The type of “seeing” that is involved in a reflection principle requires a mathematical insight that is not the result of the purely algorythmic operations that could be coded into some mathematical formal system. [Roger Penrose ]
Frank Herbert's science fiction masterpiece, Dune, and related books & films, as well as to you who may be curious as to why I enjoy them greatly!
Frank Herbert's magnificent Dune series stands among the major achievements of human imagination. They have sold more than ten million copies and earned awards, such as the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
The Hugo Award is voted by fans who have registered for the annual World Science Fiction Convention, while the Nebula Award is voted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Frank Herbert received the Nebula Award in 1965, and the Hugo Award in 1966, the latter, tied with Roger Zelazny, for his And Call me Conrad (see more on this page).
Frank Herbert's science fiction masterpiece tells the tale of
a desert planet called Arrakis, where an intricate power struggle unfolds in a feudal interstellar empire.
The planet Arrakis is unique in their known universe, as it is the sole source of Melange, the “spice of spices,” literally the “spice of life”: it is not only indispensable for interstellar travel, but it also grants psychic and political powers.
If Tolkien dared further as far as the extent of his linguistic exploration, Herbert elaborated quite a more complex universe, a cosmology reaching far beyond Tolkien's chilvaric England, even though both authors analogously find inspiration in medieval feudal systems.
At any rate, both Frank Herbert and J.R.R.Tolkien have produced top quality literature, which is delightful to savor, and which ranks high on just about every book list. For example, on the The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List's 243rd edition (from April 7, 2002), they both figure among the top ten: Tolkien in second, with a 8.90 score, while Herbert in eighth, with a 8.42 score.
Worth mentioning, too, is that whenever you come across
a Dune title, the author of which is identified as Brian Herbert, and not Frank Herbert, as would be expected, you can be sure that there has been no mistake: Frank Herbert 's son, Brian Herbert, who is also a writer, has given sequel to his father's colossal work. You may likewise find titles, such as Man of Two Worlds, co-authored by father and son.
Two excellent films have been made out of Frank Herbert's science fiction epic, a very long film, in three parts, and one which lasts the usual 100 minutes or so. I have seen each a few times. Now, which of the two films is better, if you ask me, this is hard to say...
Though they by no means resemble each other – except, of course, for the plot which is faithful to Frank Herbert's Dune – I have greatly enjoyed them both, and derived different insights from the experience of watching each. In behalf of the shorter of the two, I must share that I marvel at how much could be packed into those 100 minutes or so! It is quite remarkable.
Here are some links that you'll enjoy checking, as they allow you to access a good number of reviews written on Frank Herbert's work, as well as opinions written by different readers and vhs/dvd owners, on the many volumes comprising the Dune series. It is of course free to look, read, and enjoy:
Use these search boxes below to access specifc titles that you are familiar with, or type in the author's name. Alternatively,
search the eBooks.com Web site – you can download and start reading right away!
Celebrating 
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