Ben Boyett - Dune

I have always been a fan of Frank Herbert's Dune books, and recently I picked up a copy to reread it. I am fascinated with the way he ties Messianic prophecy into the story. Through a specialized breeding program a group called the Bene Gesserit hope to cross breed all good human traits into a single bloodline and in so doing create a superhuman capable of reaching outside of our time to see reveal the past and the future. Should that be the ultimate goal of humanity? To be able to circumvent time would be an incredibly powerful tool, one not to be wielded lightly. Herbert explores this idea through the experiences of the protagonist named Paul Atreides. After realizing his potential as this superhuman he shortly goes mad and in the ensuing book he leaves his position as Emperor of the Universe to wander off into the desert, a blind, penniless prophet. This reminds me of Oedipus, who only realizes what it is to see after he has lost his vision. Very deep book and I intend on finishing the series in the next few weeks.