Jedi Gifts
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog & News
  • Collector Tips
  • Store
  • Contact

How Star Wars Conquered The Universe Revisited

2/22/2022

0 Comments

 

How Star Wars Conquered The Universe by Chris Taylor

First, I am writing this blog post not to even come close to addressing a question like this. First, as a 1977 Star Wars Kid, I am embarrassed to say I have not seen it as of June 2018 but I am staring at my Fandango app about to purchase the tickets for tomorrow.

Here is an affiliate link where you can also find the Audio book: https://amzn.to/3s84kSc
Picture

What is the purpose of this post?

I will be turning 50 years old next month and I am a life long Star Wars fan and will always be.   I don't rant on Youtube because the Lucasfilm was bought by Disney, nor to I lament over switching directors, or carry on about perceived weak story lines.

I save that for others.  

I am writing this post to help put the history of Star Wars in better focus by recommending the book "How Star Wars Conquered The Universe".   


In full disclosure the link above will take you to an affiliate link of mine and if you make a purchase I get a small....very small...percentage of the sale.  Ok.  Now you know.

But this isn't why I am writing this post.  I am writing it because as I have completed the book in audio form with occasional rereads of the hardcover book, I am a reborn Star Wars fan.  I love it even more now that I have consumed Christ Taylor's wonderful telling of the Star Wars timeline.


How Star Wars Conquered The Universe - A Must Read

My brother-in-law gave me this book as a Christmas gift several years aga and sadly it sat on my shelf.  It was a heavy book crammed with text.  Being a reader it didn't scare me but I thought what could this book possibly tell me that I didn't already know. 

I have lived it.  From seeing it marketed for the first time at a Giant supermarket to the 17 times I saw Episode IV in the theatres, the digital releases, prequels, and now the spin offs....well except Solo, I thought the book might be boring.

No way was it boring.

I was amazed at the great detail and research Chris Taylor put into this writing.

​

Did George Lucas write Star Wars?

The better question Chris Taylor answers is did George Lucas write it alone?  You will learn that rewrites took place and no, George Lucas did not write this completely on his own.  I won't steal any thunder from the book.

My advice and why you should get How Star Wars Conquered The Universe

The book added much more to my understanding of who George Lucase, the "creator", is and how this story came to be not only part of our culture in the United State but in the entire world!

It details out the build out of the release of Episode IV - Star Wars A New Hope, the uncertainty of Empire, the issues with David Prowse who played Darth Vader on the screen, and how an underground marketing campaign truly pushed Star Wars into the stratosphere.

The book also tells of Kathleen Kennedy's ties to George Lucas long before her taking the helm as Disney acquired it.  

You may think you can be a Monday morning quarterback and put together a better Star Wars trilogy.  However,when you read this you may rethink that.

Get the book or the audio book and embrace this story.  You also do not have to know every square inch of the Star Wars galaxy to enjoy this book.  

If you are a fan of only the first 3, the cartoons, or simply like R2D2, this is a book that will fill in so many gaps.

​

There has to be a downside, right?

The first downside is that the book comes to an end in 2014 before the Episode VII.  It is discussed briefly.

I wish Chris Taylor would write an addendum or create his own sequel.

The other downside is that it may also lift a little of the curtain to show an ugly side to something you love dearly.  I won't say what surprised me but even though this is a creative form it is tied to the hip of a business.  Businesses are designed to make money.

My message to George Lucas

In the conclusion, the book discusses George Lucas and his love of space exploration.  NASA did some special things for Lucas and the Star Wars fans.  But George Lucas also hoped that somehow Star Wars would inspire someone to want to explore space not so much as a scientist but as someone looking for adventure and romance.  Here is my message to George Lucas. I hope somehow he gets this some day. 
"Mr Lucas -

I am a 77 Star Wars kid and a lifelong Star Wars fan.  In the summer of 1977 my father passed away and my world turned upside down.  As a 9 year old kid I found myself a bit lost.  After speaking with my Uncle, my Mom said he talked about the most amazing movie he ever say called 'Star Wars' and that I should go and see it.  So in late July, we loaded up the car with my cousins and my Mom and saw this movie called Star Wars.  I had no idea what it was about.  The name conjured up all sorts of images.  When the Imperial Star Destroyer emerged in the opening seen and the explosions boomed in the theater I am instantaneously swept away.

By the end of that movie I was connected with a character named Luke, wanted to build a robot (aka droid) called R2D2, and was compelled to make a t-shirt with iron on letters that said 'Vader Lives'.  I consumed everything Star Wars from then on out.  Most importantly it put me on a trajectory wanting to be an astronaut.

At the end of Chris Taylor's book How Star Wars Conquered The Universe he notes how you hoped that Star Wars would inspire others to explore space driven by adventure and romance.  I want to tell you that you did that with me.  

I was a good student but now with a goal I began to lay out a plan for my life.  I continued to follow and consume all things Star Wars.  I received my Bantha Tracks newsletter, entered model building contests, and played and collected toys.  

To further my dream of being an astronaut I studied computer science in college and then joined the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leader Class to become an officer.  As you may recall most astronauts in the 1980's just as the shuttle program was beginning were military officers with aviation backgrounds.

When I entered the active duty military I applied to the astronaut program.   However due to limited experience, not enough PhD's, and my change in my focus away from aviation, I was denied.  I wasn't entirely upset as I loved working with my Marines fixing and supplying the various aircraft in the Marine Corps.

It does get more interesting.

After obtaining my Masters Degree I left the military and developed software.  This was now the early internet days and I was entering the civilian world as a techie at an incredible time.  I moved back to Pennsylvania where I was from and worked for a number of years building a software application at a nuclear plant. 

The project downsized and one evening looking for inspiration I visited my old computer science professor who offered me a job teaching "advanced powerpoint".  "There is advanced powerpoint?" I asked.  I loved teaching my first class.  He mentioned they needed more instructors for a new technology degree, so I applied, and have been there now almost 20 years.

While there I have told my story of how Star Wars brought me to this point in my career.  I may not be careening across the stars....yet but I am inspiring others.  To that point one of my students was a software developer for a system on the space station.

My passion runs deep for teaching others.  I have been recognized on multiple occasions for my teaching ability but that is not my goal.  My goal is will always will be to serve others.  I like to think I am a Jedi knight of sorts using my skills to help others.  

So through your creation, you inspired me.  My inspiration pushes me to teach others and they then go forward.

Thank you George Lucas.   Thank you for following your dream.  More importantly thank you for lifting a 9 year old boy out of his own personal downward spiral and setting him on a path to serving others.  

May the force be with you."
If you have not visited the link for Chris Taylor's book and you are a fan of Star Wars, I highly recommend getting it.

How Star Wars Conquered The Universe written by Chris Taylor
0 Comments

Star Wars Black

11/15/2016

0 Comments

 
What is the Star Wars Black series?  Well...I can start by telling you what it is not.  It is not your usual stiff armed vintage Star Wars figure.  Nor is it some muscle bound action figure.  What it is is a highly detailed 6 inch figure that began a little over 4 years ago and continues to get attention of Star Wars fans.  The figures range from the original trilogy up to the Force Awakens.  These are amazing looking action figures.   Hasbro has stated these are great for the older fan to collect and share with the newer, younger fans but they are also geared more to the adult.  With that being said, if you are a kid and you think they look cool, then get one. 

The detail on these are really impressive and bring to life the characters of the storyline in a whole new way.  You can find a number of the Star Wars Black series figures in our Amazone store


Picture
Photo: Hasbro
0 Comments

Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar 2016

11/13/2016

0 Comments

 
PictureStar Wars Advent Calendar 2016
Yes, we are at that great time of the year, the Christmas and Holiday seasons!   Once again Lego has teamed up with Star Wars and produced another really fun advent calendar.   This calendar like it predecessors comes with items that are rare and fun.  I posted a live unboxing review on our Jedi Gifts Facebook page.  Most importantly, know that as you get closer to December and the Advent season, these get harder to find and the prices go up.

0 Comments

Star Wars Battlefront - Order Today!!

11/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Ground-based Combat on a Galactic Scale
  • Engage in epic battles on iconic planets including Hoth, Endor, and Tatooine. Also, bring the fight to the previously unexplored planet, Sullust
  • Pilot a diverse set of ground-based vehicles including nimble speeder bikes, massive AT-ATs, and more

Master the Battlefront with Iconic Star Wars Characters 
  • Play as some of the most memorable characters in the Star Wars universe including Darth Vader and Boba Fett 
  • Encounter a variety of beloved characters from the original trilogy such as C-3PO and R2-D2 (93)


Take to the Skies in Epic Star Wars Dog Fights
  • Pilot the Millennium Falcon, X-wings, TIE fighters, and more of your favorite vehicles in exhilarating aerial combat


Made for Jedi and Padawans Alike 
  • Battle alongside your friends online or in offline split-screen Co-op mode 
  • Seamlessly swap between 1st person and 3rd person views 
Order IT TODAY!!!
Immerse yourself in your Star Wars battle fantasies.

Feeling the ominous thud of an AT-AT stomping down on the frozen tundra of Hoth. Rebel forces firing blasters as Imperial speeder bikes zip through the lush forests of Endor. Intense dogfights between squadrons of X-wings and TIE fighters filling the skies. Immerse yourself in the epic Star Wars™ battles you’ve always dreamed of and create new heroic moments of your own in Star Wars™ Battlefront™. 

Fight for the Rebellion or Empire in a wide variety of multiplayer matches for up to 40 players, or in exciting challenges inspired by the films available solo, split-screen or through online co-op. Star Wars Battlefront combines this epic action on a galactic scale with stunning visual recreations of some of the most iconic planets, weapons, characters, and vehicles in the Star Wars universe and the original sound effects from the films, to give Star Wars fans the ultimate, authentic and immersive interactive experience they’ve been looking for.

The Most Immersive and Photorealistic Interactive Entertainment Experience 
  • Visit classic planets from the original Star Wars trilogy, detailed with an unprecedented amou


STAR WARS & TM 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Game code and certain audio and/or visual material 2015 Electronic Arts Inc.
0 Comments

Star Wars Advent Calendar 2015

10/24/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

The Star Wars Advent Calendar 2015 is hear again.  This is one our favorite Lego kits and is alot of fun during the Christmas Holiday.  The Star Wars Advent Calendar offers unique figures in every set and has been doing it now for over 7 years.  They do go fast and as the holiday approaches the price goes up.

Get one today!

  • Open a window every day to reveal 24 different LEGO Star Wars themed gifts; features 5 minifigures and 2 holiday-themed Droids
  • Vehicles include Jabba's Sail Barge, Sand crawler, Star Destroyer, Millennium Falcon, AT-AT, A-wing Starfighter and a sleigh
  • Also features an Ewok weapon rack, catapult, gun turret, blaster rack and Hoth command post
  • Play out fun LEGO Star Wars scenes on the fold-out playmat
  • Makes a great festive gift for humans and Sith Lords everywhere
0 Comments

BB8 App Enabled Droid

9/29/2015

0 Comments

 
This Christmas and Holiday Season will be a buzz with all sorts of Star Wars items.  However, I think BB8 will be leading the way.  I had the chance to try this out last week and I was impressed that it actually moved around as well as it did and the app was easy to install and use!!

​
0 Comments

Back Online with a New Look!

9/28/2015

0 Comments

 
It has been a while and few technical issues, but we are up and running on Weebly.  Check back soon for new updates about the things we love best about Star Wars and it's collectors universe!!
0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2022
    November 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog & News
  • Collector Tips
  • Store
  • Contact