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In 1977 a single film called Star Wars exploded on the consciousness of the world. Since then the franchise, created by George Lucas, has become a global entertainment corporation. The merchandise of the original trilogy was largely confined to toys and games, but those games have since become computerized, the toys more sophisticated, and Star Wars has moved into the multi-media environment of the twenty-first century in ways unimaginable in the long-ago world of 1977. Computer games and web sites, novels, animated television shows, as well as a new trilogy of films, have all placed Star Wars at the center of world popular culture.
Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise brings together contributors who critically ana-lyze the Star Wars universe from many perspectives. Topics include war, foreign policy, gen-der roles, spirituality and religion, toy play and adult collecting, creative fandom, race, special effects, and mythology. Contributors include Jonathan L. Bowen , Lincoln Geraghty , Jess C. Horsley , Bruce Isaacs , Roger Kaufman, Michelle J. Kinnucan , Mark McDermott , Stephen P. McVeigh , John Panton, Jennifer E. Porter , Andrew Plemmons, Pratt Philip L. Simpson, Rachel Wagner , and Stephanie J. Wilhelm
Customer Review: Solid and Accessible - EXCELLENT READ!
This one finally ties it all together from a variety of viewpoints and with a great deal of creativity! It's not your "usual" Star Wars book - the one that barely tells you more than you, the fans of the world, already knew. It goes 'way beyond that with literate, accessible writing, thoughtful approaches, and it does indeed tie the franchise together in ways we've always somehow sensed they should be -- but couldn't quite do it on our own. It compliments the reader's intelligence and knowledge, and challenges you to further critical thinking (enjoyably so!) about the burgeoning 'world' of Star Wars. Buy, read, recommend to everyone who knows there is real depth to the Star Wars films, and who wants to get into then the way they should be addressed. This is another keeper by Kapell (see his JACKING INTO THE MATRIX volume): you'll have as much fun with it as you had watching the films!
Customer Review: Covers the Territory
With fourteen contributors, and sections ranging from myth and religion to playtoys and collecting, the coverage in this volume is outstanding. Gender issues, racial issues, post-colonial perspectives: the range is well attuned to the _Star Wars_ franchise. Not always praising, but on target and focused throughout. Too many chapters to single any out here, but Plemmons Pratt's look at the future of digital film is worth the price of the book!


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