Set in the far futureamidst a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynastiesare controlled by noble houses that owe an allegiance to the imperialHouse Corrino, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides (the heirapparent to Duke Leto Atreides and heir of House Atreides) as he and hisfamily accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source ofthe 'spice' melange, the most important and valuable substance in thecosmos. The story explores the complex, multi-layered interactions ofpolitics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion as the forcesof the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis.Publishedin 1965, it won the Hugo Award in 1966 and the inaugural Nebula Awardfor Best Novel. Dune is frequently cited as the world's best-selling sfnovel.