furniture Bulgaria

I have always been fascinated with WWII military history, and no research into that would be complete without a lot of attention on one of the most interesting Generals in US history: General George S. Patton. No research into Patton is complete without this book. In it are a selection of the General’s letters to his wife Bea, and some other selected writings on military matters. It provides an interesting insight into the man behind the legend (and not altogether accurate movie portrayal that most people are familiar with).

A word of warning though, this is not a flowing narrative of WWII, it is a series of letters often devoid of context. Patton knew his wife was following the war in the media along with the rest of the world and often wrote her to supplement what she already knew about recent events with his perspective. I would not read this book until you read a few other Patton biographies or at least a good comprehensive WWII history book to get a sense of what is going on outside of the letters.

We finally stop jumping a few thousand years between every book and pick up exactly where we left off in Heretics of Dune. A showdown is looming between the Bene Gesserit and Honored Matres, Duncan and Murbella’s relationship develops, and Miles Teg makes a comeback as a Ghola.

All in all, not a bad wrap up for the series. It does leave a bit open though.

Several thousand years after the events in God Emperor of Dune, the golden path is quietly running it’s course. Humanity exploded into the universe during the “scattering”, dependents of Siona carry the genetic mutation making them immune to prescience, and the old power bases (bene gesserit, tleilaxu, and the Ixians) are re-emerging. However there is trouble as many of those who went into the “scattering” are returning, either coming to conquer the “old empire” or perhaps fleeing from something horrible.

Once again we see Idaho resurrected (he is in every dune book, get used to him) only this time he becomes a major player. A showdown is looming between the Bene Gesserit and the Honored Matres (warped dependents of the Bene Gesserit who fled into the scattering thousands of years ago) and Idaho might just hold the key to defeating them.

Thousands of years after Children of Dune, Leto II’s “golden path” is coming to a close. Although nearly invulnerable, long lived, and unquestionably the ruler of the universe, his existence is a tortured one. Isolated for humanity and protecting all from a fate they know nothing about has drained him and leaves him open to a plot from his enemies.

This story becomes much more philosophical than the previous two. Dune was a great mix of philosophy, action, politics, and plots, while Messiah & Children were a little light on the philosophy in favor of action, this one swings far in the other direction. Not to say it is not good, it is very good and makes you think, just don’t expect a fast paced thriller.