäre beim Schnitt etwas schiefgegangen. Auch das Papier fühlt sich nicht besonders hochwertig an, bei dem Preis aber in Ordnung.Zu dem Inhalt kann ich leider nichts sagen, da ich Bücher nicht lese sondern sie lediglich in meinen Schrank stelle um meine Nerd-Freunde zu beeindrucken.

⭐Lovely hardback edition, but the text is the same error-riddled version. I think I might just type up my own copy, draw my own cover and have done with it. Don’t waste your money on this.

Keywords

Free Download Dune in PDF format
Dune PDF Free Download
Download Dune 2003 PDF Free
Dune 2003 PDF Free Download
Download Dune PDF
Free Download Ebook Dune

Previous articlePlane Algebraic Curves: Translated by John Stillwell (Modern Birkhäuser Classics) 2012th Edition by Egbert Brieskorn (PDF)
Next articleAbstract Algebra: Applications to Galois Theory, Algebraic Geometry, Representation Theory and Cryptography (De Gruyter Textbook) by Celine Carstensen-Opitz (PDF)