The Duke of House Atreides has been manoeuvred by his arch-enemy, Baron Harkonnen, into administering the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as 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 : Spice. The Duke and his son, Paul, are expecting treachery, and it duly comes - but from a shockingly unexpected place.
Paul succeeds his father, and 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, and lead them to freedom... The first novel in what became an epic, generation-spanning SF series, Dune was joint winner of the 1966 Hugo Award, and winner of the inaugural Nebula award.
It has been adapted into blockbuster films, TV series, comics and board games. It has had a lasting influence on the genre, and even inspired the naming of lunar features on Saturn's moon, Titan, including the plain Arrakis Planitia.
The Duke of House Atreides has been manoeuvred by his arch-enemy, Baron Harkonnen, into administering the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as 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 : Spice. The Duke and his son, Paul, are expecting treachery, and it duly comes - but from a shockingly unexpected place.
Paul succeeds his father, and 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, and lead them to freedom... The first novel in what became an epic, generation-spanning SF series, Dune was joint winner of the 1966 Hugo Award, and winner of the inaugural Nebula award.
It has been adapted into blockbuster films, TV series, comics and board games. It has had a lasting influence on the genre, and even inspired the naming of lunar features on Saturn's moon, Titan, including the plain Arrakis Planitia.