classics + politics

#2 Dune

Dune Messiah

Frank Herbert · 1969

Emperor Paul faces jihad fallout as Bene Gesserit and Tleilaxu plot with ghola Duncan to break him.

2,593-word summary · 12 min read

The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli · 1532

Machiavelli advises Lorenzo on rule through fear and love, fortune, cruelty and mercy.

2,204-word summary · 10 min read

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Milan Kundera · 1984

Surgeon Tomas loves Tereza yet keeps mistresses, while artist Sabina and professor Franz test freedom around the 1968 Soviet invasion of Prague.

2,427-word summary · 11 min read

#1 Dune

Dune

Frank Herbert · 1965

Dune retold: Paul leaves Caladan for Arrakis, spice, Fremen, jihad seeded in desert.

2,138-word summary · 10 min read

#1 The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

Margaret Atwood · 1985

Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale retold: Offred in Gilead, the Commander, Serena Joy, Mayday, and the van.

2,369-word summary · 11 min read

Animal Farm

George Orwell · 1945

George Orwell's Animal Farm explained: Old Major's vision, the seven commandments, Napoleon's dogs, Boxer, and how all animals end up equal but some more equal.

1,985-word summary · 9 min read