Dune is one of those epic stories that science fiction fans have to read at some point in their life. Like Asimov’s Foundation series and Clarke’s 2001, this story has staying power.

You can approach the story from a variety of angles.

• It’s a ecological tale (written in 1965!) about the desire to work with a planet’s environment to create a healthy future.
• It’s a political tale about the endless subterfuge employed by the power-brokers of the world.
• It’s a religious tale about the results of spirituality on a culture.
• It’s a philosophical tale about determinism and destiny.
• It’s an action adventure story (with a dash of mystery) set in a fully realized alternate universe.

It’s simply engaging on every level.

Fortunately, Herbert went on to write a number of follow-up novels. Other authors have continued after him to write in his world. I’ll be able to take plenty of trips back to Arrakis.

—Frank Herbert, Dune (New York: Berkley Books, 1965).