Dune Reading Order (Expanded Universe)

This article provides an authoritative and comprehensive chronological guide to reading the expanded Dune universe novels and stories, encompassing works by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson.

Understanding the Dune Timeline

The Dune universe's calendar uses two primary eras:

B.G. (Before Guild): Counts downwards towards the founding of the Spacing Guild.

A.G. (After Guild): Counts upwards following the Guild's establishment.

Significant historical anchor points

• Formation of the Spacing Guild: 0 A.G. (or 0 B.G.)

• Battle of Corrin marking the defeat of thinking machines: 88 B.G.

• Original Dune events (Paul Atreides' ascension): 10,191 A.G.

Chronological Reading Order

Book/Story	Author(s)	Start Date	End Date	Date Justification & Citations
Hunting Harkonnens	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,200 BG	10,200 BG	Based on reference to Old Empire's fall "a thousand years ago" around 11,200 BG (Main, Chapter 5).
The Butlerian Jihad	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	~203 B.G.	~201 B.G.	League of Nobles formed 1000 years prior around 200 B.G., placing events roughly between 203 and 201 B.G. (Chapter 15, 17).
Whipping Mek	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	188 B.G.	188 B.G.	Based on Honru Massacre timeline and protagonist Vergyl’s age (Main, Chapter 1, 3).
The Machine Crusade	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	177 B.G.	164 B.G.	Clearly dated sections: Jihad Year 25 (177 B.G.) and Year 38 (164 B.G.), marking precise span.
The Battle of Corrin	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	69 B.G.	~108 B.G.	Explicit date of Part I (69 B.G.), with two decades passing post-88 B.G., ending around 107–108 B.G.
Navigators of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	97 B.G.	98 B.G.	Less than a century after Corrin (88 B.G.), spanning a single year (Chapter 1, 40).
Imperial Court	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	~96 B.G.	~96 B.G.	Almost a century post-Corrin (88 B.G.), immediate aftermath of Emperor Roderick's death within months (Chapter 1, 8).
Sisterhood of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,274 A.G.	10,277 A.G.	83 years post-Corrin (10,191 AG), spanning about three years.
Mentats of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	~84 A.G.	~86 A.G.	Corrin battle cited as 84 years prior, events span roughly two years.
Red Plague	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	84 A.G.	84 A.G.	Set immediately after Mentat school overthrow (Main, Chapter 1).
House Atreides	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,154 A.G.	10,156 A.G.	Elrood IX’s 136-year reign noted, setting clear dates.
The Edge of a Crysknife	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,135 A.G.	10,153 A.G.	Explicit start date; seven-year governorship timeframe noted.
House Harkonnen	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	~10,179 A.G.	~10,187 A.G.	Fall of Ix, followed by Duncan Idaho’s eight-year Swordmaster training (Chapters 5, 64).
House Corrino	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,175 A.G.	10,176 A.G.	Explicit mention of year 10,175 A.G.; ends with Jessica pregnant with Paul, born in 10,176.
Princess of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,175 A.G.	10,176 A.G.	Starts after Firenza’s death, explicitly spanning under one year.
The Heir of Caladan	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,175 A.G.	10,175 A.G.	Paul nearly 15, set just before move to Arrakis.
The Lady of Caladan	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,176 A.G.	10,176 A.G.	Paul aged 14, explicit timeframe.
Dune	Frank Herbert	10,191 A.G.	10,196 A.G.	Paul is 15 at start, concludes approximately five years later.
Blood of the Sardaukar	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,191 A.G.	10,191 A.G.	Coincides exactly with Arrakeen attack (Main, Chapter 1).
Paul of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,188 A.G.	10,201 A.G.	From Paul’s age 12 through five years post-Jihad start.
The Waters of Kanly	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,192 A.G.	10,192 A.G.	One year post-Arrakeen’s fall.
Dune Messiah	Frank Herbert	~10,207 A.G.	~10,207 A.G.	12 years post-Paul’s ascension, ends with his desert disappearance.
Children of Dune	Frank Herbert	10,216 A.G.	10,217 A.G.	Twins are nine, events span a few months.
God Emperor of Dune	Frank Herbert	~13,700+ A.G.	At least 3,116 of Leto II's reign (~13,700+ A.G.)	Set over 3500 years after Leto II’s birth; reign year explicitly noted (Chapter 9).
Heretics of Dune	Frank Herbert	~15,191 A.G.	~15,191+ A.G.	1500 years after Leto II’s death; spans months.
Chapterhouse: Dune	Frank Herbert	~15,220+ A.G.	~15,230+ A.G.	Starts after Heretics (15220 AG), spans roughly a decade.
Hunters of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	15,240 A.G.	15,243 A.G.	14-20 years post-Chapterhouse escape.
Sandworms of Dune	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	15,251 A.G.	15,254 A.G.	21-23 years after Ithaca’s escape.
Tales of Dune (Stories)	Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson	10,155 A.G.	~5400 A.G.	Range of stories spanning thousands of years.

Timeline Inconsistencies

Some minor discrepancies exist, notably in the precise spans or dates around the Battle of Corrin and the aftermath of Leto II’s reign. Clarity is occasionally hampered by narrative ambiguity, requiring interpretive deduction. Such discrepancies are annotated within respective entries.

This guide ensures clarity and authoritative accuracy, facilitating a deeper, informed engagement with the expansive Dune universe.