Ken Napzok - 15 May

Copyright 2019 Ken Napzok

Cover & Layout Design: Elina Diaz

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Why We Love Star Wars: The Great Moments That Built a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Library of Congress Cataloging
ISBN: (print) 978-1-64250-000-4 (ebook) 978-1-64250-001-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019935677

BISAC category code: PER004030 PERFORMING ARTS / Film / History & Criticism

Printed in the United States of America

Praise for Why We Love Star Wars

With his deep well of knowledge and heartfelt respect for the fandom, I can think of no one more qualified than Ken Napzok to connect readers to the love of Star Wars. If for no other reason, the fact that Ken has the ability, raw power, and sheer force of will to beat Sam Witwer in a Star Wars trivia contest simply terrifies me.

Jennifer Muro, television writer of Star Wars: Forces of Destiny

Even though this book isnt about the show Get a Life , I still learned a lot about Star Trek . Plus, Ken has dirt on me, so I felt this quote might appease him.

Nathan Hamill, artist, Teek enthusiast, star of The Phantom Menace and The Last Jedi

Why We Love Star Wars will transport you right back to the bliss of watching Star Wars for the first time. Its a reminder of the impact this fantastical world can have on any race, culture, or personal experience. Itll make you fall in love with Star Wars all over again!

Andres Cabrera, producer/host of The Meaning Of podcast

Ken Napzok is the ideal Star Wars fan. He understands the universe, characters, and themes and knows how to express them in entertaining and engaging ways. If anyone should be writing about why we love Star Wars, its Ken.

Alex Damon, creator of Star Wars Explained

Ken Napzok, one of the leading thinkers in the Star Wars community, expertly reminds us all why we all fell in love with this storied franchise in the first place. In this ofttimes divisive moment of fandom, Why We Love Star Wars is an essential manifesto that aims to unite us, to bind us together by celebrating the moments that lead us into the galaxy far far away in the first place.

Van William, singer/songwriter

Hosting the Jedi Alliance podcast with Ken Napzok for thirty glorious episodes forged some of my happiest Star Wars memories. He was the master to my padawan, the light to my saber, the hand wave to my You dont want to buy any death sticks. Ken was born to write this book and to shine a tractor beam of light on his limitless love for the franchise.

Maude Garrett, host/founder of GeekBomb and Whut fashion

We write about what we know about. Ken knows Star Wars. His knowledge on the franchise is second to none. Why We Love Star Wars is an exceptionally fun read, returning us to the first memories and relationships we made with the film while preparing us to embrace what will surely be years of imaginative bliss in a galaxy far, far away.

Frankie Kazarian, professional wrestler with All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

Because of Ken Napzok and this book, we can sound like we know what were talking about on our Star Wars talk show.

Stephen Ellis and Alex Backes, Black Series Rebels

Reading this book, I discovered that Ken not only has the beard of Obi-Wan Kenobi but also the storytelling flair of C-3PO. He had me hanging on his every word like an Ewok. This is the Star Wars book Ive been looking for.

Jamie Stangroom, director of The Empire Strikes Door

The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. So is the power of Star Wars. Ken Napzok captures the essence of that power from Star Wars with every word. Ken binds us to our childhood, our feelings, and memories caused from the galaxy far far away with every word he writes. The Force is strong with Ken Napzok.

The Greek God Dimitrios Papadon, pro wrestler

Ken Napzok is one of my favorite people to geek out about Star Wars with. Being a part of Jedi Council with him always ranks super high in this geek girls highlights list. I am so happy that now everyone can have Kens Star Wars wisdom in a collected intergalactically awesome book.

Tiffany Smithlord Smith, actress/host

Ken Napzok weaves movie critique and personal stories seamlessly to illustrate the heart behind the hardware of Star Wars. Only a writer as skilled as Ken can inform, amuse, and (dare I say it?) emotionally touch on how much these movies mean to him and generations of fans.

Dan Farren, writer/producer, Story Salon

Ken Napzok is an essential light in the Star Wars fan community and, through his writing, reinvigorates what connected us to the Force in the first place. Why We Love Star Wars uncovers the deeper meanings, hope, life lessons, and sometimes hilarity that come from a galaxy far, far away.

Ash Crossan, Porg Nation, Entertainment Tonight

Why We Love Star Wars is THE book for the Star Wars fanthe new fan, the young fan, the old fan, even the fans who have yet to discover the magic. Ken Napzok reminds you, again, of the magic of Star Wars discovered as a kid and, later, put into practice as an adult. Its dissection of themes, its playful ability to expand on what you already know, and its capableness to teach you even more proves this is the quintessential book on Star Wars. It also reinforces one truth: Star Wars is for everyone.

Mark Reilly, writer/producer/host of The Reilly Roundtable

This book is dedicated to every young child, past, present, and future, who watches Star Wars and thinks, I love this.

It is also dedicated to that kid in elementary school who bullied me for wearing a Return of the Jedi T-shirt. All is forgiven.

Ohwaitone moreI also dedicate this book to Moff Tiaan Jerjerrod. I always felt you were unfairly blamed for the second Death Star not being completed on time.

Table of Contents

Joseph Scrimshaw

A thin brown stick, jutting out of a snow bank.

My gloved hand outstretched.

My eyes locked on the stick, willing it to move.

The stick refuses.

I concentrate harder, growling into the scarf wrapped around my face. No, I think. Thats not how it works. The Force flows when youre calm. At peace.

I take a deep breath and raise my hand again, but a voice breaks my concentration.

Its my mother with an important question. One shes been asking with increasing frequency and concern: Hey! You, uh, you know Star Wars isnt real, right?

Like countless other humans, Ive been a huge fan of Star Wars from a very young age. I didnt have the words to express it as a child, but Star Wars was always more than entertainment or escapism to me. I always wanted to make that stick move.

From my earliest memories, I fought to incorporate Star Wars into my life.