Taylor - How Star Wars conquered the universe: the past, present, and future of a multibillion dollar franchise

PRAISE FOR

HOW STAR WARS CONQUERED THE UNIVERSE

An unconventional approach that serves to bring a spark of life that might otherwise go missing from a straightforward commercial or cinematic look at Star Wars.Washington Post

Even obsessives will likely find much thats news to them... worthy of being savored... amusing... reveals what a huge role serendipity played in Star Wars. New York Post

Delivers a payload of information.... You will find intense emotions in its observations of a battle for autonomy within corporate cinema, and to the public that swoons for Lucas products. San Francisco Chronicle

Here, finally, is a book that, in its very title, separates the tough from the wusses when it comes to exactly the kind of pop-culture consumption, digestion, regurgitation and entrail-reading that began with George Lucass space fairy tale. The amusingly hyperbolic (but serious) title, with its cheerily fevered (but serious) assumption of agreement with the premise and delightfully blinkered (but serious) conviction in the importance of the topic, distills everything one needs to know about the kind of insanely microresearched and breezily written book this is. New York Times Book Review

Its impossible to imagine a Star Wars fan who wouldnt love this book.... It really is hard to imagine a book about Star Wars being any more comprehensive than this one. Its full of information and insight and analysis, and its so engagingly written that its a pure joy to read.... 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)

Taylor brings a genuine love of pop and nerd culture to this comprehensive retrospective on one of the 20th centurys most popular film series.... Taylor has compiled an impressive collection of background research and insider info that any fan would be glad to own. Publishers Weekly

Taylors fan-boy enthusiasm coupled with his inviting narrative style make this a fun and informative read for sf enthusiasts, media studies and marketing students, film industry professionals, and aspiring Jedi Knights. Library Journal

At its heart, How Star Wars Conquered the Universe is a love letter to a franchise that has become entrenched in contemporary culture in more ways than we could possibly count.... A history of the Star Wars franchise packed with trivia and anecdotes that will delight any fan. Shelf Awareness for Readers

An immensely readable look at the worldwide impact of the Star Wars saga over the decades. McClatchy

A smart, engaging book... welcome reading for fans of Star Warsor, for that matter, of THX 1138. Kirkus Reviews

[A] terrific new book. Huffington Post

This is a wildly entertaining book, and if its not the definitive history of the making of Star Wars, I dont know what is. But its more than that: it tells a rollicking good story about storytelling itself, about the intersection between art and commerce, and paints surely the most complete and deeply felt portrait of George Lucas to date. Dave Eggers, author of The Circle and A Hologram for the King

Chris Taylors colorful biography of Star Wars, the franchise that shaped modern culture, is more than just a geeks delight. It is a creativity manualand shows how the relationship between films and fans can stimulate innovation. Walter Isaacson, author of The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution and Steve Jobs

Smart. Eloquent. Definitive. This is the book youre looking for. Lev Grossman, author of the New York Times bestselling Magicians trilogy

Its impossible to overstate the cultural, social, and even political impact of Star Wars. It started as a balm for a people racked by moral confusion, a juvenile bolt hole for a nation with shattered self-esteem, but the blast wave of enthusiasm and love it inspired was to engulf the planet. Culturally speaking it is, quite simply, the Force. Chris Taylors affectionate and hugely entertaining book tracks the phenomenon from inception to dominance and with a wry smile, asks us to look at the size of that thing!Simon Pegg, actor and Star Wars fan

George Lucas didnt only create an iconic film franchise, but also a mind-virus thats infected the imaginations of billions of people around the world. Chris Taylor delivers an exuberant forensic analysis of the phenomenon in How Star Wars Conquered the Universea must-read for any fan, film buff, or student of modern culture. Brad Stone, author of The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon

Every Star Wars fan should pick up a copy of How Star Wars Conquered the Universe.... Taylors extensive exploration of the history of Star Wars and the impact it has had on popular culture makes for an eye-opening and entertaining read.... This book remains a necessary item for any bookshelf. The Wookiee Gunner

This is the best nonfiction Star Wars book Ive read and it will appeal to more than just the Star Wars super fan. GeekyLibrary

Chris Taylor not only manages to put a fresh spin on an old story, but also takes readers on a memorable trip through the past, present, and future of Star Wars fandom.... I dont know of any other book that takes such a comprehensive and in-depth look at fandom. Far Far Away Radio

Even if youre a Star Wars savant, its a fun read.... Hell, give it to your friends and family who are casual fanstheyll be sure to get a kick out of it as well. ClubJade.net

The definitive guide to the first forty years of the Star Wars galaxy. Part biography, part history, part fanboy gossip, How Star Wars Conquered the Universe is an accessible, fun read for any lover of Star Wars. Ian Doescher, author of the William Shakespeares Star Wars trilogy

Whether they read the novelization of the first Star Wars before the film came out, like me, or were blown away by Revenge of the Sith, anyone touched by the most enduring space fantasy mythology of the past two generations will thrill to Taylors passionate telling of the saga behind the saga: How a lonely tinkerer from a backwater town changed the world via interplanetary heroism. To Star Wars obsessives and those wanting to understand modern pop culture: this is absolutely the book you are looking for. Brian Doherty, author of This Is Burning Man

Finally, fans get the full history! The Force is strong with Chris Taylor, who gives us enough stories and juicy details to impress even Darth Vader. This book belongs in every Star Wars collection. Bonnie Burton, author of The Star Wars Craft Book and You Can Draw: Star Wars

Taylor ... is one of a rare breed: the clear-eyed enthusiast who approaches the franchise with an unbeatable mixture of seriousness and levity, effervescence and scholarly rigour. Star Wars is unlikely to get a better book any time soon. New Statesman (UK)

Copyright 2014, 2015 by Chris Taylor

Published by Basic Books, A Member of the Perseus Books Group