{"product_id":"how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe-the-past-present-and-future-of-a-multibillion-dollar-franchise-9780465049899","title":"How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise","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, \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e -- 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 \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e -- its influences and impact, the controversies it has spawned, its financial growth and long-term prospects -- has never been told. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In \u003ci\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e, 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 \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Since the first film's release in 1977, Taylor shows, \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eEpisode VII\u003c\/i\u003e on the horizon, it looks like \u003ci\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/i\u003e is just getting started. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e An energetic, fast-moving account of this creative and commercial phenomenon, \u003ci\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Basic Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/06\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780465049899\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 512\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.05lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.20h x 5.50w x 1.50d","brand":"Chris Taylor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52750041317557,"sku":"9780465049899","price":22.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe-the-past-present-and-future-of-a-multibillion-dollar-franchise-9780465049899","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}