Books

First edition, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "for David, Frank Herbert", his printed name struck through. The recipient was David Hartwell (1941-2016), Herbert's editor at Berkeley/Putnam in the 1970s and "perhaps the single most influential book editor of the past forty years in the American science fiction publishing world" (Encyclopedia of Science Fiction). Over the course of his long career, Hartwell edited works by Philip K. Dick and George R. R. Martin, compiled a number of science fiction anthologies, and established the New York Review of Science Fiction in 1988. He was nominated for 41 Hugo Awards and won 3. Hartwell edited Herbert's Collected Stories in 2014 and wrote an account of his friendship with the author to coincide with the book's publication: "by the time I got a job as science fiction editor at Berkeley Books (then a division of G. P. Putnams) I had been reading Frank's work for more than twenty years, having admired it since high school... The contract I inherited was for the third Dune book, Children of Dune, and that was the first one I worked on with him. I went to his house in Port Townsend, Washington, a couple of times, and we got to know one another better. Frank was in those days kind of a big blond-bearded Santa Claus figure who had immense enthusiasms, often about new technologies, but always about ideas, and about stories. He was clever and inventive. I could tell stories about First edition, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "for David, Frank Herbert", his printed name struck through. The recipient was David Hartwell (1941-2016), Herbert's editor at Berkeley/Putnam in the 1970s and "perhaps the single most influential book editor of the past forty years in the American science fiction publishing world" (Encyclopedia of Science Fiction). Over the course of his long career, Hartwell edited works by Philip K. Dick and George R. R. Martin, compiled a number of science fiction anthologies, and established the New York Review of Science Fiction in 1988. He was nominated for 41 Hugo Awards and won 3. Hartwell edited Herbert's Collected Stories in 2014 and wrote an account of his friendship with the author to coincide with the book's publication: "by the time I got a job as science fiction editor at Berkeley Books (then a division of G. P. Putnams) I had been reading Frank's work for more than twenty years, having admired it since high school... The contract I inherited was for the third Dune book, Children of Dune, and that was the first one I worked on with him. I went to his house in Port Townsend, Washington, a couple of times, and we got to know one another better. Frank was in those days kind of a big blond-bearded Santa Claus figure who had immense enthusiasms, often about new technologies, but always about ideas, and about stories. He was clever and inventive. I could tell stories about publishing Children of Dune, and more about publishing his book on using home computers, and how no one really believed that they would sell well. But some of my favorite moments were visiting Seattle in the 1970s and 1980s when Frank was in town and having dinner at sunset on the water, sometimes also with my friend Vonda McIntyre, long friendly evenings of gossip and ideas. By that time Frank was a public figure, a bestselling writer, and there was a film adaptation of Dune coming out." In the same piece, Hartwell describes The Dragon in the Sea as "one of my early favorite science fiction novels... a prescient story about international oil theft from undersea wells in an oil-starved future". The novel was originally serialized in Astounding as "Under Pressure" in 1955-6. READ MORE Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in green. With dust jacket. Boards lightly rubbed at extremities; jacket spine lightly sunned as often, a few tiny nicks and creases to extremities, minimal rubbing, overall bright and unclipped: a near-fine copy in near-fine jacket. David G. Hartwell, "Frank Herbert, His Fiction, and Me", Tor/Forge Blog, 1 December 2014.

"The Dragon in the Sea" by Frank Herbert, also known as "Under Pressure" and later republished as "21st Century Sub," is a captivating novel set in a future Earth where nations are locked in a Cold War struggle over dwindling resources. The story unfolds in a world where oil shortages have escalated tensions to a critical point, and nations resort to covert means to secure this precious commodity. At the center of the narrative is a top-secret mission undertaken by a submarine crew assigned to transport a vital cargo of oil through enemy-infested waters. Led by John Ramsey, a psychologist-turned-spy, the crew embarks on a dangerous voyage aboard the "Pufferfish" submarine. Ramsey's role is to maintain the mental stability of the crew as they face perilous challenges, internal strife, and the constant threat of sabotage. The plot weaves together elements of espionage, psychology, and technological innovation. As the crew navigates treacherous waters, tensions among them intensify due to suspicion and paranoia. Each member grapples with personal motivations and doubts, adding layers of complexity to their interactions. Ramsey's deep understanding of human behavior becomes pivotal in deciphering the underlying tensions and identifying potential threats within the tight-knit crew. Herbert intricately explores the psychological dynamics of the crew, delving into their fears, desires, and insecurities. Through intricate character development, he illustrates the effects of prolonged stress, confinement, and distrust on individuals forced to coexist in a confined space with high stakes at play. The novel expertly combines elements of thriller, suspense, and psychological drama. It offers a profound commentary on the human condition under extreme circumstances and the moral dilemmas inherent in espionage and warfare. Herbert's storytelling prowess shines through as he crafts a gripping narrative filled with intricate plot twists, moral quandaries, and an exploration of the intricate interplay between human minds in times of crisis. In summary, "The Dragon in the Sea" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful novel that delves into the complexities of human behavior in the midst of geopolitical tensions, presenting a compelling tale of espionage and psychological drama set against the backdrop of a resource-starved world.