How Star Wars Conquered the Universe

This book does a great job of showing the magnitude of the Star Wars franchise. He demonstrated just how pervasive references to the movie are in our society.

The book covered some of the early work by Lucas and some of the moments that went into forming Star Wars, like drawing space soldiers when he was young, asking for reel 2, dialog 2 when editing, Bill Wookey and how Darth Vader came from mixing a classic samurai helmet with a space suit.

After the long, difficult production that barely succeeded, he covered the release of Star Wars. I was too young to be there, but I never realized how big it was. People were obsessed. It invented the idea of a summer blockbuster.

He described the first reel of the film in great detail and it gave me chills, there was genius that, after so many times watching it, I didn't realize was there.

He gave some mention to the prequels from both perspectives, I was glad he gave time to their defense.

I really enjoyed this book, as would anyone who loves the movies. I came away with more appreciation of the movies and Lucas.

A lot of interesting information (I especially enjoyed all the stuff about Flash Gordon and other serials), but ultimately undone by a slavish, fanboy devotion to George Lucas. Whatever George says is absolute truth. So if George says that Star Wars was more influence by the Golden Bough than The Hidden Fortress, then that's the way it is. Even though the author acknowledges the roles of other Lucasfilm people and Star Wars fanatics (the Son and the Holy Ghost to Lucas' the Father), ultimately the book is a loving tribute to Saint George and his brilliance in all things Star Wars and otherwise.