Cass Sunstein wrote this love letter to Star Wars after watching the Star Wars series with his young son. Sunstein reminisces about seeing Star Wars (aka, A New Hope) for the first time. He actually rates the movies in the series:
1. The Empire Strikes Back (A+)
2. Star Wars (aka, A New Hope) (A)
3. Return of the Jedi (A-)
4. Revenge of the Sith (A-)
5. The Force Awakens (A-)
6. Attack of the Clones (B-)
7. The Phantom Menace (C+)
Sunstein’s enthusiasm for all things Star WArs infuses every page of this slim book. If you’re a fan of Luke, and Leia and Han Solo and Yoda you’ll enjoy Sunstein’s insights and cheerleading for these iconic movies. What’s your favorite Star Wars movie? GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface
Introduction: Learning from Star Wars
EPISODE I: I AM YOUR FATHER
The Heroic Journey of George Lucas
EPISODE II: THE MOVIE NO ONE LIKED
An Expected flop Becomes the Defining World of Out Time
EPISODE III: SECRETS OF SUCCESS
Was Star Wars Awesome, Well-Timed, Or Just Very Lucky?
EPISODE IV: THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT STAR WARS
Of Christianity, Oedipus, Politics, Economics, and Darth Jar Jar
EPISODE V: FATHERS AND SONS
You Can Be Redeemed, Especially If Your Kid Really Likes You
EPISODE VI: FREEDOM OF CHOICE
It’s Not About Destiny or Prophecy
EPISODE VII: REBELS
Why Empires Fall, Why Resistance Fighters (and Terrorists) Rise
EPISODE VIII: CONSTITUTIONAL EPISODES
Free Speech, Sex Equality, and Same-Sex Marriage as Episodes
EPISODE IX: THE FORCE AND SOME MONOMYTH
Of Magic, God, and Humanity’s Very Favorite Tale
EPISODE X: OUT MYTH, OURSELVES
Why Star Wars Gets to Us
Bibliographical Note
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index
Sounds like great fun – my nieces are just getting into this and loved FORCE AWAKENS (which I enjoyed but though too close to NEW HOPE for comfort).
Sergio, THE WORLD ACCORDING TO STAR WARS is a breezy read. I’m with you on the parallels between A NEW HOPE and THE FORCE AWAKENS.
George, having grown up watching and enjoying “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Star Wars,” and “Return of the Jedi,” I am tempted to buy this book. But I think I will wait till I have seen all the prequels and sequels.
Prashant, you’re right. You need to watch the entire series before you tackle THE WORLD ACCORDING TO STAR WARS. Spoilers are on every page!
After watching THE PHANTOM MENACE., I swore never to watch another of George Lucas’s abominations. Before seeing the new one we rewatched the first three and I guess either STAR WARS (A NEW HOPE) or RETURN OF THE JEDI would rank #1.
Jeff, I was thrilled by the first STAR WARS movie back in the Seventies. That remains my favorite.
I’m probably the only person in the world that has enjoyed all of the movies, though I did find it hard to watch too much of jar jar binks
Maggie, some fan “edited out” Jar Jar Binks and posted the movies online. Disney sued him to take his versions down.
I’m shocked that Jeff calls the films “abominations”.
Rick, THE PHANTOM MENACE is pretty bad.
Though I like The Star Wars films a lot, (episode 4 is my most watched film), this isn’t a book I’d bother with. The chapter titles contained too many turn-offs.
Rick, Cass Sunstein really shares his feelings about the entire STAR WARS series. It’s a very personal book.
Rick, it is only THE PHANTOM MENACE that earned the “abomination” designation. I liked the others I’ve seen.
Ah. Still, strong word.
The Empire Strikes Back is the best one followed by Star Wars(New Hope). Return of the Jedi started out okay then the Ewoks showed up.
I was disappointed with the new one. A week later I couldn’t remember hardly anything about it.
Steve, THE FORCE AWAKENS was basically a retelling of A NEW HOPE.
I liked the first one best! It had all the innovations and senseawonda that marked the series! And Leia was really hot!
Bob, I really liked R2-D2 and 3-CP0!