How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise

Ultimately, I found reading How Star Wars Conquered the Universe to be a cathartic look back on my own fandom. It helped me reflect critically on my relationship with Star Wars. Like many others, I remember seeing Star Wars for the first time; looking for action figures in the toy aisles; waiting on line for The Phantom Menace; reading about the sale to Disney; and mourning the cancellation of The Clone Wars. As much as I’ve enjoyed the roller coaster ride, I haven’t always liked the directions the franchise has taken. However, I’ve now come to accept that my fandom is simply a part of a much larger story. Star Wars is about more than the type of special effects, the continuity of the story, or even the merchandising. It’s about the experience of participating in a common mythology. Everybody has his or her own personal Star Wars experience; this is the first book I’ve read that tries to capture THE common Star Wars Experience. Definitely recommended.