Other Worlds, Times, and Places: Frank Herbert


Frank Patrick Herbert
(October 8, 1920 – February 11, 1986)

First Published Novel: The Dragon in the Sea 1955
Last Published Novel: Chapterhouse: Dune 1985

The best known SF by Frank Herbert, and possibly the best known SF period, is the Dune Saga. The story of the desert planet Arrakis and three generations of the Noble House Atreides are unquestionably one of the greatest works ever. But Dune isn't all there is to Frank Herbert. Unfortunately his other works, some of which I think are even better than Dune, have been overshadowed by the media hype surrounding Dune.

The Voidship/Pandora Series

The Voidship series comprises the volumes Destination: Void by Frank Herbert, The Jesus Incident, The Lazarus Effect, and The Ascension Factor by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom.

This series chronicles the developement of a concious Artificial Intelligence and the colonization of the water planet Pandora. This series is one of Herbert’s more psychological settings, deeply exploring the nature of consciousness, religion, and human interaction.

I believe these stories are a little better than the Dune Saga.