Introduction Herbert discusses
David Lynch's film
Dune and his own participation in the production, and lists scenes that were shot, but cut from the released version.
Short fiction • "Rat Race" • "
The Dragon in the Sea" - A
psychological thriller originally serialized as
Under Pressure in
Astounding magazine from December 1955 through February 1956. It was revised and expanded into a novel in 1956. The version in this collection is the original short version, only 36 pages long. • "
Cease Fire" • "
A Matter of Traces" - A short story first appearing in
Fantastic Universe magazine in 1958. It is notable for the introduction of the character
Jorj X. McKie, saboteur extraordinaire, and is the first story set in the
ConSentiency universe. • "Try to Remember" - A linguist who tries to decipher the language of a race of frog-like extraterrestrials. • "
The Tactful Saboteur" - A novelette which appeared in
Galaxy Science Fiction magazine in 1964. It was republished in
The Worlds of Frank Herbert in 1971, and established the setting for Herbert's
ConSentiency universe. It is a sequel to the above story "
A Matter of Traces". • "The Road to Dune" - Set in Herbert's
Dune universe, this short "guidebook" takes the form of a guidebook for pilgrims to the planet
Arrakis, following the fall of
Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. It was illustrated by
Welsh artist
Jim Burns. The "guidebook" discusses the major sights in the capital city,
Arrakeen, including the Grand Palace and Temple of Alia. It also features images (with descriptions) of some of the devices and characters presented in the novels, including Paul's personal
ornithopter, an
Ixian heating device,
Princess Irulan,
Duncan Idaho, and
Reverend Mother Mohiam. • "By the Book" • "Seed Stock" • "Murder Will In" • "Passage for Piano" • "Death of a City" • "
Frogs and Scientists" ==Reception==