I just finished Book 4, God Emperor of Dune. I liked the first two much better than the third or fourth, as they were a lot more centered around family, sacrifice, honor, loss; themes that anyone can relate to. I can see what you mean about inspiration and I agree. Book 3 is where it starts to get derailed imo, drifting more into abstract philosophical ideas around humanity, history, government, and especially religion, and it comes off as a lot more intellectual than spiritual. It has its interesting moments, but I was not as invested in the characters as I was in the first two books with the personal stories of Jessica, Leto Atreides, Paul Atreides, the Reverend Mother, Stilgar, Duncan Idaho, the Emperor, the Baron, etc. I've got two more to go though, and I will finish it because I don't like to leave things undone. :)

I just finished Book 4, God Emperor of Dune. I liked the first two much better than the third or fourth, as they were a lot more centered around family, sacrifice, honor, loss; themes that anyone can relate to. I can see what you mean about inspiration and I agree. Book 3 is where it starts to get derailed imo, drifting more into abstract philosophical ideas around humanity, history, government, and especially religion, and it comes off as a lot more intellectual than spiritual. It has it's interesting moments, but I was not as invested in the characters as I was in the first two books with the personal stories of Jessica, Leto Atreides, Paul Atreides, the Reverend Mother, Stilgar, Duncan Idaho, the Emperor, the Baron, etc. I've got two more to go though, and I will finish it because I don't like to leave things undone. :)