God Emperor of Dune

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1981. First Edition. Octavo. 411 pages. Fourth book in the Dune series. God Emperor of Dune moves us some 3,500 years on from Leto's ascension to the throne and concerns events near the end of his reign. The novel has a dual perspective. Most of its scenes are from Leto's "Stolen Journals," discovered perhaps another 4,000 years later by archaeologists of the Rakis Find. Leto is fascinating. He is alternately absorbing and repelling. When he addresses himself to questions of purpose-to the ultimate ends of evolutionary diversity, ecological interconnectedness and preservation of niches, the horror of human hubris and anthropocentrism, (truncated) the dangers of technology, and the abolition of war-what he has to say is astute and compelling. He speaks of the preservation of tribal skills and of protecting the context in which human choice is possible Like the best of science fiction, it raises questions we could only wish political leaders considered. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket save for a hint of toning to rear panel. (Inventory #: 031399)