Discovering Dune: Essays on Frank Herbert's Epic Saga

by Dominic J. Nardi (Editor), N. Trevor Brierly (Editor), Donald E Palumbo (Editor)

Frank Herbert's Dune is one of the most well-known science fiction novels of all time, and it is often revered alongside time-honored classics like The Lord of the Rings . Unlike Tolkien's work, the Dune series has received remarkably little academic attention. This collection includes fourteen new essays from various academic disciplines--including philosophy, political science, disability studies, Islamic theology, environmental studies, and Byzantine history--that examine all six of Herbert's Dune books. As a compendium, it asserts that a multidisciplinary approach to the texts can lead to fresh discoveries. Also included in this collection are an introduction by Tim O'Reilly, who authored one of the first critical appraisals of Herbert's writings in 1981, and a comprehensive bibliography of essential primary and secondary sources.

284 pages, Paperback

Published August 18, 2022

About the author

Dominic J. Nardi is a political scientist with a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Georgetown University. He has published extensively about political institutions in Southeast Asia and has taught comparative politics at George Washington University, George Mason University, and University of Michigan.

He has also published articles about political themes in speculative fiction, including an award-winning article about J.R.R. Tolkien’s views on democracy in "Mythlore" and an essay about ethnic identity in "Blade Runner 2049 and Philosophy (Open Court Press)." He is coeditor of "The Transmedia Franchise of Star Wars TV" (Palgrave Macmillan) and "Discovering Dune: Essays on Frank Herbert's Epic Saga" (McFarland).

Reviews

[Amy H. Sturgis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent anthology makes a needed and welcome contribution to the academic conversation about Dune. The essay topics are wide ranging and compelling, and the guide to previously-published scholarship is invaluable. Highly recommended. My extended review appears in Episode 694 of the StarShipSofa podcast.