Frank Herbert (1920 1986) published more than twenty-five books, including five Dune sequels. Born in Tacoma, Washington, and educated at the University of Washington, Seattle, he worked a wide variety of jobs including TV cameraman, radio commentator, oyster diver, jungle survival instructor, lay analyst, creative writing teacher, reporter, and editor of several West Coast newspapers before becoming a full-time writer. His son Brian Herbert continues to co-author new books in the Dune saga. Neil Gaiman (series introduction) is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books for readers of all ages, including American Gods, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, and the Sandman series of graphic novels. He is Professor in the Arts at Bard College. Brian Herbert (afterword) is the eldest son of Frank Herbert. He has co-authored numerous New York Times bestsellers in the Dune series and has written many critically acclaimed novels of his own. His biography of his father, Dreamer of Dune, was a finalist for the Hugo Award.
With daily reminders of the intensifying effects of global warming, the specter of a worldwide water shortage, and continued political upheaval in the oil-rich Middle East, it is possible that <i>Dune</i> is even more relevant now than when it was first published. <i>The New Yorker</i> One of the monuments of modern science fiction. <i>Chicago Tribune</i> A perfect, self-contained work of science fiction [with] a powerful ecological message and a reminder to its readers that their actions will have profound consequences for generations yet unborn. <i>The New York Times</i> Unique . . . I know nothing comparable to it except <i>Lord of the Rings.</i> Arthur C. Clarke, author of <i>2001: A Space Odyssey</i>