Book One of the Epic Prequel to the Classic Novel Dune —Soon to Be a Major Motion Picture   Step into the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune, one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time.   Before Paul Atreides became Muad’Dib, the dynamic leader who unified the wild Fremen on the desert planet known as Dune . . .   Before the evil Baron Harkonnen overthrew House Atreides and sent Paul and his mother Jessica fleeing into the deadly wasteland of sand . . .   Before the secrets of the spice and the sandworms were discovered . . .   There was another story . . .   The tale of young Leto Atreides learning to become a ruler in the shadow of his great father.   The tale of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, ruthless tyrant who becomes a pawn of Bene Gesserit breeding schemes.   The tale of Pardot Kynes, ambitious planetologist dispatched to the sands of Arrakis to understand the origins of the spice melange, the most valuable substance in the known universe.   And the tale of Crown Prince Shaddam Corrino, whose lust for power leads him to plot the assassination of his own father and to create a plan that will replace the spice and disrupt the Imperium forever . . .   Dune: House Atreides begins the epic worldwide bestselling trilogy that tells of the generation before Dune and sows the seeds for great heroes, vile enemies, and terrible tyrants.   Look for the entire prequel series DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES • DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN • DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO “ Dune: House Atreides is a terrific prequel, but it’s also a first-rate adventure on its own. Frank Herbert would surely be delighted and proud of this continuation of his vision.” —Dean Koontz “Every bit as complex as the original Dune novels.” — St. Petersburg Times Brian Herbert  is the son of legendary science fiction author Frank Herbert and has written the definitive biography of him,  Dreamer of Dune , a finalist for the Hugo Award. He has also written many highly imaginative novels, including The Timeweb Chronicles, the ecological fantasy  Ocean  (with his wife, Jan),  The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma, The Unborn,  and  The Assassination of Billy Jeeling.  His earlier acclaimed novels include  The Stolen Gospels, Sudanna, Sudanna,  and  Sidney’s Comet , as well as  Man of Two Worlds  (written with his father). Brian Herbert also co-manages the legacy of Frank Herbert and is an executive producer of the new motion picture  Dune  and the forthcoming TV series  Dune: The Sisterhood . He and his wife live in Seattle, Washington.   Kevin J. Anderson  has written in many genres: science fiction, epic fantasy, suspense/thriller, and humor. He is best known for his work in the  Star Wars, X-Files,  Batman, and Superman universes, as well as the space opera The Saga of Seven Suns; the epic fantasy  Spine of the Dragon;  his humorous Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series; and two steampunk fantasy adventures,  Clockwork Angels  and  Clockwork Lives , written with legendary Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. Anderson is creative consultant on the new Legendary motion picture of  Dune  and is co-producer of the forthcoming TV series  Dune: The Sisterhood . He is the publisher of WordFire Press and also professor and director of the publishing MA program at Western Colorado University.   Together, Herbert and Anderson have written numerous international bestselling novels set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s  Dune , as well as the definitive graphic novel adaptation of the classic  Dune . They are the authors of an original epic science fiction trilogy,  Hellhole ,  Hellhole Awakening , and  Hellhole Inferno . Lean and muscular, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen hunched forward next to the ornithopter pilot. He peered with spider-black eyes through the pitted windowplaz, smelling the ever-present grit and sand. As the armored 'thopter flew high overhead, the white sun of Arrakis dazzled against unrelenting sands. The sweeping vista of dunes sizzling in the day's heat made his retinas burn. The landscape and sky were bleached of color. Nothing soothed the human eye. Hellish place. The Baron wished he could be back in the industrialized warmth and civilized complexity of Giedi Prime, the central world of House Harkonnen. Even stuck here, he had better things to do back at the local family headquarters in the city of Carthag, other diversions to suit his demanding tastes. But the spice harvesting must take precedence. Always. Especially a huge strike such as the one his spotters had reported. In the cramped cockpit, the Baron lounged with well-postured confidence, ignoring the buffet and sway of air currents. The 'thopter's mechanical wings beat rhythmically like a wasp's. The dark leather of his chestpiece fit tightly over well-toned pectorals. In his mid-forties, he had rakish good looks; his reddish gold hair had been cut and styled to exacting specifications, enhancing his distinctive widow's peak. The Baron's skin was smooth, his cheekbones high and w