Book One: Dune

           Tothepeoplewhoselaborsgobeyondideasintotherealmof“realmaterials”—tothedry-landecologists,wherevertheymaybe,inwhatevertimetheywork,thiseffortatpredictionisdedicatedinhumilityandadmiration. 

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           Abeginningisthetimefortakingthemostdelicatecarethatthebalancesarecorrect. ThiseverysisteroftheBeneGesseritknows. TobeginyourstudyofthelifeofMuad‘Dib,then,takecarethatyoufirstplacehiminhistime:borninthe57thyearofthePadishahEmperor,ShaddamIV. AndtakethemostspecialcarethatyoulocateMuad’Dibinhisplace:theplanetArrakis. DonotbedeceivedbythefactthathewasbomonCaladanandlivedhisfirstfifteenyearsthere.Arrakis,theplanetknownasDune,isforeverhisplace. 

           -from“ManualofMuad’Dib”bythePrincessIrulan 

           INTHEweekbeforetheirdeparturetoArrakis,whenallthefinalscurryingabouthadreachedanearlyunbearablefrenzy,anoldcronecametovisitthemotheroftheboy,Paul. 

           ItwasawarmnightatCastleCaladan,andtheancientpileofstonethathadservedtheAtreidesfamilyashomefortwenty-sixgenerationsborethatcooled-sweatfeelingitacquiredbeforeachangeintheweather. 

           TheoldwomanwasletinbythesidedoordownthevaultedpassagebyPaul’sroomandshewasallowedamomenttopeerinathimwherehelayinhisbed. 

           Bythehalf-lightofasuspensorlamp,dimmedandhangingnearthefloor,theawakenedboycouldseeabulkyfemaleshapeathisdoor,standingonestepaheadofhismother.