In 1965, author Frank Herbert published “Dune,” considered a masterpiece of 20th century science-fiction and a classic book of any genre.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary, we’re taking a look at Herbert’s series of “Dune” books.

“Dune Messiah” is the second book in the series. It was published a handful of years after “Dune” and is set a dozen years past the conclusion of the first book.

In “Dune Messiah,” Paul “Muad’Dib” Atreides has cemented his role as the Fremen leader and invariably emperor by condoning a jihad that has conquered most of the known universe and left billions dead.

Even while a passage of the book notes that he makes both Ghengis Khan and Hitler look small-time in the conquest department, Paul has allowed the jihad to escalate because his visions reveal that to do otherwise would lead humanity to an even more dismal fate.

Hard to imagine.

It would seem the hero of “Dune” has become an apologist for genocide committed in his name. Allowing his hero to become so corrupted is part of the Herbert’s genius.

Meanwhile, neither Paul’s psychic visions nor his immense powers fully allow him to predict every possible outcome or stop tragedies from befalling himself and his family. Despite his gifts and powers, and that his jihad has subjugated worlds into submission, Paul still has enemies (surprise, surprise). Given the murderous nature of Paul’s jihad, one might consider these conspirators to be good guys, but here, they are, in some cases, literally shape-shifting and two-faced villains.

“Dune Messiah” is a fine read more than 40 years later, but it comes nowhere near achieving the depth of character, the intricacy of plot, the poetry of “Dune.”

Few things do.

Still, “Dune Messiah” is an intriguing next step in the series. In many ways, far more philosophical than the first book.

And its conclusion sets the stage for the third book, “Children of Dune.”