The Science of Dune: An Unauthorized Exploration Into the Real Science Behind Frank Herbert's Fictional Universe

This book is really a collection of essays by various authors about topics of the Dune setting. Obviously, with so many authors the books lacks a single unifying tone or mood as some essays use more humor than others, others are more narrow in focus, etc. The result can be "uneven" especially when read in a couple of sittings. I think my favorite essay was on "Melange" and the way the author Dr. Carol Hart relates it to LSD and other mind altering drugs is interesting approach. Very much a "you get out of it what you put into it" sort of situation. I also liked the deconstruction of the Stillsuit by John C. Smith. As an engineer I had always wondered about the thermodynamics of the device and was interested in seeing if someone had a plausible method for allowing it to function. You don't need much "Dune" experience to understand and enjoy this book. If you have read the first novel, seen the movie or Sci-Fi channel mini-series you will know enough to relate to the essays.

Do you like Dune? I mean...do you REALLY LIKE Dune? No no...I mean do you like it so much that you've sat around and wondered about how a stillsuit would work, or whether or not a drug like the spice could actually exist? Or how a sandworm is even possible (if at all)? Better yet, have you ever posted on a message board about these things? If you answer yes to any of these last few then you're a huge nerd and this book is for YOU.

Who knew? The book is a mostly informative/entertaining compendium of essays on the science really found in Dune. Did Herbert really mean to have science in the canon? Who cares! It's there to be had. The don't miss essays are the Stars of Dune (with mileage charts) and My Tleilaxu Eyes (the most creative essay in the book). Pick it up, give it a read and enjoy the science!