>>7738765>do I have to read something before?Short answer: No.
However ......
Frank Herbert was a sociologist. A sociologist that views survival of humankind as a positive thing quickly becomes an environmentalist. Frank Herbert was drawn into environmental topics for this reason, but it was never his first calling.
> "have to"> "read something"Pretty strong language , and somewhat overly broad. You don't "have to" anything. Also, "something" is pretty fucking vague.
It will help you greatly if you're fairly well-read on some of the more intellectually engaging science fiction themes. Frank Herbert did not write pulp sci fi. On that note, it will also help greatly if you are interested in high caliber head food from your science fiction. Classic heavyweights like Clarke, Asimov, Brin, Cherryh, Simak, etc.
If by "something" you meant other Frank Herbert, then No. Most everyone gets introduced to Frank Herbert through Dune. Nothing else he wrote really prepares you for this work, or is in any way a predecessor. Novels such as The Santaroga Barrier, The Jesus Incident, The Godmakers, and The Dosadi Experiment would introduce you to a number of elements & themes encountered in Dune ... but you might as well just jump off into Dune.
If you're looking for an academic background, general string knowledge in sciences and in psychology help, but you don't require university degrees in those topics. Part of Herbert's genius was being able to write highly accessible stories (usually) that relied on his in-depth knowledge in those fields, but readers could have a far more casual familiarity.
What you "need" is imagination and an intellect that likes to be challenged. Don't be afraid to read slowly and take the time to let your mind wander as you encounter the landscape he presents. His stories are designed to encourage the reader to daydream on many aspects and implications of story elements. It's really the entire point of his stories.
