Product Description

A determined group of colonists are attempting to establish a bridgehead on the planet Pandora, despite the savagery of the native lifeforms, as deadly as they are inhospitable. But they have more to deal with than just murderous aliens: their ship's computer has been given artificial consciousness and has decided that it is a God. Now it is insisting - with all the not inconsiderable force of its impressive array of armaments to back it up - that the colonists find appropriate ways to worship It .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #488962 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-13
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

About the Author
SALES POINTS Dune is regarded as the greatest science fiction novel of all time. 'A speculative intellect with few rivals in modern SF' Encyclopedia of Science Fiction "J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are not in Mr. Herbert's inventive league' New York Times 'An extraordinary control over the genre' The Times

Customer Reviews

Herbert at his best: profound, insightful and intricate.
What can I say! The Master at work - this book easily ranks with his brilliant "The Dosadi Experiment". Herbert adroitly explores the human psyche against the back-drop of Pandora. A potential Eden-planet on which the residue of Humanity (comprising stored/active samples from innumerable re-runs of human history) must learn to live, away from the comfort and security of the Ship (God) in orbit. In essence, they must find god within themselves thereby learning to Worship. The alternative: wiping of the recording, thus ending Humanity but allowing a weary disappointed deity to move on and enjoy the rest of the universe. Herbert's exploration of this theme is multilayered in time and space and accompanied by awesome depth of character-developement. As one of the last books he wrote, I believe it contains much philosophy and wisdom gleaned over the years by his brilliant mind. A life-changer read it!

The Dreamer of Human Potential
Frank Herbert dreamed of the limits of human potental. And he was at his best when writing of it. This is another wonderful look into who we are and what we can be. Also dealing with many differing ethical problems, from cloning, status of slavery even to the choice of how we interact with the divine (an immensly powerful Ship is in orbit around the planet Pandora, has declared it's self God, and instructed the humans to decide on the best way how to WorShip it), and one of Frank Herberts most enduring themes: continuing human survival.

Typically Frank Herbert
Like in the Dune series, a lot of space is reserved for ecological and phylosophical questions and ideas. And, of course, religion is also important. Most of the characters were well worked out. Although it is a pity the Rachel character remains just a victim. But that is is minor. On the whole it is a highly interesting work, I mean who would think of Kelp being sentient? Frank did, together with Bill Ransom. And the idea that that human clones (or partly) would maintain a link with the kelp. Well worked out, and I couldn't stop reading until I finished it. And then I regretted having finished it. Thank the Goddess (or Ship!) there are more novels in this series...