The Science of Dune

December 15, 2007
Frank Herberts seminal sf novel Dune (1965) has spawned a David Lynch film, a television miniseries, and a string of sequels by Herberts son, Brian, in collaboration with Kevin J. Anderson. Following the lead of other science of treatments, such as others dissecting Star Trek and Harry Potter, the authors represented in this fascinating collection pay homage to Herberts vision while analyzing the scientific plausibility of the Dune universes many idiosyncrasies. Carol Hart opens the volume with a treatise on m'lange, the addictive spice that allows starship pilots to navigate hyperspace, and finds parallels with mind-bending hallucinogens such as ayahuasca and LSD. Sibylle Hechtel examines the biology of sandworms, suggesting that their gargantuan size dictates that they be more realistically classified as vertebrate sand snakes. Other essays explore the ecology of Herberts favorite desert planet, Arrakis; the feasibility of water-conserving stillsuits;and the science behind interstellar space travel. An indispensable volume for Dune fans everywhere, and another validation of Herberts fictional universe as one of sfs towering achievements.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)