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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
The book details the trials Lucas and a number of others have gone through for love a universe that is still growing. But if you don’t care about the movies, then why bother? As a study of the evolution of film or tracing a cultural phenomenom, this book does have some value. You likely don’t need to read it cover to cover to enjoy it, though fans will want to. Die-hard fans will likely get to learn something new, even if you think you know every little piece of trivia. And Taylor’s willingness to revere and gently make fun of fans in equal measure widens its appeal. But honestly, many of the chapters and anecdotes are just plain fun to read.
For a full review, visit my blog at http://librarianbeta.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/review-how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe/.
For a full review, visit my blog at http://librarianbeta.wordpress.com/2014/10/25/review-how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe/.
Fantastic read! The author spent a little too much time talking about why people don't like the prequels compared to the couple of pages of people who liked them (including the author). Star Wars has a fascinating history and its impact on society is extremely far reaching, and this book does a great job of covering pretty much everything. A couple of factual errors(like the budget for American Graffiti), but great, interesting read.
Fun!! I've never read a biography of a film franchise before. I wonder how long until a follow-up of the history since the new movies have been released.
This is the book you need to read to restore your love of Star Wars after the residual burn of the prequels. Chris Taylor does an excellent, and insanely thorough, job of chronicling the Star Wars phenomena. This book touches on the making of the movies, the history of sci-fi/fantasy film, emergence of fan culture, advances in technology, the Creator and so much more. I appreciated the research and interviews the author had to compile to make this as holistic as it is.
Who should read this: Fans of the Star Wars universe. Whether you refuse to acknowledge the prequels or not, this book is made for you (plus there is a perfect "five stages of Star Wars prequel grief" chapter).
What you should drink with this: Blue milk is for babies. Have some Jawa juice (aka beer).
Who should read this: Fans of the Star Wars universe. Whether you refuse to acknowledge the prequels or not, this book is made for you (plus there is a perfect "five stages of Star Wars prequel grief" chapter).
What you should drink with this: Blue milk is for babies. Have some Jawa juice (aka beer).
I grew up on Star Wars so this was an interesting read. I said multiple times, "that's the last chapter I need to read," and then found myself reading the next chapter. The book took me from cautiously optimistic about the next movie to excited. I look forward to discussing this at Books and Bars.
Wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I picked this up as an audio book. I'm rather glad I did though. This is a well balanced, extremely thorough account starting from George Lucas' childhood, going through the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney and ending shortly after the beginning of production on THE FORCE AWAKENS. I personally loved the little touches (the time spent with the 501st, the exploration of the heated debate around stormtrooper uniforms, the R2 Builders club etc) that really fleshed out the overall narrative. Perhaps the biggest surprise was how expansive the coverage of science fiction history is in this book. If you love science fiction or are a fan of Star Wars, I'd highly recommend this book.
-addendum: in case it matters I'm nothing close to a die hard fan of Star Wars. I'm a casual fan who loved the original series as a kid, felt like the prequels largely ruined the franchise for me, and am just now coming back to it with cautious optimism for the new film.
-addendum: in case it matters I'm nothing close to a die hard fan of Star Wars. I'm a casual fan who loved the original series as a kid, felt like the prequels largely ruined the franchise for me, and am just now coming back to it with cautious optimism for the new film.
Content:
As a longtime starwars fan, it was mildly upsetting that I never ever had read anything about the "making of" of the movies. The last 20 years I've read almost all the classic Bantam books, the comics, etc,but never anything about how the films came in to being. This grea book has solved this missing part in my life diligently.
There's three main "storylines" in the book that are somewhat intertwined, one more interesting than the other. The first thread talks about the cultural impact Star Wars had, and still has, on the world. Though sometimes interesting,to me it felt more like a tribute to the many people who dedicate their lives in "living the Star Wars".
The second, and largest, storylines is, luckily, on how the movies came in to being and how the movies changed throughout this process up untill the "final" version on screen (as we all know, "final" is never a given with George Lucas). This part provided sweet little trivia throughout and it was interesting to learn the process behind how the movie came to be. The only drawback was that the first few chapters go way too far back in time in order to show the influences older movies, series and books had on Star Wars.
Lastly, a thirdlike "plot" we follow is about the live of the Creator, George Lucas, himself. Perhaps interesting to some, it became rapdily clear that Lucas still is a bit of a mystery and has, successfully, hidden most part of his private life from the public scrutiny. It does however show how Lucas was completely immersed in what he was creating and how great a "recycler" he was, using and moulding things he jotted down in notebooks until they were a perfect fit for the movies.
To conclude: a mustread for a lot of fans, but might've been more accessible if the three distinct "plots" where split in the 3 different, separate parts or even books.
Narrator: At first, the nasal, high pitched voice of the narrator was a bit difficult to listen comfortably to. Once I got over this, I was pleasantly suprised on how the narrator is able to invoke a lot of enthusiasm in the text. As if the narrator is in fact the writer himself (who is a very enthusiastic star wars lover , which becomes clear very rapidly throughout the text). Once the book comes up to speed and starts talking about the movies themselves, the narrator even, successfully, imitates several classic voices and their typical quotes (Jar Jar, Yoda, etc without it sounding to cliché or comical.
As a longtime starwars fan, it was mildly upsetting that I never ever had read anything about the "making of" of the movies. The last 20 years I've read almost all the classic Bantam books, the comics, etc,but never anything about how the films came in to being. This grea book has solved this missing part in my life diligently.
There's three main "storylines" in the book that are somewhat intertwined, one more interesting than the other. The first thread talks about the cultural impact Star Wars had, and still has, on the world. Though sometimes interesting,to me it felt more like a tribute to the many people who dedicate their lives in "living the Star Wars".
The second, and largest, storylines is, luckily, on how the movies came in to being and how the movies changed throughout this process up untill the "final" version on screen (as we all know, "final" is never a given with George Lucas). This part provided sweet little trivia throughout and it was interesting to learn the process behind how the movie came to be. The only drawback was that the first few chapters go way too far back in time in order to show the influences older movies, series and books had on Star Wars.
Lastly, a thirdlike "plot" we follow is about the live of the Creator, George Lucas, himself. Perhaps interesting to some, it became rapdily clear that Lucas still is a bit of a mystery and has, successfully, hidden most part of his private life from the public scrutiny. It does however show how Lucas was completely immersed in what he was creating and how great a "recycler" he was, using and moulding things he jotted down in notebooks until they were a perfect fit for the movies.
To conclude: a mustread for a lot of fans, but might've been more accessible if the three distinct "plots" where split in the 3 different, separate parts or even books.
Narrator: At first, the nasal, high pitched voice of the narrator was a bit difficult to listen comfortably to. Once I got over this, I was pleasantly suprised on how the narrator is able to invoke a lot of enthusiasm in the text. As if the narrator is in fact the writer himself (who is a very enthusiastic star wars lover , which becomes clear very rapidly throughout the text). Once the book comes up to speed and starts talking about the movies themselves, the narrator even, successfully, imitates several classic voices and their typical quotes (Jar Jar, Yoda, etc without it sounding to cliché or comical.
You ever wonder how Greek mythology endured? I'd say it went a little something like this.
But first, let me tell you about a little pet peeve of mine that's become a hobby: praise quotes.
You know? Those random quotes that publishers stick onto the cover of unsuspecting books? They have the vague air of having emerged from a cheap online generator and they barely make any freaking sense? Yep. I hate them so much that I enjoy browsing them.
'Smart. Eloquent. Definitive.' - Lev Grossman or Maybe Neil Gaiman
'Evocative! Irresistible! I'd eat your children if I could pick them up and this book is entertaining enough for you to forget to mind your kids at the playpark while I attempt it!' - Unfriendly Neighbourhood Seagull
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, you see... It's a self-roast, because when I finished this book, all that was left spinning around my head was:
Eloquent, humorous and, above all, so nostalgically evocative. - Yana
Seriously man?? Not you too!
But damn if this book isn't evocative. It made me feel like I was there for the 1977 Star Wars hype, the conventions, the 501st; you name it, this book's got it and it'll make you real emotional about it. It's the beautifully (and humorously!) told story of the modern popular mythology phenomenon that Star Wars has become. It recognises the Creator's work side by side with the millions of fans whose imaginations have kept it alive by running with it and adding to it.
While all the other books on Lucas's life are a Tell-Never-Show and about as enjoyable as licking sand, Taylor's work is so alive and in the moment that you'll learn as much about being a creative as you will about Star Wars. You'll hear John Williams's soundtrack in your head any number of times, you'll feel like you're in California in the 60s and 70s, you'll sweat it with Lucas, and you'll marvel at the countless feats of genius from all sorts of folks it took for this franchise to take off. You'll learn about how revolutionary Star Wars actually was as a piece of art in the 70s, 80s, and 00s. If that wasn't enough, you'll also get to read about some really cool people and what Star Wars means to them.
In the end, it makes you think a lot about what it means to you too, leaving you with a vague sense of community.
But first, let me tell you about a little pet peeve of mine that's become a hobby: praise quotes.
You know? Those random quotes that publishers stick onto the cover of unsuspecting books? They have the vague air of having emerged from a cheap online generator and they barely make any freaking sense? Yep. I hate them so much that I enjoy browsing them.
'Smart. Eloquent. Definitive.' - Lev Grossman or Maybe Neil Gaiman
'Evocative! Irresistible! I'd eat your children if I could pick them up and this book is entertaining enough for you to forget to mind your kids at the playpark while I attempt it!' - Unfriendly Neighbourhood Seagull
Why am I telling you all of this? Well, you see... It's a self-roast, because when I finished this book, all that was left spinning around my head was:
Eloquent, humorous and, above all, so nostalgically evocative. - Yana
Seriously man?? Not you too!
But damn if this book isn't evocative. It made me feel like I was there for the 1977 Star Wars hype, the conventions, the 501st; you name it, this book's got it and it'll make you real emotional about it. It's the beautifully (and humorously!) told story of the modern popular mythology phenomenon that Star Wars has become. It recognises the Creator's work side by side with the millions of fans whose imaginations have kept it alive by running with it and adding to it.
While all the other books on Lucas's life are a Tell-Never-Show and about as enjoyable as licking sand, Taylor's work is so alive and in the moment that you'll learn as much about being a creative as you will about Star Wars. You'll hear John Williams's soundtrack in your head any number of times, you'll feel like you're in California in the 60s and 70s, you'll sweat it with Lucas, and you'll marvel at the countless feats of genius from all sorts of folks it took for this franchise to take off. You'll learn about how revolutionary Star Wars actually was as a piece of art in the 70s, 80s, and 00s. If that wasn't enough, you'll also get to read about some really cool people and what Star Wars means to them.
In the end, it makes you think a lot about what it means to you too, leaving you with a vague sense of community.
Really enjoyable history of what is a genuine cultural (and business) phenomenon, with interesting stories of how the movies were written and how fans have made the franchise their own. Taylor tries to be sympathetic to George Lucas, but it's easy to come away from this book convinced that George Lucas just got really lucky in 1977. Taylor was also good on the tensions between Lucas's auteur-centered view of creative arts and the "ownership" fans can claim once art has gone out into the world.
I've read a lot of books about Star Wars, and Chris Taylor's How Star Wars Conquered the Universe is one my favorites. It aims to be less a behind-the-scenes, how-they-made-the-films book, and more of an exploration of how Star Wars has become a part of our cultural landscape. Taylor argues that Star Wars is so much a part of our collective cultural identity that even the (few) people who have never seen any of the films still know a lot of its fictional world. (Having lived in Papua New Guinea for 12 years, I could easily find people who knew nothing at all about Star Wars--not even recognizing Darth Vader--but in general, Taylor is correct that much of the world knows Star Wars almost intuitively.)
I found the initial chapters the most fascinating. Taylor gives an overview of the kinds of storytelling that influenced George Lucas in the creation of Star Wars, highlighting especially John Carter on Mars, Buck Rogers, and of course Flash Gordon. It's a fascinating look at American pop culture through the whole 20th century. Taylor's narrative falters a bit when he gets further in the chronology and sometimes gets bogged down in the behind-the-scenes details of the films--it's all interesting information, but in those sections it was largely things I'd heard before, and it's easy to get lost in that great sea of Star Wars minutiae. But really, other than a chapter on merchandising that seems out of place where it comes in the book, this is one of the strongest books about Star Wars I've read. (Though he loses points for misspelling two names from Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire story, as well as some odd typos throughout the book.)
Reading it now, post-Episode VII, is a little bit sad, because the book ends just as The Force Awakens is being created. Now we know all about it, and it's kind of a letdown (I know my opinion is different from the dominant opinion). But no matter where the series goes from here, I will cherish the connections that Taylor made as he built this compelling and fascinating portrait of the fictional galaxy and its creator. I'm always amazed to find that, after all these years of Star Wars fandom, there are still things about it that I don't know; Taylor has brought a lot of those things out in How Star Wars Conquered the Universe.
I found the initial chapters the most fascinating. Taylor gives an overview of the kinds of storytelling that influenced George Lucas in the creation of Star Wars, highlighting especially John Carter on Mars, Buck Rogers, and of course Flash Gordon. It's a fascinating look at American pop culture through the whole 20th century. Taylor's narrative falters a bit when he gets further in the chronology and sometimes gets bogged down in the behind-the-scenes details of the films--it's all interesting information, but in those sections it was largely things I'd heard before, and it's easy to get lost in that great sea of Star Wars minutiae. But really, other than a chapter on merchandising that seems out of place where it comes in the book, this is one of the strongest books about Star Wars I've read. (Though he loses points for misspelling two names from Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire story, as well as some odd typos throughout the book.)
Reading it now, post-Episode VII, is a little bit sad, because the book ends just as The Force Awakens is being created. Now we know all about it, and it's kind of a letdown (I know my opinion is different from the dominant opinion). But no matter where the series goes from here, I will cherish the connections that Taylor made as he built this compelling and fascinating portrait of the fictional galaxy and its creator. I'm always amazed to find that, after all these years of Star Wars fandom, there are still things about it that I don't know; Taylor has brought a lot of those things out in How Star Wars Conquered the Universe.