#1098: November 16, 2025

James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans" is a historical novel set during the French and Indian War. It follows the adventures of Hawkeye, a white frontiersman raised by Native Americans, and his companions as they navigate the treacherous wilderness. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the clash between European and Native American cultures. Cooper's vivid descriptions of nature and his portrayal of complex characters contribute to the enduring appeal of the story. The novel's depiction of the conflict between different cultures and its exploration of the changing landscape of North America remain relevant today.

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.