How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise

Product Description

In 1973, a young filmmaker named George Lucas scribbled some notes for a far-fetched space-fantasy epic. Some forty years and 37 billion later,
Star Wars–related products outnumber human beings, a growing stormtrooper army spans the globe, and “Jediism” has become a religion in its own right. Lucas’s creation has grown into far more than a cinematic classic; it is, quite simply, one of the most lucrative, influential, and interactive franchises of all time. Yet incredibly, until now the complete history of
Star Wars—its influences and impact, the controversies it has spawned, its financial growth and long-term prospects—has never been told.

In
How Star Wars Conquered the Universe, veteran journalist Chris Taylor traces the series from the difficult birth of the original film through its sequels, the franchise’s death and rebirth, the prequels, and the preparations for a new trilogy. Providing portraits of the friends, writers, artists, producers, and marketers who labored behind the scenes to turn Lucas’s idea into a legend, Taylor also 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.

Since the first film’s release in 1977, Taylor shows,
Star Wars has conquered our culture with a sense of lightness and exuberance, while remaining serious enough to influence politics in far-flung countries and spread a spirituality that appeals to religious groups and atheists alike. Controversial digital upgrades and poorly received prequels have actually made the franchise stronger than ever. Now, with a savvy new set of bosses holding the reins and
Episode VII on the horizon, it looks like
Star Wars is just getting started.

An energetic, fast-moving account of this creative and commercial phenomenon,
How Star Wars Conquered the Universe explains how a young filmmaker’s fragile dream beat out a surprising number of rivals to gain a diehard, multigenerational fan base—and why it will be galvanizing our imaginations and minting money for generations to come.

Review

“It’s 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 Taylor’s 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 didn’t only create an iconic film franchise, but also a mind-virus that’s 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 Universe—a 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…. Taylor’s 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

“An excellent look at the genesis of
Star Wars…. The book is loaded with tidbits about the creation of the films, worth the price of admission alone…[Taylor’s] put together a volume that’s honest and interesting — and one that’s completely reignited my passion for
Star Wars.”

—io9

“[A] tour de force…. Taylor’s research is staggering, and even fans who believe they know all there is to know about the film franchise will find much to learn—and savor.”

—Associated Press

“An unconventional approach that serves to bring a spark of life that might otherwise