Rating: Summary: Reprint! Review: About two years ago I learned of this books existence. I had some time off from work to burn so I took all of it in one lump sum. It took me two weeks, searching every single day. At the end of the two weeks, literally the day before my vacation ended I found this wonderful book in a used book store one, count them one block from my home. I actually kissed the book when I found it. I'm not usually prone to that sort of public display of affection, especially toward a book. In this day and age that is too much work. At the very least if the publishers have no intention of reprinting the book they should offer it for download in some sort of PDF format. However, if the reprint of this book was timed to coincide with the release of the final book in that Kevin J Anderson abomination of a trilogy (can the man create his own characters of must he continuously write in other's universes?) the publishers may be surprised at how well it sells. Enough of my rant, but I will echo what the others have said. If you find this book, DO NOT LET IT GET OUT OF YOUR HANDS. It is an indispensable resource when you are reading the Dune books and just plain fun to read when you aren't.
Rating: Summary: priceless, but don't count on a reprint Review: As a devoted Dune fan, I count myself very fortunate to have a copy of this magnificent book. Even though I paid a hefty sum for a less than pristine copy, it was worth every penny. The sheer scope of this book is overwhelming, containing far more information than even hardcore Dune fans will know what to do with. As other reviewers have noted, this work is authorized by Frank Herbert himself and it was put together by a close friend of Herbert so you know you're getting a relatively pure vision of Herbert's original conceptions of the Dune universe. This is an important thing to remember, because it explains why this book will never be reprinted in its original form. See, there are multiple entries in this book that BLATENTLY contradict events described in the prequel novels by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Brian Herbert claims that these new books are based on his father's notes, but the Dune Encyclopedia claims the same thing so somebody is not telling the whole truth here. I'm inclined to believe that the Encyclopedia is closer to Frank Herbert's vision because if it were not, there is no way he would have approved its publication. I was willing to accept minor differences in the prequels but when I got a glimpse of the new prequels dealing with the Butlerian Jihad, the differences became too great to ignore because the Herbert/Anderson depiction of this event in NO WAY resembles the one in the Encyclopedia. It's not just a matter of interpretation, it's an entirely different explanation of what the war was about. Interestingly, I also have a copy of the unpublished Dune roleplaying game from Last Unicorn Games, which used Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson as creative consultants and the description of the Butlerian Jihad in this book is different from both the Encyclopedia and their own book (which would not be published for another 4 years). These inconsistencies have definately made me skeptical of the Herbert/Anderson treatments of Dune and I've made a habit of avoiding anything they've written. Unfortunately, I've heard rumors that Brian Herbert plans to reprint the Dune Encyclopedia, which would certainly be edited and rewritten to conform to his prequels. Of course, if they keep messing with the history the way they have and go on to write the seventh and eighth books in the original series as they have promised to do, its only a matter of time before they have to rewrite the original six books for the sake of continuity! (I'm kidding of course, but I am concerned that they have forced their vision of Dune upon readers who might not be familiar with the original series. Dune was never supposed to be like Star Wars for crying out loud, even if that sells books.)
Rating: Summary: Mastery of Frank Herbert, Inside look at Dune Chronicles. Review: For DUNE information. Great source encyclopedia for the Dune Chronicles. Contains complete life history and bio's of most Dune characters. Indepth look at political systems and religious cultures that define the Dune universe. I am impressed with the wealth of knowledge gained and questions answered on such subjects as the Duncan Idaho gholas, the Bene Gessert universal safety valve in the Missionaria Protectiva, and the running of CHOAM. This encyclopedia is invaluable for any persons with interest in science fictions greatest chronicle of all time.
Rating: Summary: Reprint please. Review: I am a huge fan of the Dune series, including the new prequels, House Atreides and House Harkonnen. I have enjoyed "exploring" the Dune Encyclopedia that I have borrowed from my local library many times. I see that it is an extremely rare book, and now not in print. I am greatly tempted to steal the one remaining copy of the Dune Encyclopedia from my library only because I am afraid that someone else may steal it soon, and I will perhaps never be able to get my hands on it again.How can we lobby together and demand a reprint for this title?
Rating: Summary: Reprint please. Review: I am a huge fan of the Dune series, including the new prequels, House Atreides and House Harkonnen. I have enjoyed "exploring" the Dune Encyclopedia that I have borrowed from my local library many times. I see that it is an extremely rare book, and now not in print. I am greatly tempted to steal the one remaining copy of the Dune Encyclopedia from my library only because I am afraid that someone else may steal it soon, and I will perhaps never be able to get my hands on it again. How can we lobby together and demand a reprint for this title?
Rating: Summary: Why on Arrakis isn't this book being reprinted? Review: I don't understand why this book hasn't seen a printing press in 16 yrs! This book elaborates on the entire Dune universe. All the planets, customs, people, etc.! While Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson say that this book isn't official Dune canon...who cares? It was written with the full knowledge and permission of Frank Herbert himself. And the first installment of the prequel by Messrs. Herbert and Anderson leave much to be desired (creatively, technically, and detail-wise). Any and every Dune fan needs this book. Berkeley/Penguin/Putnam/etc. can't you see the demand for this book. You are guaranteed a hit if you reprint this title.
Rating: Summary: I ALSO DEMAND A REPRINT! Review: I echo the sentiments of the reader in Dallas. I foolishly let my copy of Dune Encyclopedia go several years ago, and now cannot find one anywhere for a REASONABLE price! Why? Why? Why did I ever let it go, especially when I still have all my copies of the rest of the Dune series? Believe me, if you can get your hands on this book, KEEP IT! It is THE authoritative, definitive work on the Dune series. Explains everything in minute detail!
Rating: Summary: Encyclopedia Fantastica Review: I found this book at my local library three years ago, just after I first started reading the Dune series, and it has proven to be an invaluable tool for filling in background information, details on certain subjects, and overall reference use. The intricacy of the compendium is phenomenal, and (I believe) everything fits together seamlessly! My only regret is that it doesn't contain more information; if it did, it would have to be an entire series of encyclopedias, though. It is almost never checked out by anyone, and, since I also work at the library, I am going to be the first person after this book should we decide to purge it from our collections!
Rating: Summary: PLEASE,PLEASE REPRINT!!!!!!!!!! Review: I got interested in the Dune series after borrowing the book from a friend when I was in highschool (who hated it!!!!!). After reading it and seeing the 4 hour David Lynch version of the film I was almost obsessed with the story and the whole series. It was then discovered that my highschool library had a copy of the Dune encylopedia. I spent many hours looking through it and was literally the only student to check it out. I only wish now that I had taken it with me after graduation in 1992!!!! I hope that the publishers will see how desperate we all are to have it back in circulation and make an effort to bring it back. There are enough of us out there that want it to make a good profit for them. Let us all ban together in this effort!!!!!!
Rating: Summary: BUY THIS BOOK NOW! (if you can find it that is) Review: I have always loved the Dune books but alot of things i was interested in were unexplained or poorly explained. The Dune encyclopedia answered all my questions and some I did'nt know I wanted to know. It has everything the dune fan could want so if you find a copy buy it!
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