Дюна

           ’”Andinadramaticscene,asLiet-Kyneslaydyinginthedesert,herememberedthelong-agowordsofhisownfather:“NomoreterribledisastercouldbefallyourpeoplethanforthemtofallintothehandsofaHero.”

           Bytheearly1970s,salesofDunebegantoaccelerate,largelybecausethenovelwasheraldedasanenvironmentalhandbook,warningaboutthedangersofdestroyingtheEarth’sfiniteresources.FrankHerbertspoketomorethan30,000

           peopleatthefirstEarthDayinPhiladelphia,andhetouredthecountry,speakingtoenthusiasticcollegeaudiences.Theenvironmentalmovementwassweepingthenation,andDadrodethecrestofthewave,abreathtakingtrip.WhenhepublishedChildrenofDunein1976,itbecamearunawaybestseller,hittingeveryimportantlistinthecountry.

           ChildrenofDunewasthefirstsciencefictionnoveltobecomeaNewYorkTimesbestsellerinbothhardcoverandpaperback,andsalesreachedintothemillions.Afterthat,othersciencefictionwritersbegantohavetheirownbestsellers,butFrankHerbertwasthefirsttoobtainsuchahighlevelofreadership;hebroughtsciencefictionoutoftheghettoofliterature.By1979,Duneitselfhadsoldmorethan10millioncopies,andsaleskeptclimbing.Inearly1985,shortlyafterDavidLynch’smovieDunewasreleased,thepaperbackversionofthenovelreached#1ontheNewYorkTimesbestsellerlist.Thiswasaphenomenalaccomplishment,occurringtwentyyearsafteritsfirstpublication,andsalesremainbrisktoday.

           In1957,DadflewtotheOregoncoasttowriteamagazinearticleaboutaU.S.