Star wars and history
"At last-an analysis of the historical patterns that influenced the creation and storyline of the Star Wars sagaStar Wars took place long ago in a galaxy far, far away, but its epic stories are based on our own history. From Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire to the French Revolution and the Vietnam War, Star Wars and History explores the major historical turning points, heroes, and villains in human history and their impact on the creation of the Star Wars saga. Star Wars and History shows how the atomic and hydrogen bombs led to the Death Star; how Princess Leia's leadership in the Rebel Alliance resembled the daring work of intrepid women in the French Resistance during World War II and the Mexican Revolution; historical parallels between the Jedi Code and Bushido as well as those linking the Jedi culture with that of the Templar Knights and other warrior monks; and all of the history that underlies the Star Wars galaxy. Read how our own civilization's civil wars, slavery, international corporation states, and teenage queens were transformed into the epic Star Wars history and discover how Tatooine reflects the lawless frontiers of the past and Coruscant our own history of glittering and greedy capitals. The first book devoted to analyzing the actual historical events in our past that influenced the creation of the space fantasy, Star Wars Features 12 essays by a wise "council" of history scholars, written in close collaboration with George Lucas and Lucasfilm Gives new insights into central Star Wars characters and historical figures who helped inspire them (including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Yoda, Jabba the Hutt, Lando Calrissian, Emperor Palpatine, and others) Includes both stunning photos from the Lucasfilm Image Archives and historical photos that demonstrate the parallels between both worlds Filled with fascinating historical comparisons and background that will take your experience of the Star Wars saga to a new level, Star Wars and History is an essential companion for every Star Wars fan"-- Provided by publisher
Criticism, interpretation, etc
1 online resource (iv, 332 pages) : illustrations (some color)
9781118285251, 9780470602003, 1118285255, 0470602007
805390983
Print version:
Star Wars and History
Copyright
Contents
Introduction: The Forces of History and Histories of the Force
Part I: Only Imperial Stormtroopers Are So Precise: The Wars in Star Wars
1: Why Rebels Triumph: How Insignificant Rebellions Can Change History
Keys to Rebel Success: A Trilogy of Wars
People's War: A Trilogy of Phases
Why Empires Lose: A Trilogy of Reasons
Evil Incarnate?: The Emperor, Vader, and the Rebel Cause
A Coda: The United States in Iraq and Afghanistan 2: Part of the Rebel Alliance and a Traitor: Women in War and ResistanceA Symbol of Hope
The Maid, the Countess, and the Padawan
Keep Mum. She's Not So Dumb!
The Princess and the Partisanes
Armed and Dangerous
Resistance: Something Old and Something New
3: Elegant Weapons for Civilized Ages: The Jedi and Warrior-Monks throughout History
Ancient Weapons and Hokey Religions: The Origin of the Jedi Order
It Binds the Galaxy Together: Qi, the Force, and the Shaolin Monks Let Go Your Conscious Self: Samurai and the Zen Art of Lightsaber MaintenanceSome Damned-Fool Idealistic Crusade: The Jedi and the Knights Templar
No Such Thing as Luck
4: A House Divided: The Causes and Costs of Civil War
Separatists, Revolutionaries, and Those Loyal to the Empire
Have You Come to Free Us?: The Roots of Civil Wars
Begun the Clone War Has: How Wars Divide Republics and Empires
Plans and People
You Were My Brother: Border States and Uncivil Divisions No Time for Sorrows: Costs and Consequences of Civil WarsPart II: Join Me, and Together We Can Rule the Galaxy as Father and Son: Political Histories in Star Wars
5: I, Sidious: Historical Dictators and Senator Palpatine's Rise to Power
The Roman Republic, Augustus, and the Sith Lord Emperor
Sounds an Awful Lot Like a Dictatorship to Me: Palpatine's Subversion of the Galactic
A Tale of Two Emperors: Palpatine and Napoleon
Today Coruscant, Tomorrow the Galaxy!: Nazi Germany and Palpatine The Last Remnants of the Old Republic Have Been Swept Away6: Teen Queen: Padmé Amidala and the Power of Royal Women
You Think a Princess and a Guy Like Me ...?
The Queen Will Not Approve
She's a Politician, and They're Not to Be Trusted
I Was Not Elected to Watch My People Suffer and Die
Are You an Angel?
Look, I Ain't in This for Your Revolution, and I'm Not in It for You, Princess
7: There's Always a Bigger Fish: Power, Politics, and the Rule of the Ruthless
Longer Ago, Farther Away
Machine generated contents note: Introduction 000 Part I Only Imperial Stormtroopers Are So Precise? The Wars in Star Wars 000 1 Why Rebels Triumph 000 How?Insignificant? Rebellions Can Change History William J. Astore 2?Part of the Rebel Alliance and a Traitor? 000 Women in War and Resistance Janice Liedl and Nancy R. Reagin 3 Elegant Weapons for Civilized Ages 000 The Jedi and Warrior-Monks throughout History Terrance MacMullan 4?A House Divided? 000 The Causes and Costs of Civil War Paul Horvath and Mark Higbee Part II Join Me, and Together We Can Rule the Galaxy as Father and Son? Political Histories in Star Wars 000 5 I, Sidious 000 Historical Dictators and Senator Palpatine?s Rise to Power Tony Keen 6 Teen Queen 000 Padme Amidala and the Power of Royal Women Janice Liedl 7?There?s Always a Bigger Fish? 000 Power, Politics, and the Rule of the Ruthless Kevin S. Decker 8 Nuclear Weapons and the Death Star 000 Lori Maguire Part III Excuse Me, Sir, but That R2-D2 Is in Prime Condition, a Real Bargain? Economy and Society in a Galaxy Long, Long Ago 000 9 From Slavery to Freedom in a Galaxy Far, Far Away 000 Paul Finkelman 10?Greed Can Be a Powerful Ally? 000 The Trade Federation, the East India Companies, and Chaotic Worlds of Trade Michael Laver 11 Coruscant, the Great Cities of Earth, and Beyond 000 Katrina Gulliver The Jedi Council 000 Acknowledgments 000 Notes 000 Index 000