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It is sometimes hard to believe that Dune, Frank Herbert's defining achievement, is still considered a science fiction landmark more than thirty years after its initial release. This is a true testament to the timeless qualities the book possesses, and it speaks highly of Herbert's grasp on man's inner motivations and conflicts. Written in 1965, Dune spawned five sequels and a prequel, the last of which was co-written by Brian Herbert in the spirit of his late father, who passed on in 1986. Winner of countless awards when it debuted, Dune is credited, along with J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, with inspiring a great number of today's science fiction writers. Their respective works represent the greatest possible form of praise to this visionary author.

Dune is the tale of the rise to power of young Duke Paul Atreides, a man who watches his family's power taken, only to eventually lead an entire nation to power. House Atreides, led by Duke Leto Atreides, is ordered by the Emporer to assume control of Arrakis, a desert planet full of countless hardships. The planet is also home to the galaxy's only source of melange, a geriatric spice which prolongs life and grants some of its users prescient powers. With the control of this spice comes vast wealth, thereby attracting the interest of House Harkonnen, former steward of the planet and chief rival of House Atreides. Despite knowing the dangers that await them, the Atreides take up residence on Arrakis (also known as "Dune"), only to quickly learn the depth's of Harkonnen treachery.

Ousted from power, young Paul Atreides, sole family heir, is thrown out in the desert with his mother Jessica to die. Yet these two do not die, for they come to learn the lifestyle of the Fremen, a nomadic band of unknown numbers that represents the greatest natural resource in all of Arrakis. In the Fremen, Paul sees a chance to reclaim his family's rights and strike down his enemies. In Paul, whom they call Maud'dib, the Fremen see one who might be their promised messiah who will lead them to power. Is Paul the "promised one" the Freman seek? Can he gain control of the special training he has received from his mother, all the while fulfilling her hopes and dreams for him?

Frank Herbert fashions what can only be called a masterpiece, full of characters as striking and memorable as any captured on paper. Atreides aides Gurney Hallack, Thufir Hawat, and Duncan Idaho represent truly heroic figures, and Paul Atreides is a perfectly imperfect joining of youth's naivete and soon-to-be-realized potential. Herbert does not simply tell a tale of one family's fall and subsequent rise, but rather, he speaks of broader social issues such as government, religion, and personal accountability. For as Paul comes to see that he must lead his new people, he also comes to realize the depth of this responsibility, and the impact a powerful religious figure can have on an eager people. Dune is a novel which can be read again and again, offering something fresh and exciting every time. To understand some of the origins of science fiction, and to realize its true potential as a messenger, one cannot find a better teacher than Frank Herbert's Dune.

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(Reviewed 10/27/99.)