The Godmakers (novel)
The Godmakers (1972) is a science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. The title of early editions was sometimes styled The God Makers.
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| Author | Frank Herbert |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Vincent DiFate |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Putnam |
Publication date | 1972 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-399-11006-2 |
| OCLC | 534343 |
| 813/.5/4 | |
| LC Class | PZ4.H5356 Go PS3558.E63 |
Summary
It explores the concepts of war and peace, good government and religious belief. It can be seen as a bridging novel between the all-human Dune universe and the ConSentiency universe series.
It is a novel expanded from four short stories:
- "You Take the High Road". Appeared in Astounding Science Fiction, May 1958
- "Missing link". Appeared in Astounding Science Fiction February 1959
- "Operation Haystack". Appeared in Astounding Science Fiction, May 1959
- "The Priests of Psi". Appeared in Fantastic Science Fiction Stories, February 1960
The story focuses on Lewis Orne, an agent for a government agency which develops 'lost planets.' After correctly identifying a warlike civilization on the planet Hamal, he is drafted into Investigative Adjustment (I-A), which manages dangerous planets. Under the auspices of I-A, he travels to various planets in order to maintain peace throughout the galaxy. At the same time, the priests of the planet Amel, who practice 'religious engineering', set about creating a god, something they have done numerous times before: " 'We do not know from what creature or thing the god will be born', the Abbod said. 'It could be one of you.' " After resolving a number of dangerous situations, Lewis is injured and has a near-death experience. Following this, his psychic powers develop, and after passing a series of tests he becomes a god.
