Dune by Frank Herbert, First Edition
Dune by Frank Herbert (first edition0 was crowned the first Nebula award for best science fiction novel, shared the Hugo award, and became one of the most famous science fiction novels.
Politics and metaphysics are tightly bound into a remarkably detailed and coherent pattern; an imaginative tour de force.
The series demonstrates how a good SF writer’s ability to create a coherent and convincing hypothetical world can serve the purpose of making philosophical and sociological questions concrete; the series thus becomes a massive thought experiment in social philosophy and is more considerable as such than Asimov’s Foundation series or Bradley’s Darkover series”
The book was adapted as a feature film in 1984, directed by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan, and as 2000 television miniseries.
Summary of the Book
“Dune” by Frank Herbert is a science fiction novel first published by Chilton Books in 1965. It tells the story of Paul Atreides, a young man who is thrust into a power struggle on the desert planet of Arrakis, where a valuable substance called “spice” is mined.
In the first part of the book, we are introduced to the Atreides family, who have been granted control of Arrakis by the Emperor, displacing their longtime rivals, the Harkonnens.
We learn about the complex political and social dynamics of the universe in which the story takes place, including the powerful Bene Gesserit sisterhood and the mysterious and dangerous Guild Navigators.
As the story unfolds, we follow Paul as he undergoes a transformative journey, learning to harness the power of the spice and becoming the leader of a powerful desert tribe, the Fremen. He also discovers his own destiny as the long-awaited messiah figure, who is destined to overthrow the oppressive rule of the Emperor and his allies.
The novel explores themes of politics, religion, ecology, and human nature, and is known for its complex world-building, intricate plot, and memorable characters.
It has been highly influential in the science fiction genre and has inspired numerous adaptations, including films, TV series, and video games.
How Can You Tell if You Have a First Edition Dune?
If you’re trying to determine if you have a first-edition copy of Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” here are a few things to look for:
- Look for a copyright date of 1965. The first edition of “Dune” was published by Chilton Books in 1965, so any book with a copyright date of 1965 is likely a first edition.
- Check the publisher’s information on the title page. The first edition should have “Chilton Books” listed as the publisher.
- Look for a statement of printing or edition. The first edition should have “First Edition” or “First Printing” stated on the copyright page or on the back of the title page.
- Examine the dust jacket. The dust jacket of a first edition “Dune” should have a price of $5.95 listed on the front flap. Additionally, the artwork on the dust jacket should feature a sandworm and the phrase “The Science Fiction Novel that Changed the World” on the front.
If you have all of these elements present in your copy of “Dune,” then you likely have a first edition. However, if you’re still unsure, it’s always best to consult with a rare book dealer or appraiser who can help you verify the edition and value of your book.
Is Dune Part 1 All of the First Book?
No, “Dune Part 1” is not all of the first book. “Dune Part 1” typically refers to the first section or volume of Frank Herbert’s novel “Dune,” but the complete book is divided into three parts or volumes. The full title of the first book is “Dune: Book One of the Dune Chronicles,” and it contains all three parts.
“Dune Part 1” covers the first nine chapters of the book, which introduce the main characters and the political and social landscape of the universe in which the story takes place.
The following two parts of the book continue the story of the main character, Paul Atreides, and his journey to become the leader of a powerful desert tribe and to challenge the corrupt and oppressive regime that controls the planet of Arrakis.
So, if you’re interested in reading the complete story of “Dune,” you should look for a copy of the full book, rather than just the first part.
How Many Editions of Dune are there?
There have been many editions of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” published since it first came out in 1965. The number of editions can vary depending on the specific criteria used to define an edition, such as changes in the cover art, size, publisher, or other factors.
However, some notable editions of “Dune” include:
- First edition: The first edition of “Dune” was published in 1965 by Chilton Books and is highly sought after by collectors.
- Ace Books edition: In 1965, Ace Books published an unauthorized edition of “Dune” in paperback, which included some minor changes to the text. This edition is sometimes referred to as the “Ace edition” or the “bootleg edition.”
- Science Fiction Book Club edition: The Science Fiction Book Club published a special edition of “Dune” in 1965 that included a different cover and was printed in a smaller format.
- 40th Anniversary Edition: In 2005, Ace Books published a special 40th-anniversary edition of “Dune,” which included a new introduction by Brian Herbert, Frank Herbert’s son, and co-author.
- Penguin Galaxy Edition: In 2016, Penguin published a special edition of “Dune” as part of their Penguin Galaxy series, which featured a new cover design by artist Alex Trochut and an introduction by Neil Gaiman.
There are many more editions of “Dune” than the ones listed above, as it has been published in dozens of languages and in various formats, including hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook.