The Maker of Dune: Insights of a Master of Science Fiction [Paperback]

Frank Herbert (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Herbert, who died a year ago, wrote two collections of short stories and 22 novels, including the immensely popular, six-part Dune series. However, his short nonfiction essaysculled from newspaper features, correspondence, interviews, introductions to science-fiction anthologies and record-liner noteshave remained uncollected until now. Stimulating, cogent and thought-provoking, these pieces cover much of the same ground as Herbert's fictiondemonstrating his interest in ecology, the future, religion and the consequences of scienceand thus provide clues, as O'Reilly notes, to "the myriad threads that make up the cloth on which Frank's stories are so lavishly embroidered." One section is devoted to "The Origins of Dune," and the book includes a complete Herbert bibliography.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This collection of Herbert's nonfiction consists mostly of essays and introductions he wrote for a variety of publications; two interviews by the editor help fill in biographical details. The book is divided into seven thematic sections, for which O'Reilly provides brief comments. Among topics covered are the origins of the Dune novels and Herbert's views on ecology, pollution, possible futures, and flying saucers. A bibliogrpahy lists available American editions of each of Herbert's books, with his short stories and nonfiction listed separately. Highly recommended for most general collections. Gary D. Barber, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425097854
• ISBN-13: 978-0425097854
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,617,758 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

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into the mind of Herbert, March 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Maker of Dune: Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (Paperback)

This book of essays shows the mind behind the books. He elaborates on his political, ecological, and philosophical beliefs. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has read Frank Herbert's work and wants to know more about the author

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still incredibly relevant to our world, June 20, 2008

By 

S. Ferraro "Feminist Media Fan" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Maker of Dune: Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (Paperback)

It is difficult to give a short review of this collection of articles and essays simply because they cover so many topics. Obviously there are several sections dealing with Dune, and these are utterly fascinating. The Campbell Correspondence is of particular interest as it shows Herbert's thoughts about Dune while he was still writing it. But you can see the inspiration for many of his other works throughout the essays. The insight into his motivations (or at least inspirations) for writing his novels stirs up the desire to re-read (or I guess read if you've not been fortunate enough to do so yet) those books to see those ideas explored.

I found there to be a great deal of serious philosophical ideas in Herbert's works, but here these ideas are pulled from their pretty fictional dressing and discussed more plainly. Which makes it somewhat easier to then turn around and articulate to others. Most people tend to not give weight to arguments that begin with, "I read this in a science fiction story and..."

What I like most about this book is it shows a man who thought deeply about the world, us and our place in it. Who gave it considered thought and approached our world from an angle most people do not. I don't agree with all of his conclusions or ideas, of course, but even in those ideas I disagree with I find inspiration and clarity for my own ideas.

It is a tragedy that this book is no longer in print.