The Secret History of Star Wars

De: Michael Kaminski

Narrado por: Josh Robert Thompson

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

Truly in depth and exhaustive research

A truly in depth analysis on the history and evolution of Star Wars that over the years has gone through some incorrect revisionist history.

Narration was awesome and exciting to listen too with voice caricatures spot on. I felt like I was listening to a documentary.

Highly recommended.

Very Informative if wordy.

This book is super informative. I like how is breaks down the writing process if the whole saga (Ep. 1-6 at time of writing) and completely debunks the legend of the saga being planned out from the very beginning. Thoroughly researched with sources from all the way back in the early 1970s, the book clearly outlines how each movie was developed, how they changed, and what was set aside or added draft by draft.
My only negative is that it can be a little repetitive. quotes are used multiple times throughout the book. Each time they are used different parts of the quotes are pointed out to emphasize the point being made at the time. But it can get a little repetitive when listening. I'm sure it works better when looking at a page of the book. But when listening I often through, "Yeah, I remember when you said X three chapters ago. I get the point you are making you don't need to use the quote to prove." I think, because the author is breaking down the myth George Lucas has built up around himself that he's some sort of creative genius that had this entire saga planned out, he's trying to be really careful when making his points. He always backs up his claims with quotes and other research.
I think having the mystique around the writing of the saga taken away actually adds to the story. Lucas is not a genius with a mind no one else can fathom, but he is a very hard-working filmmaker who worked collaboratively with a lot of other people to help create something that is amazing. That story is inspiring. Anyone could potentially do it. This book ultimately makes me want to go out and collaborate with other artists and make art. It probably won't be the next Star Wars......but it could be.

Star Wars history

This book is a 5 out of 5 but I️ had to give I️t a 4 due to its repetitiveness .

You need to not only love star wars but want to know about The creative process behind movie making the history of film. I️ really enjoyed hear how the characters came to be and where many of the ideas for the story came from but it was repeated time and again throughout the book at 611 pages it’s just way too long really glad I️t was an audio book or I️ would not have got through I️t .

learned so much about Lucas, as well as Star Wars

I truly enjoyed listening to this. yes, there was some repetition in some of the facts/stories, so there I gave the story 4 stars. but in most aspects, I could understand why, as you were often being transported back and forth at times; and other times, having to refer back to statements n whether or not they were congruent with later statements.

Josh Robert Thompson did an excellent job in his narration, making me feel as though I were listening to interview clips, rather than just words on a page. I know he wasn't able to accurately capture *everyone's* voice, but he did a great job, overall.

the only thing I was surprised not to hear in the book, was more about the Clone Wars series that aired between Episodes 2 and 3. I know Lucas had a hand in that. granted, there was a brief mention, in regards to 1 character, but that's about it. I'm also curious to see if there will ever be a re-release, with the addition of Lucas selling off SW to Disney, the sequel trilogy, n subsequent TV series that eventually expanded the story.

if you're a big enough Star Wars fan, or even curious about Lucas n how he came to make em, definitely listen to this book!

Great listen!

If you are looking for more information than you'll ever want to know about Star Wars, this book is for you. Pretty good over all, though! The reader's impersonation of George Lucas 's voice was dead on! Recommended.