[Liberty Tree Surgeon]

The second sequel wasn’t bad, third OK, too, but it started getting a little off after that. I also would NOT recommend the sequels his son wrote - the writing style is not at the elder Herbert’s level by a long shot.

To sum up - Dune stands alone VERY well. You aren’t missing much if you stop there.

You might also check out the Foundation trilogy by Asimov. And if you want a semi-historical series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, try Neil Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. It’s several thousand pages of adventure and laugh-out-loud bits that manages to explain currency exchanges and delve into palace intrigue of the French court. Oh, and Isaac Newton is one of the main characters.

[Radix]

I also like the Neal Stephenson books, but I have been stuck on that 3rd book ‘system of the world’ for months now. I will get it done by
Spring I am certain.

The Cryptonomicron book was one if the coolest books that I have ever read.

[FredZarguna]

I would agree, the quality of the Dune Series declines linearly after the first book, exponentially after the third one. I'd add that the Foundation Trilogy should be all of the Foundation series that you read. Reading the fourth book in the series was a huge letdown, and the fifth book in the series left me asking, "Did Asimov even read his original Trilogy?" It sure didn't seem like it.

[Chickensoup]

If you are reading the foundation trilogy, there is a fourth book addon that is good. However his fifth addon was not worth half the price.

[Antoninus II]

You might also check out the Foundation trilogy by Asimov.

Totally agree. His robot series ties in nicely with the Foundation series as well.

[jdsteel]

“To sum up - Dune stands alone VERY well. You aren’t missing much if you stop there. You might also check out the Foundation trilogy by Asimov. “

Excellent advice on both counts.