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  • The Godmakers

  • By: Frank Herbert
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (156 ratings)
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The Godmakers cover art

The Godmakers

By: Frank Herbert
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Summary

On the edge of a war-weary and devastated galaxy, charismatic Lewis Orne has landed on Hamal. His assignment: To detect any signs of latent aggression in this planet's population. To his astonishment, he finds that his own latent extrasensory powers have suddenly blossomed, and he is invited to join the company of "gods" on this planet - and the people here place certain expectations on their gods.

The Godmakers is an expansion of four short stories written from 1958 - 1960. It is an exploration of the concepts of war and peace, government and religion.

©2013 Frank Herbert (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Godmakers

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Special and still meaningful

So we’ll written, narration is good - doesn’t detract. Herbert’s dialogue about religion is important. This gem is a classic. I read it more than 30 years ago. But listening now, it is fresh, pertinent, incisive and still incredible. Not to be missed.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best books ever.

Superb book, written by one of the best SYFY authors of all time. it is the only book I read every year.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disapointing

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator sounded like he had taken sleeping tablets

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

I read this book back in the seventies, at the time I thought it was really good. I don't know if it was the narration or that it has dated badly but I found it dreary. It is slightly misogynistic with some of the feel of his later Dune novels but none of the wonder. nothing much happens.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
  • NM
  • 09-08-23

Reads like an incel manifesto

Things start pretty good, interesting world, interesting concepts, then the weird fear of Arabic women running the world from behind the scenes comes in, then it rapidly becomes a Mary-Sue power fantasy.
It was so jarring that I quit then.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A good idea that gets quickly lost in the desert

The premise of the Godmakers is an intriguing one, with the prospect of a solid story wrapped around it elevating this novel to the top of my listening list.

The story and narration felt slow and ponderous, even with the playback speed increased, and it did not take me anywhere enlightening, and mostly just gets weirder as the chapters pass. GM is simply too wrapped up within its own introverted philosophy and internal monologues, and I found myself having to re-listen to whole chapters to maintain the thread.

The themes of religion, spirituality, authority, good, evil and the relativism of both, are all present and thoroughly explored and well integrated into the journey the story takes. But equally, the treatment of these ideas often felt heavy-handed, oddly contrived and disappointingly banal.

Frank Herbert was undoubtedly an excellent writer whose work will be enjoyed for many, many years to come. He was of his time and possessed a unique style. If you are a fan, you will love this. But sadly, just not for me.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

"Capable, dependable, disposable."

Beautifully written and read, but just didn't go anywhere Four short stories patched together to make a single book in which young Louis Orne undergoes various trials to become more than he was. Written before the magnificent Dune, there are obvious similarities including philosophical thoughts and each chapter introduced by a cultural or religious quotation. Unlike Dune, however, there's not much of an accompanying story leaving the whole somewhat tedious and unsatisfactory. Even Scott Brick's otherwise excellent performance disappointed be failing to pause briefly at the beginning (or end) of each chapter and reading sufficiently slowly to need a slight speeding of the download.

Fine for anyone who enjoys internal philosophical musings, self questioning and a strange, old fashioned musing on fear, self abasement and religious domination. But with little characterisation
or story to carry it forward, it can be hard to engage without tedium for very long.
"A boredom greater than extinction."

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How to make a god

One of Herbert’s lesser known books, but well worth reading. So much of his philosophy in it and a great story too. Needs to be listened to without distraction

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was alright

I think the Heaven Makers was, by far, more compelling than this book. Still worth a read/listen but it wouldn't be my first choice and recommendation to someone.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

highly informative story

what is God... what is man,if your mind ponders such processes you will enjoy this beautifully written and well researched story

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a book!

Well read, this book covers timeless concepts of our humanity in a beautiful way

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