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The Secret History of Star Wars

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The Secret History of Star Wars

By: Michael Kaminski
Narrated by: Josh Robert Thompson
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About this listen

Star Wars is one of the most important cultural phenomena of the Western world. The tale of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker has become modern myth, an epic tragedy of the corruption of a young man in love into darkness, the rise of evil, and the power of good triumphing in the end. But it didn't start out that way. In this thorough account of one of cinema's most lasting works, Michael Kaminski presents the true history of how Star Wars was written, from its beginnings as a science fiction fairy tale to its development over three decades into the epic we now know, chronicling the methods, techniques, thought processes, and struggles of its creator. For this unauthorized account, he has pored through over 400 sources, from interviews to original scripts, to track how the most powerful modern epic in the world was created, expanded, and finalized into the tale an entire generation has grown up with.

©2008 Michael Kaminski (P)2014 Novel Audio Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Star Wars Fiction Science Fiction Interstellar

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All stars
Most relevant  
If you're a Star Wars fan, this is essential. this book is very well written and superbly researched.

excellent

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Overall pretty good if you are a Star Wars nerd but I guess if you aren’t you wouldn’t be interested in the first place. It’s comprehensive if a bit repetitive and the ‘voicing’ actually makes it easier to listen to.

Very detailed very comprehensive

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narrator does a wonderful job & the book is full of interesting facts about the entire star Wars legacy...

5*

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So insightful. A must-listen to any og Star Wars out there in a Galaxy far far away....

Amazingly well read, brilliant impression

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For a long time I have dealt with writers block I always look at Star Wars or Tolkien as perfect examples of sci fi and fantasy that I could never compete with. Now I understand the importance of drafting and stealing ideas (in a good way) then iterating with others and how actors and editors combine to help the original idea and creative spark. How important a junk first draft is and how that can change into something of genius. George Lucas is a creative genius, but it was only with the help of so many others like his wife (editing and story improvement), carrie fisher (not covered in this book how she helped with the script editing) Harrison ford, mark hamil and so many others that took the creative sparks from George and turned them into something transcendent. I hope George one day finds peace with the contribution he made and realises that building a fortress of yes people around you is not the way to make great art or find happiness. He needs his own obi wan to teach him how to open up a bit to his own feelings. Just an awesome insight on how Star Wars was created.

Amazing! Essential reading for Star Wars fans and writers of sci fi.

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Well, most of it is true, I'm sure. I hesitated to pick this one up as I'd already listened to How Star Wars Conquered The Universe by Chris Taylor, and wondered how this would differ. Essentially this takes the formation and evolution of the Star Wars stories and scripts by using interviews, transcripts and quotes gathered from years of articles to build a pretty definitive timeline, whereas Taylor's book is more concerned with the production of the movies and their impact.
Josh Robert Thompson does a terrific job narrating, and any direct quotes (by, for example, George Lucas) are performed with impressions - which on paper sounds like a terrible idea, but in reality his evocation (particularly of Lucas) is uncanny and made it all the more enjoyable to listen to. Likewise his Irvin Kershner voice is brilliant, though his Francis Coppola sounds a bit more like Stan Lee to my ears!
Others have mentioned a fair amount of repetition in the book, and whilst there are some repeats of information, considering the subject deals with many different versions of a story told at different times, personally I found a little recap refreshing and helped remind me where in the history each part was taking place.
I learned a lot about the stories, characters and ideas of Star Wars, and would recommend it to fans.

It's true. All of it.

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Thoroughly researched and expertly structured. Lots of intriguing insights into the formation of this modern day myth. Narration by Josh Robert Thompson is superb.

Excellent narration.

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I have to agree with other comments about the extreme repetition in the book but don't let that put you off.

This book is a great critical appraisal of the films. It doesn't kiss Lucas butt and is openly critical but at the same time this obviously written by a fan and it makes you want to watch the movies again. The analysis of Phantom Menance is interesting- basically a movie which could be edited into a much better product (ironically the same could be said of this book)

it is a stunning piece of in depth research which gives you a great idea of the creative process of moviemaking.

A really relevant read in light of the new Force Awakens movie. Look forward to a better edited version of the book to include the new movies

Essential for Star Wars fans

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If you could sum up The Secret History of Star Wars in three words, what would they be?

Insight into Star Wars from a different perspective

Any additional comments?

I think all I really want is to Hear George Lucas own version of the history of the Making of Star Wars

Story of Star Wars away from Lucas

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This is an awful book! I could only get through the first few hours and even then I had to speed it up to listen to it. It just repeats its self over and over again and never really gets anywhere. It is badly written and utterly boring.

Terrible

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