How Star Wars Conquered the Universe

How Star Wars Conquered the Universe PDF Author: Chris Taylor
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465097510
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 490

Get Book Here

Book 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.

How Star Wars Conquered the Universe

How Star Wars Conquered the Universe PDF Author: Chris Taylor
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465097510
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 490

Get Book Here

Book 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.

The Great Book of Alaska

The Great Book of Alaska PDF Author: Bill O'Neill
Publisher: Lak Publishing
ISBN: 9781648450068
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 182

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Great Book of Alaska is an entertaining, instructive and interesting Trivia & Facts book about the Last Frontier state. You'll learn more about Alaska's history, pop culture, folklore, sports, and so much more!

Crazy History

Crazy History PDF Author: Rômulo Silva
Publisher: Next Chapter
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 247

Get Book Here

Book Description
Get ready for the wildest ride in history! "Crazy History: 100 Mind-Blowing Historical Facts That Prove Humanity Has Always Been Nuts!" is the perfect book for anyone who loves a good laugh and a mind-bending story. With 100 of the craziest and most unbelievable historical facts from around the world, this book will keep you entertained for hours. Discover how some weird people declared war over a wooden bucket, learn about a widow who bought a tank to avenge her husband's death, and find out about the bizarre plan to nuke the moon. These are just a few of the hilarious and absurd stories you'll find in this irreverent guide to the insanity of human history. But that's not all! You see, "Crazy History" also includes profiles of some of the most bizarre and eccentric historical figures, from the king who became a pirate after losing his throne to an emperor who had more ego than sense. And if that's not enough to blow your mind, the book also features stories of how some people met an untimely end in the most unexpected ways. So why wait? Grab a copy of these hilarious and absurd stories today and prepare to be amazed, amused, and slightly disturbed by the sheer nuttiness of the past. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a good laugh, this book is guaranteed to entertain and enlighten.

Madness and Civilization

Madness and Civilization PDF Author: Michel Foucault
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0307833100
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Get Book Here

Book Description
Michel Foucault examines the archeology of madness in the West from 1500 to 1800 - from the late Middle Ages, when insanity was still considered part of everyday life and fools and lunatics walked the streets freely, to the time when such people began to be considered a threat, asylums were first built, and walls were erected between the "insane" and the rest of humanity.

The Great Book of Colorado

The Great Book of Colorado PDF Author: Bill O'Neill
Publisher: Lak Publishing
ISBN: 9781648450464
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 182

Get Book Here

Book Description
This is quite possibly the most interesting, fun and entertaining book you'll ever find about the state of Colorado. It comes packed with interesting stories, history, trivia and fun facts that will spark your curiosity about the great state of Colorado.

The WEIRDest People in the World

The WEIRDest People in the World PDF Author: Joseph Henrich
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 0374710457
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 420

Get Book Here

Book Description
A New York Times Notable Book of 2020 A Bloomberg Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020 A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2020 A Human Behavior & Evolution Society Must-Read Popular Evolution Book of 2020 A bold, epic account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world. Perhaps you are WEIRD: raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. If so, you’re rather psychologically peculiar. Unlike much of the world today, and most people who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, self-obsessed, control-oriented, nonconformist, and analytical. They focus on themselves—their attributes, accomplishments, and aspirations—over their relationships and social roles. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically distinct? What role did these psychological differences play in the industrial revolution and the global expansion of Europe during the last few centuries? In The WEIRDest People in the World, Joseph Henrich draws on cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explore these questions and more. He illuminates the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, and the profound impact these cultural transformations had on human psychology. Mapping these shifts through ancient history and late antiquity, Henrich reveals that the most fundamental institutions of kinship and marriage changed dramatically under pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. It was these changes that gave rise to the WEIRD psychology that would coevolve with impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition—laying the foundation for the modern world. Provocative and engaging in both its broad scope and its surprising details, The WEIRDest People in the World explores how culture, institutions, and psychology shape one another, and explains what this means for both our most personal sense of who we are as individuals and also the large-scale social, political, and economic forces that drive human history. Includes black-and-white illustrations.

The Great Book of North Carolina

The Great Book of North Carolina PDF Author: Bill O'Neill
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781706061991
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 186

Get Book Here

Book Description
How much do you know about the Tar Heel State? There's so much to learn about North Carolina that even natives of the state don't know. In this trivia book, you'll learn more about North Carolina's history, pop culture, sports, unsolved mysteries, and so much more. In The Great Book of North Carolina, you'll find the answers to the following questions: How did North Carolina get its name? Why is it known as the "Tar Heel State"? What happened to the "Lost Colony"? Which famous pirate was killed in the Outer Banks? What popular recreational activity was invented in the state? What soda company got its start in North Carolina? Which sport originated from the Tar Heel State? Which NBA legend was raised in North Carolina? What urban legends haunt the state? What's the most haunted spot in North Carolina? And so much more! This book is packed with facts about North Carolina. Some of the facts in this book may shock you. Others may give you chills. But the one thing they all have in common is that they're all interesting! Whether you feel like an amateur or a pro on North Carolina trivia, you're bound to walk away with plenty of new knowledge about the state once you finish this book. Your friends won't stand a chance at your next trivia night! So, what are you waiting for? Get started now to learn more about North Carolina!

Crazy Quilts

Crazy Quilts PDF Author: Cindy Brick
Publisher: Voyageur Press
ISBN: 9780760332375
Category : Crafts & Hobbies
Languages : en
Pages : 159

Get Book Here

Book Description
An exquisitely illustrated history of the Crazy quilt from colonial days to ours, with expert instructions for planning, piecing, and embroidering or embellishing your own “Crazy.”

The Great Book of Ohio

The Great Book of Ohio PDF Author: Bill O'Neill
Publisher: Lak Publishing
ISBN: 9781648450075
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 182

Get Book Here

Book Description
The The Great Book of Ohio is an entertaining, instructive and interesting Trivia & Facts book about the Buckeye State. You'll learn more about Ohio's history, pop culture, folklore, sports, and so much more!

The Last Battle

The Last Battle PDF Author: Stephen Harding
Publisher: Da Capo Press
ISBN: 0306822091
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 258

Get Book Here

Book Description
The incredible story of the unlikeliest battle of World War II, when a small group of American soldiers joined forces with German soldiers to fight off fanatical SS troops May, 1945. Hitler is dead, the Third Reich is little more than smoking rubble, and no GI wants to be the last man killed in action against the Nazis. The Last Battle tells the nearly unbelievable story of the unlikeliest battle of the war, when a small group of American tankers, led by Captain Lee, joined forces with German soldiers to fight off fanatical SS troops seeking to capture Castle Itter and execute the stronghold's VIP prisoners. It is a tale of unlikely allies, startling bravery, jittery suspense, and desperate combat between implacable enemies.