How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise
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Why do most people know what an Ewok is, even if they haven’t seen Return of the Jedi? How have Star Wars action figures come to outnumber human beings? How did ‘Jedi’ become an officially recognised religion? When did the films’ merchandising revenue manage to rival the GDP of a small country?
Tracing the birth, death and rebirth of the epic universe built by George Lucas and hundreds of writers, artists, producers, and marketers, Chris Taylor jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and gets inside Boba Fett’s helmet, all to find out how STAR WARS has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long.
‘It’s impossible to imagine a Star Wars fan who wouldn’t love this book. There are plenty of books about Star Wars, but very few of them are essential reading. This one goes directly to the top of the pile’ Booklist (starred review).
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Additional information
| Publisher | Head of Zeus, 1st edition (5 May 2016) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 496 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1784970476 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1784970475 |
| Dimensions | 19.8 x 4.5 x 13 cm |
by Mark Gillespie
Excellent read for Star Wars fans. Personally, I was more interested in the sections that dealt with the creation of the movies, the writing etc..rather than the toys/fan clubs/impact on pop culture part. But it’s a great read regardless, super thorough and glad I found it.
by P. Borrington
An entertaining read, which benefits from the author’s lack of direct access to George Lucas and thus allows for constructive criticism throughout. The structure is interesting with non-chronological chapters delving into the Jedi religion, real-life stormtroopers and merchandising, breaking up the linear story of the films. Highly recommended to both casual (like me) and hard-core SW fans but…
…where is the music?? Taylor gives only cursory acknowledgement to John Williams’ music which seems odd as the general theme of the book is the cultural impact SW has had and the impact of the music has been enormous, with Williams’ SW score virtually re-inventing symphonic film music. SW is recognisable all over the planet by its music and I think it deserves more prominence here. Try thinking of SW without hearing the main theme or the Imperial Death March, or the force theme in your head, it’s impossible. My all time favourite… the love theme playing over the final scene in The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars is the music and the music is Star Wars…
by drawmyfoot
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, from beginning to end. The author will occasionally veer off the linear path of the story of Star Wars, taking pleasing detours into such areas as the 501st squadron, the R2 builders club and more but this reads as a pleasing diversion rather than an annoying interruption. I know a lot of SW trivia but still found more than a few pieces that surprised me.
The tone of the book is very easy to dip in and out of or to get immersed in if you have more time.
Highly recommended for the Star Wars fan in your life as a Christmas present or just a “Happy Tuesday” gift if you’re feeling kind. There’s a very good chance they’ll be very grateful either way.
by Matthew Johns
As a long term fan of Star Wars (still fondly remember seeing what became episode 4 on its original release) I found this a wonderful look at the background to the films. Very well written, what could have been a very dry or dull story was actually fascinating throughout. Heartily recommended to either Star Wars fans, or anyone who would find the development (and problems) behind a major film series interesting. Loved it!
by S. Brackenridge
As a child of he Eighties, who grew up obsessed with Star Wars (and who is trying very hard not to get too excited about the upcoming new film – having been burned by the dreadful prequels…), I was really looking forward to this book. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. It has been several weeks since I gave up ploughing through it and I really have no urge to pick it up. Rather than simply giving a chronological account of how Star Wars developed, and how it became a global phenomenon, we get a muddled series of chapters that jump around. Early on there are chapters about the Jedi “religion” and he various groups of people obsessed with recreating screen accurate costumes. Yes, these deserve to be discussed (although perhaps not at such length – YMMV), but placed near the beginning they are shorn of their proper context. Add in a writing style that is best described as a Sixth-former’s poor attempt at gonzo journalese, and it is not only painful to read, it is also (cardinal sin) boring! Maybe it picks up later on, but I doubt I’ll ever find out.
by MR R K
Loads of history,but more about structure and finance and following rather than stories of the acting talent. I am sure there are countless tomes covering this. Can’t imagine another franchise generating as much cash ever.
1,2and 3 did not enhance the legend of 4,5 and 6 , but with the new Disney financed films ,now back on song .
This is from an from someone who was 22 when the original films came out. Brilliant to introduce my 2 boys now men to these legendary films.
Lucas will never be considered in the same group as Spielberg, Coppola, Scott, Nolan, Jackson, Eastwood, etc in my view but hey he did give us Darth Vader and Indiana Jones.
by Rosie Scott
This book is so good I wish I hadn’t finished it, I could read it forever. He tells the story from its beginnings up until ALMOST the present day, every so often pulling back to view the franchise and – with a lot of affection and humour – the fandom with a wider lens. This is written by a fan for fans, and of course, being a Star Wars fan Taylor isn’t slavishly uncritical, but that’s OK. To be a Star Wars fan is to whinge about Star Wars and its creator and to make fun of it and him, and to defend and love them too.
I loved reading all the facts about stories about all of the people involved. Every little anecdote and name-drop gave me an excitable little thrill; don’t read this book in public if you don’t want people to stare at your foolishly grinning face. So many wonderful, creative minds behind these films that I love so much, but lots of moments where you see how it could have gone another way, which of course gives another little thrill of excitement.
The highlight of the book for me is Taylor’s careful description of the first reel of A New Hope, the first ten minutes of the film. As he describes how each minute beautifully creates the universe of Star Wars and establishes what is to come, you experience it as if you’re watching again for the first time.
The one criticism I have is that the book ends at the wrong time. Clearly Taylor wanted to get it out in time to coincide with Force Awakens, so he ends with a tense description of the teaser for the movie and people’s reactions to it. It would have been better I think, made the whole thing come full circle in a more satisfying way, if he had ended with himself queueing outside the cinema to see the movie. Those last few months of anticipation feel as if they’re missing.
Having said that, if you love Star Wars buy this book. Or buy it for someone who does. You won’t regret it. The force is strong with this one…