How the Force Can Fix the World

Lessons on Life, Liberty, and Happiness from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

By: Stephen Kent

Narrated by: Stephen Kent

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From widespread unemployment and mounting international hostilities, every day we are swept into more political chaos - so one brave man looks to the Star Wars universe for answers to our most urgent problems.

“You can’t stop the change - anymore than you can stop the sun from setting.” Anakin Skywalker was never able to live with this wisdom shared by his mother on the day he left home to train as a Jedi Knight. That failure led him to becoming the fearsome villain we all know as Darth Vader.

We’re living in a time of unprecedented and rapid change. An age of chaos. Democracies are in decline worldwide. Dictators are ascendant. Civic organizations are crumbling. People feel lonelier and more rudderless than in any other time in recent history. We’ve tried to slow down, and in some cases we, like Anakin, have tried stop the change, but failed at every turn. The fears that come with living in an age of disruption have produced public anger, and that anger has swelled movements of hate.

Author Stephen Kent believes part of the solution is hiding in plain sight. A story that binds together multiple generations with a common language, a moral framework, and a sense of wonder. It’s Star Wars.

What if we looked to Star Wars for more than just entertainment? How the Force Can Fix the World takes this challenge on by analyzing the core principles of the Star Wars franchise: hope, choice, humility, empathy, redemption, balance and rejecting fear. Together, these are the Star Wars roadmap for living better lives, and maybe even fostering a better politics.

The path that we’re on - where fear leads to anger, and anger to hatred - will only end in suffering. But Star Wars shows us the way back from the brink. Shared stories of virtue that are beloved across cultures and political divides are hard to come by, but Star Wars is one such story. Turn on the news; things are pretty broken right now - but the Force can fix the world.

©2021 Stephen Kent (P)2021 Center Street

Critic reviews

"My friend Stephen Kent has written a definitive analysis of how the virtues of Star Wars transcend political differences and can help us live better lives. In a time where belief in redemption, empathy, and even hope is borderline rebellious, this book is a real force for good - go get this book!" (Glenn Beck, host of The Glenn Beck Show and founder of TheBlaze)

"With so much division and frustration these days, we could all use a book that helps us see a brighter path ahead. Stephen Kent beautifully weaves together threads from the beloved Star Wars franchise to show us how we can each be a hero - by being more humble, more optimistic, and more brave." (Kristen Soltis Anderson, columnist for the Washington Examiner, host of SiriusXM's The Trendline, pollster and founding partner of Echelon Insights)

“From Naboo to New York, Stephen Kent engagingly weaves the themes, principles, and lessons from our favorite galaxy far, far away into the current events and crises happening right in front of us, demonstrating step-by-step how Star Wars might just teach us all to be better humans." (Clayton Sandell, broadcast journalist, producer of ABC News’ “The Force of Sound: Creating sounds in a galaxy far, far away”)

kept me from driving off the mountain

during my 6.5 hour drive after work to see my daughter in north Cac-a-lacky. I love how Earth galaxy religion is so logically, almost Spock like, associated with the force.

It's not about the movies. Its about the lessons.

This book isn't about how world peace and enlightenment will happen if everyone watched all 9 Star Wars movies the same weekend in some global watch party. It takes the lessons learned by those taught to Jedi's (Dark and Light) and shows how they could help using real world examples. Most of the examples are political examples, as this is a moderately political book as well. No matter what your political affiliation is, you will be able to relate to these examples and events.

The book isn't long, so it gets to the meaning concisely and effectively.

The narration is wonderful. Most books I've listened to that were narrated by the author have a lecture type or rant tone to it. They feel like the author is telling you the book. Stephen Kent shares his thoughts and speaks to those listening as an individual and with respect.

Grab yourself some tea, Earl Gray, Hot, and have yourself a great listen while learning how the Force can fix the world.

Do you have hope?

How the Force Can Fix the World is a fascinating book! The “Force” takes the world as we know it, gives us life and light, providing a path through the darkness that is emphasized in our world today. Stephen Kent’s theme of “Hope and optimism are contagious” is one of my favorite parts of this book. As a Christian, I appreciate that we are called to be the light in dark places and that means that we are called to be optimistic. I could go on and on about all of my favorite parts, but I will just say this is a must read, not just for Star Wars fans, but for anyone who wants to see change in our world. Praying this story impacts you as it did for me!

Can the force really fix the world?

In short, Yes!

Mr. Kent weaves a fantastic look into the complex world that we live in and how a beloved movie can in fact improve the world around us. A must read/listen for anyone who enjoys a fresh take on the world around you.

Much Wisdom Can Be Found Here

I really enjoyed this book. It is a thoughtful considered look at what the story of Star Wars can teach us about the world today, with our rancorous political environment. As Star Wars has become an important part of our modern mythology, it seems very appropriate to compare it critically against our own society, as we might with the works of Shakespeare, Mark Twain or the Greek myths. Important works speak to the condition of man, and Star Wars is no different. It is full of wisdom and wit and draws on deep religious and mythological themes. The author is extremely knowledgeable in regard to his subject matter, and makes great connections and inferences.

I highly recommend this book to any Star Wars fans and any followers of American politics from whatever walk of life, Democrat, Republican, Separatist, Jedi or Sith.

Amazing book

As a star wars fan who is also interested in politics, this was a great way to summarize what we see in society today!

A poignant reflection of the lesions of cinema on our everyday lives.

The book provides a wonderful reflection on how Star Wars can be moral compass allowing the reflection of lessons in lore to your everyday life. Excellent resource for all ages.

Great Listen for All Star Wars Fans

This book, so passionately written, beautifully illustrates the basic universal truths that Star Wars can teach all of us. Empathy. Humility. Trust. Friendship. Lifting the veil. The fact that it is read by the author makes it that much better. Stephen Kent uses his love and understanding of the SW saga to make this a highly enjoyable listen whether you are just heading to work or on a long road trip.

Stephen Kent is nerdy, insightful, and relevant.

“How the Force Can Fix the World” is a project that Author Stephen Kent started years ago when he started his Beltway Banthas podcast to see how American politics could be compared to Star Wars and George Lucas’ politics. This book not only compares our politics but emotions to that found in Star Wars. It’s full of lessons that we can learn from the great Buddhist master Yoda or wise General Leia Organa. I’m sure there will be a follow up as politics these days get stranger and stranger and we will need to look once again to a galaxy far, far away for something familiar to ground and comfort us.

Fantastic read, even for casual SW fans

I’m not a huge SW fan, but growing up in the 70s and 80s of course I’ve been steeped in the mythos. I’m also - as we all are - trying to navigate through personal reactions to the difficult political and social polarization I see around me. This book was surprisingly and pleasantly useful in helping me to think through some of these things in a rational but engaging way. I’m often a bit leery of ‘read by the author’, but the narration was excellent - I hope he decides to read other books as well as his own.