Throughout the Dune novels, Frank Herbert frequently referred to the long-ago war in which humans wrested their freedom from "thinking machines."  Now, Dune: The Butlerian Jihad, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson bring to life the story of that war, a tale previously see only in hints and c luees.  Finally, we see how Serena Butler's passionate grief ignites the ware that will liberate humans from their machine masters.  We learn the circumstances of the betrayal that made mortal enemies of the House Atreides and House Harkonnen; and we experience the Battle of Corrin that created the galactic empire lasting until the reign of Emperor Shaddam IV.

Herein are the foundations of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the Suk Doctors, the Order of Mentats, and the mysteriously altered Navigators of the Spacing Guild.  Here is the amazing tale of the Zensunni Wanderers, who escape bondage to flee to the desert world where they will declare themselves the Free Men of Dune.  And here is the backward, nearly forgotten planet of Arrakis where traders have discovered the remarkable properties of the spice melange...

Ten thousand years before the events of Dune, humans have managed to battle the remoresless Machines to a standstill...but victory may be short-lived.  Yet amid shortsighted squabbling between nobles, new leaders have begun to emerge.  Among them are Xavier Harkonnen, military leader of the Planet of Salusa Secundus; Xavier's fiancee, Serena Butler, and activist who will become the unwilling leader of millions; and Tio Holtzman, the scientist struggling to devise a weapon that will help the human cause.

Against the brute efficiency of their adversaries, these leaders and the human race have only imagination, compassion and the capacity for love.  It will have to be enough.