God Emperor of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 4)

Rating:
Summary: A slow, yet interesting enstallment in the Dune Saga
Review: The fourth enstallment of the Dune saga is a slow moving story with almost now rising action. However, in light of this fact there was some aspect of the story that kept me reading. For me personally I tend to attribute this to the philisophical nature of the novel. However, I would like to warn the none Dune fan, that you would probably not want put up with the some 400 pages of philisophical exposition and conversation.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book messed up by the last hundred pages or so
Review: I enjoyed this installment in the Dune saga, but it was a slow read. Most of the book consists of conversations between Leto II and his newly arrived Duncan ghola, with the Emperor explaining his actions and traditions. The parallels to Richard III (they're there, but subtle) kept me going, and were a delight since this is my favorite work of Shakespeare. But soon things began to drag out, and with about a hundred pages to go, I was motivated entirely by the need to get this book over with. I had no trouble putting it down and starting Prelude To Foundation, which surprised me by being a real page-turner. Now I have a copy of Heretics of Dune, but I am not anxious to dive into it following Herbert's betrayal of my trust with a flimsy ending.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Thinking Book
Review: Any one that has read the first three and has had a year of highschool edu. would enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: ehh....
Review: This novel reads like a monologue of Herbert's personal philosophy. Well, at least it's good philosophy. The character development could've been better... only Leto's personality was really explored. The only other interesting character had her bratty points and disappeared in subsequent books. And as for the Fish Speakers? Chant this to Leto instead of Sianoq: "Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione." "I don't need your dopey religious cult." They aren't clearly developed nor truly relevant. But... as I am a sucker for good mythology, this book did keep it alive and is a neccessary read to complete the series.

Rating:
Summary: Next best one since first in series.
Review: -I'm almost done the fourth book in the series, and I've found it very addictive, so I just rashion it so I won't finish it too quickly...In the fourth book, there is the introduction of many Satanic concepts...Most readers miss this, but I am well versed in history( I attended Penn State for a short time). I think it is great that Herbert recognised the siliness of religions such as xtianity, judaism, and islam even back when he wrote the series...I found it highly ironic and truthful that the bene gesserits are regarded as witches...And that the religious texts within the novels are thought of as being lies by the characters...Even Leto II knows them to be untruthfull if you carefully analyze what he thinks and says...

Rating:
Summary: Probably not what you expect
Review: I picked this book up expecting a great continuation of the story that sucked me in in the first three books. What I got was 800 pages of talking and talking and philosophizing and more talking. As a discussion of philosophy (among many other things), it works very well, which is why this ranks two stars. But as part of the Dune story, it's completely pointless. The first three Dune books work well as a trilogy. This one might as well have been a big social essay by itself, and books 5 and 6 are just as bad. If you just want the Dune story, better to stop after book 3.

Rating:
Summary: Bizarre and mysterious without fail.
Review: Leto II accepted the fishskin and is now a giant worm, but more importantly a worm who controls the entire universe of man, secretly plotted against by the islamic fundamentalist Bene Tleilaxu, the machine freaks of Ix, and the secretive Bene Gesseret witches. If you have ever wanted to know what it was like to have a pipe dream in Tehran, that's the flavor this book gives off. Strange and wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: If you stopped with Children of Dune, you missed the point..
Review: As I read some of the other reviews, I was forced to agree that at times the book was difficult and even pedantic, but this book is more than the forth in a series. It binds the transformation of Leto's family to the survival of the race. The following books are daunting to many, but well worth the effort. The entire series is a spectacular journey into a possible future of mankind.

Rating:
Summary: GED is the cornerstone of the Dune series - A Must Read
Review: Most people read Dune then start on the series and end up disappointed. It happens. It happend to me also. But READ ON!!! Sadly, they miss the fact that this fourth book is the center of the Dune universe. <Previous books plot spoiler next> Leto II is the true Super Being and becomes what his "premature" father refused. He also displays the true meaning of leadership, self sacrifice, and love. It takes a couple readings to have it all sink in, especially if the reader bonded strongly with Paul, but there is a reason why the son must kill(replace) his father. Without a doubt, this book is the reason why the first 3 exist. The other two books after this talk about the effects. This is an absolute must read, or read again, if you just didn't "get it" the first time. Personally, its required reading for all my students.

Rating:
Summary: I don't think so
Review: Two words, just didn't like it. After reading the first three i noticed Herbert's quality stedilly declining. The first was just overwhelming. The second ok but shadowed by the first. Third like the second but the fourth, God Emperor of Dune. Just Horrible.