History Literature / DuneEncyclopedia

** The Dune Encyclopedia has a list of every Emperor along with the dates of their reigns. Shaddam IV's immediate predecessors were Fredhrick XIX, Corrin XXV and Elrood IX. Shaddam III reigned 4200 years before Shaddam IV, Shaddam II was some 3000 years before that, and Shaddam I reigned 2400 years before him. Shaddam IV was the 81st "Padishah" Emperor, but the 370th Emperor of the Known Universe. Number 1 was Alexander the Great, so it isn't supposed to be an accurate list.

* UnreliableNarrator: ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is very much an example of this. It is framed as an encyclopedia within the ''Dune'' universe, purportedly 5,000 years after the events of the first novel and after the historical record has been greatly altered or lost. Several of the entries either contradict or give a different perspective on the events of the novels. It is up to the reader to determine what account, if any, "really" happened.

* ThemeNaming: (Nearly) all the Bene Gesserit have names of the form Something-us (Female Name) (Surname), which is slightly odd considering -us is a male suffix.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: In-universe, Many instances, given the nature of the work, but especially the back-to-back articles on Count Hasimir Fenring and Margot, Lady Fenring. Were they in a relatively happy relationship, with Hasimir a willing accomplice to Margot's Bene Gesserit breeding work, or was she forcing him to help with the threat of poison and paralysis-by-TriggerPhrase despite his resentment?

* MadLibThrillerTitle: ''Dune...'' or ''...of Dune'' - Dune Encyclopedia

* FutureImperfect: According to the pseudo-canon encyclopedia, House Atreides claims to have been founded by Atreus, the son of Agamemnon of GreekMythology, House Harkonnen claims descent from the Romanovs of tsarist Russia, Alexander the Great is considered to have been the first Galactic Emperor, and members of the "House Of Washington" (i.e., America) were the first historical users of atomic weapons. Averted in some cases, as the Bene Gesserit (and some Atreides) possess GeneticMemory telling them exactly who their ancestors were and covering the entire scope of human history. It's also mentioned that the origin of the planet Ix's name is obscure. Turns out it means [[NumberedHomeworld "nine", from its position in its own solar system]].

FanonDiscontinuity has been applied to both The Dune Encyclopedia and the prequels depending on the individual reader, however hindsight has shown this to be more the case of the prequels as time goes on. While the prequels, particularly the ''Literature/LegendsOfDune'' books and ''Literature/HuntersSandwormsOfDune'', are supposed to be based on Creator/FrankHerbert's notes. Many fans have come to believe the notes either do not exist or have been ignored in favor of the new authror's own ideas. Either way, many fans prefer to continue to use The Dune Encyclopedia as the cononical or quasi-canonical backstory despite the Herbert Limited Partnership's objections.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is written in-universe after the reign of Leto II based on the work of fictional in-universe Archeologist Hadi Benotto. The encyclopedia also references the scholarly work of Bronso of Ix, a historian executed at the beginning of ''Literature/DuneMessiah'' especially in the article for Dr. Yueh. [=McNelly=] uses this in-universe perspective as a pre-emptive explanation as to why information may become inaccurate or dated, since the accuracy of Hadi's source material may be propoganda or otherwise unreliable and subject to historical interpretation.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' gives a rich background to the Franchise/{{Dune}} universe. It included detailed language guides, including Galach and Fremen. It includes detailed character biographies of both maina and minor characters; technical articles such as the workings of the Ixian no-rooms and Holtzman effects; histories of the Great Houses and major schools of the Imperium and historial events such as the Butlerian Jihad. It explores scientic aspects, including the Spice cycle and chemicals/poisons; historical details such as Sardaukar uniforms and awards and even in-universe literary study.

FanonDiscontinuity has been applied to both The Dune Encyclopedia and the prequels depending on the individual reader, however hindsight has shown this to be more the case of the prequels as time goes on. While the prequels, particularly the ''Literature/LegendsOfDune'' books and ''Literature/HuntersSandwormsOfDune'', are supposed to be based on Creator/FrankHerbert's notes. Many fans have come to believe the notes either do not exist or have been ignored in favor of the new authror's own ideas. Either way, many fans prefer to continue to use The Dune Encyclopedia as the cononical or quasi-canonical backstory despite the Herbert Limited Partnership's objections. Ironically, one of the few areas in which the [[PreludeToDune prequels]] followed the encyclopedia is in making Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam into the Lady Jessica's mother, which was according to [=McNelly=] one of the few things Frank Herbert did not like and the biggest topic of debate in their meetings.

FanonDiscontinuity has been applied to both The Dune Encyclopedia and the prequels depending on the individual reader, however hindsight has shown this to be more the case of the prequels as time goes on. While the prequels, particularly the ''Literature/LegendsOfDune'' books and ''Literature/HuntersSandwormsOfDune'', are supposed to be based on Creator/FrankHerbert's notes. Many fans have come to believe the notes either do not exist or have been ignored in favor of the new authror's own ideas. Either way, many fans prefer to continue to use The Dune Encyclopedia as the cononical or quasi-canonical backstory despite the Herbert Limited Partnership's objections.

* DeusSexMachina: An offshoot of the Bene Gesserit called the Honored Matre arise whom use sex as a form of hypnosis. Numerous galaxy-spanning, [[GambitRoulette wheels within wheels]] plots are derailed when it is discovered that there is a man with the same power. And this man trains other men to use that power. Leading to a feud carried on mostly through ''sexual guerrilla warfare''.

However, when Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson began publishing prequels that completely contradicted the Encyclopedia, they retroactively declared ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' non-canon and pressured [=McNelly=] (at that point elderly and close to his own death) into agreeing to this joint statement:

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is a collection of articles written by multiple authors and compiled/edited by Dr. Willis E. [=McNelly=]. [=McNelly=], a close friend of original Dune author Creator/FrankHerbert, consulted with him throughout the process and was given access to early versions of ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'' in order to further inform the work. ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was published in 1984 by Berkley Books, an imprint of Putnam, which published the original Dune Chronicles.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is written in-universe after the reign of Leto II based on the work of fictional in-universe Archeologist Hadi Benotto. [=McNelly=] uses this as a pre-emptive explanation as to why information may become inaccurate or dated, since the accuracy of Hadi's source material may be propoganda or otherwise unreliable and subject to historical interpretation.

Fanon Discontinuity has been applied to both The Dune Encyclopedia and the prequels depending on the individual reader, however hindsight has shown this to be more the case of the prequels as time goes on. While the prequels, particularly the ''Literature/LegendsOfDune'' books and ''Literature/HuntersSandwormsOfDune'', are supposed to be based on Creator/FrankHerbert's notes. Many fans have come to believe the notes either do not exist or have been ignored in favor of the new authror's own ideas. Either way, many fans prefer to continue to use The Dune Encyclopedia as the cononical or quasi-canonical backstory despite the Herbert Limited Partnership's objections.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' gives a rich background to the Franchise/{{Dune}} universe. It included detailed language guides, including Galach and Fremen. It includes detailed character biographies, technical articles and histories of the great houses and schools of the Imperium.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' was published as "complete and authorized". Frank Herbert consulted frequently with =[McNelly]= and Herbert himself wrote the forward which included:

While Herbert himself contradicted the Encyclopedia at times in ''Literature/HereticsOfDune'' and ''Literature/ChapterhouseDune'', it still easily fell within the built-in explanation of the book's in-character reliability. Herbert and =[McNelly]= were planning on writing a Butlerian Jihad prequel using the Encyclopedia as a starting point, prior to [[AuthorExistenceFailure Frank Herbert's death]].

However, when Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson began publishing prequels that completely contradicted the Encyclopedia, they retroactively declared ''The Dune Encyclopedia'' non-canon and pressured =[McNelly]= (at that point elderly and close to his own death) into agreeing to this joint statement:
-->"THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA reflects an alternate "DUNE universe" which did not necessarily represent the "canon" created by Frank Herbert. Frank Herbert's son, Brian Herbert, writing with Kevin J. Anderson, IS continuing to establish the canon of the DUNE universe. This is being done with the full approval of the owner of the DUNE copyright, the Herbert Limited Partnership. While Frank Herbert himself considered THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA interesting and entertaining, he did not refer to Dr. McNelly's derivative work while writing any of his DUNE novels. Likewise, in writing their DUNE novels (beginning with DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES), Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have exclusively used, and will continue to use, Frank Herbert's original notes as well as their own imaginations, and not THE DUNE ENCYCLOPEDIA"

Fanon Discontinuity has been applied to both The Dune Encyclopedia and the prequels depending on the individual reader, however hindsight has shown this to be more the case of the prequels as time goes on. While the prequels, particularly the Literature/LegendsOfDune books and Literature/HuntersSandwormsOfDune, are supposed to be based on Frank Herbert's notes. Many fans have come to believe the notes either do not exist or have been ignored in favor of the new authror's own ideas. Either way, many fans prefer to continue to use The Dune Encyclopedia as the cononical or quasi-canonical backstory despite the Herbert Limited Partnership's objections.

-->Here is a rich background (and foreground) for the Dune Chronicles, including scholarly bypaths and amusing sidelights. Some of the contributions are sure to arouse controversy, based as they are on questionable sources ... I must confess that I found it fascinating to re-enter here some of the sources on which the Chronicles are built. As the first "Dune fan," I give this encyclopedia my delighted approval, although I hold my own counsel on some of the issues still to be explored as the Chronicles unfold.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is a collection of articles written by multiple authors and compiled/edited by Dr. Willis E. [=McNelly=]. [=McNelly=], a close friend of original Dune author Creator/FrankHerbert, consulted with him throughout the process and was given access to early versions of ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'' in order to further inform the work.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is a collection of articles written by multiple authors and compiled/edited by Dr. Willis E. ==[McNelly]==. ==[McNelly]==, a close friend of original Dune author Creator/FrankHerbert, consulted with him throughout the process and was given access to early versions of ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'' in order to further inform the work.

''The Dune Encyclopedia'' is written in-universe after the reign of Leto II based on the work of fictional in-universe Archeologist Hadi Benotto. McNelly uses this as a pre-emptive explanation as to why information may become inaccurate or dated, since the accuracy of Hadi's source material may be propoganda or otherwise unreliable and subject to historical interpretation.

-->Religion must remain an outlet for people who say to themselves, `I am not the kind of person I want to be.' It must never sink into an assemblage of the self-satisfied.
-->-- Dune Encyclopedia

The Dune Encyclopedia is a collection of articles written by multiple authors and compiled/edited by Dr. Willis E. ==McNelly==. ==McNelly==, a close friend of original Dune author Creator/FrankHerbert, consulted with him throughout the process and was given access to early versions of ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'' in order to further inform the work.

The Dune Encyclopedia is written in-universe after the reign of Leto II based on the work of fictional in-universe Archeologist Hadi Benotto. McNelly uses this as a pre-emptive explanation as to why information may become inaccurate or dated, since the accuracy of Hadi's source material may be propoganda or otherwise unreliable.

The Dune Encyclopedia gives a rich background to the Franchise/{{Dune}} universe. It included detailed language guides, including Galach and Fremen. It includes detailed character biographies, technical articles and histories of the great houses and schools of the Imperium.

The Dune Encyclopedia is a collection of articles written by multiple authors and compiled/edited by Dr. Willis E. McNelly. McNelly, a close friend of original Dune author Creator/FrankHerbert, consulted with him throughout the process and was given access to early versions of ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'' in order to further inform the work.

[[redirect:Franchise/{{Dune}}]]