{"product_id":"2940172523588","title":"How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1973, a young filmmaker named George Lucas scribbled some notes for a far-fetched space-fantasy epic. More than forty years and $37 billion later, Star Wars-related products outnumber human beings, a stormtrooper army spans the globe, and \"Jediism\" has become a religion in its own right. Lucas's creation has grown into far more than a cinematic classic; it is, quite simply, one of the most lucrative, influential, and interactive franchises of all time. Yet until now the complete history of Star Wars-its influences and impact, the controversies it has spawned, its financial growth and long-term prospects-has never been told.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e, veteran journalist Chris Taylor traces the series from the difficult birth of the original film through its sequels, the franchise's death and rebirth, the prequels, and the preparations for a new trilogy. Taylor provides portraits of the friends, writers, artists, producers, and marketers who labored behind the scenes to turn Lucas's idea into a legend. He also jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and gets inside Boba Fett's helmet, all to find out how Star Wars has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince the first film's release in 1977, Taylor shows, Star Wars has conquered our culture with a sense of lightness and exuberance, while remaining serious enough to influence politics around the world and spread a spirituality that appeals to religious groups and atheists alike. Controversial digital upgrades and critically savaged prequels have actually made the franchise stronger than ever. Now, with a new set of savvy bosses holding the reins and Episode VII on the horizon, it looks like Star Wars is just getting started.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn energetic, fast-moving account of this creative and commercial phenomenon, \u003ci\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/i\u003e explains how a filmmaker's fragile dream beat out a surprising number of rivals and gained a die-hard, multigenerational fan base-and why it will be galvanizing our imaginations and minting money for generations to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brilliance Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47106027061488,"sku":"2940172523588","price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940172523588_p0.jpg?v=1763837930","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940172523588","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}