Great Dune Trilogy [Hardcover]

Frank Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1979

Herbert's evocative, epic tales are set on the desert planet Arrakis, the focus for a complex political and military struggle with galaxy-wide repercussions. Arrakis is the source of spice, a mind enhancing drug which makes interstellar travel possible; it is the most valuable substance in the galaxy. When Duke Atreides and his family take up court there, they fall into a trap set by the Duke's bitter rival, Baron Harkonnen. The Duke is poisoned, but his wife and her son Paul escape to the vast and arid deserts of Arrakis, which have given the planet its nickname of Dune. Paul and his mother join the Fremen, the Arrakis natives, ho have learnt to live in this harsh and complex ecosystem. But learning to survive is not enough - Paul's destiny was mapped out long ago and his mother is committed to seeing it fulfilled.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frank Herbert (1920-86) was born in Tacoma, Washington and worked as a reporter and later editor of a number of West Coast newspapers before becoming a full-time writer. His first sf story was published in 1952 but he achieved fame more than ten years later with the publication in Analog of 'Dune World' and 'The Prophet of Dune', amalgamated into the Hugo and Nebula-winning novel DUNE in 1965. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 960 pages
• Publisher: Littlehampton Book Services Ltd (April 12, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575025867
• ISBN-13: 978-0575025868
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,604,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Frank Herbert (1920-86) was born in Tacoma, Washington and worked as a reporter and later editor of a number of West Coast newspapers before becoming a full-time writer. His first sf story was published in 1952 but he achieved fame more than ten years later with the publication in Analog of Dune World and The Prophet of Dune that were amalgamated in the novel Dune in 1965.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best SF ever written?, March 24, 2008

By 

Ignace Saenen (Gent, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Dune Trilogy (GollanczF.) (Paperback)

It won the first Nebula award and shared a Hugo award, and it has been the best selling SF book of all times. Dune, Dune messiah and Children of Dune, the 3 books originally written, tells the dazzling story of an honorable family that tries to keep up in a rat race full of betrayal, trust, heroism and sensitivity. As you will discover, the story is not just playing out in your book, it is everywhere. But while the story never pretends to need a new environment, Frank Herbert brilliantly brings an exciting but very dangerous universe convincingly to life, several thousands years into the future. Taking a step back after reading, anyone will agree that Herbert was a visionary with a delicate taste for symbolism and a way with metaphors that has been unparalleled so far. Dune will lock you into your chair for days, if not weeks, and reading it again becomes a promise much rather than an option. This is a book that will not just be on your shelf, it will dictate what's next to it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great plot, sometimes thick writing, July 22, 2010

By 

Enjolras (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Great Dune Trilogy (GollanczF.) (Paperback)

I like the direction Frank Herbert took the Dune series in his first two sequels. This book has a bit more development than the original Dune. We get to learn more about the inner turmoil of Paul, Alia, and then meet the kids. Frank has a way of creating politically exciting twists and power struggles, without making any one character the villain. Paul and Alia in their own ways are both despots and victims. In terms of storyline, I think this brings the story to a satisfying conclusion (I'm not so big a fan of what happens after Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3)).

Frank's writing style can be a bit dense. Sometimes the dialogue is filled with philosophical or nonsensical musings. Some of it is quite deep - but certainly not how people actually talk. It takes some getting used to. I'd recommend only continuing on to this book if you got through the original Dune and liked it.

If you liked the books, I highly recommend Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (Sci-Fi TV Miniseries) (Two-Disc DVD Set) - it's a pretty good film adaptation of Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles) and Children of Dune (Dune Chronicles, Book 3).

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars new universe with many warring factions, April 13, 2007

By 

M. Roeder (Dingli, Malta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Dune Trilogy (GollanczF.) (Paperback)

Complex, astounding worlds are created in the trilogy and the subsequent titles. The reader follows the young prince into the desert and exciting adventures. Yet advanced technologies, antiquated and new weapons fuel an ancient power struggle and reflect rather dismally on an all too human thirst to control the known world. Whilst the plot keeps the reader on the edge of his seat with surprising twists and turns a philosophical portrayal of mankind unfolds, and the sight is not pretty. A masterful epic.