An excellent biography of one of the most influential and far-sighted authors in the history of science fiction. Worthy of Caro and Chernow, Brian Herbert does a thorough, objective, and deeply personal service to his father's legacy.
Not just Frank Herbert's literary legacy, his contribution to the environment and technology as well.

The story of Frank Herbert is as interesting to me as the stories he wrote. Not completely for everyone, but for Dune nerds its a must.

Musím povedať, že ma Herbertova biografia bavila viac ako Duna samotná. Po prečítaní tejto knihy viem, čo Herberta viedlo k napísaniu celej jeho populárnej série.

Did not enjoy reading it. I didn't feel it was very well written. More repetition than I prefer. More about Brian than I cared to know. Forced myself to finish it because I liked little tidbits about Dune and Frank that were revealed.

reading now

2.5 i betyg.

Innehåller väldigt intressanta insikter om Frank Herberts liv, tankar och filosofier, men skrivstilen fångade inte mig alls. Fick anstränga mig för att hålla ihop alla hopp i tiden och se den röda tråden. Pendlar mellan väldigt bra och väldigt tråkig.

Me ha gustado conocer un poco de la vida de Frank Herbert y el papel que representó Beberly Stuart en su vida y su obra, especialmente en toda la serie clásica de novelas de Dune. También la génesis de una novela como Dune que ha marcado un hito en la ciencia ficción de todos los tiempos.

Father to son; son to father

This is really two books. One, a biography of Frank Herbert. But the other book, the son's quest for his father, is, by far, the better tale.

A very interesting man, journo and jack of all trades.

, currently enjoying the read,

This book is well written and really gives in insight into where Frank got his ideas for Dune and how those ideas developed over the decades.

"The Biography of Frank Herbert"  A must read to the interested and a tour de force by Brian Herbert, Frank's "number one son" with Beverly.

This book treads deeply into the raison d'être of Brian's father, Frank Herbert.  Discussing his father's written works, especially his novels, motivations, and "meanings" in detail.

The first one-third of the book deals with the early struggles and obsessive moving around of the Herbert family. It also discusses Frank Herbert's shortcomings as a father.  Frank Herbert is my favorite author, I have bought and read almost all of his novels, many times over.  However, it is rather heartbreaking to read about how he treated his two sons.  Such as when he was writing what became known as the novel "Dune," he took away the house keys from both boys and told them not to come home after school because it "disturbed" his writing.  Bruce, Frank's "number two son" with Beverly, ran away from home, albeit for only one day.

Includes "Sources and Bibliography:"
The Published Writings of Frank Herbert
The Speeches of Frank Herbert
The Herbert Papers (Unpublished)
The Unpublished Writings of Frank Herbert
Screenplays, Film Treatments, and Scripts
Films Involving the Works of Frank Herbert
Recorded Interviews of Frank Herbert
Other Recordings
The Published Writings of Beverly Herbert
The Unpublished Writings of Beverly Herbert
The Published Writings of Brian Herbert
The Unpublished Writings and Edited Works of Brain Herbert
Public Records
Other Published Sources

Index

There are some factual errors.  The only one I am going to mention is on page 468, which labels "Sir Edmund Hillary of Great Britain."  Hillary was born in New Zealand.

On page 232 Brian writes: "The first 'Whole Earth Catalog' in 1969 included a big spree on 'Dune,' presenting is as a revolutionary ecological handbook couched in a 'rich and re-readable fantasy.'" Well, I have a copy of the Fall 1969 "Whole Earth Catalog, access to tools," at $4. The spread is 1/6 of a page on page 95 and states:
"Dune. A more recent Hugo Award winner than 'Stranger in a Strange Land,' Dune is rich re-readable fantasy with clear portrayal of the fierce environment it takes to cohere a community. It's been enjoying currency in Berkeley and saltire (sic) communities such as Libre. The metaphor is ecology. The theme revolution."

It has Ace Books Inc. 1965; 544 pp. $.95 postpaid.

There is quote: "These things are so ancient within us," Paul said, "that they're ground into each separate cell of our bodies. We're shaped by such forces. You can say to yourself, 'Yes, I see how such a thing may be.' But when you look inward and confront the raw force of your own life unshielded, you see your peril. You see that this could overwhelm you. The greatest peril to the Taker is the force that gives. It's as easy to be overwhelmed by giving as by taking,'"

"And you, my son," Jessica asked, " are you one who gives or one who takes?"

"'I'm at the fulcrum," he said. "I cannot give without taking and I cannot take without ..." He broke off.'"

Lastly, I want to say "Thank You" to Brian for taking the time, and having the will power and guts, to write this amazing book.