Dune

'An astonishing science fiction phenomenon' WASHINGTON POST 'I know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings' Arthur C Clarke 'It is possible that Dune is even more relevant now than when it was first published' NEW YORKER The Duke of Atreides has been manoeuvred by his arch-enemy, Baron Harkonnen, into administering the desert planet of Dune. Although it is almost completely without water, Dune is a planet of fabulous wealth, for it is the only source of a drug prized throughout the Galactic Empire. The Duke and his son, Paul, are expecting treachery, and it duly comes - but from a shockingly unexpected place. Then Paul succeeds his father, and he becomes a catalyst for the native people of Dune, whose knowledge of the ecology of the planet gives them vast power. They have been waiting for a leader like Paul Atreides, a leader who can harness that force ... DUNE: one of the most brilliant science fiction novels ever written, as engrossing and heart-rending today as it was when it was first published half a century ago. Joint winner of the HUGO AWARD for best novel, 1966 Winner of the NEBULA AWARD for best novel, 1965

Frank Herbert (1920-86) is best known for his immensely popular and successful science-fiction novels, but his books include non-fiction works on ecology and home computers as well as contemporary fiction. His classic novel Dune and its sequels have all been worldwide bestsellers, and Dune itself was made into a major film and TV mini-series. The most recent adaptation, which premiered in October 2021, is up for a host of Academy Awards.