Book Description
From the producers of the acclaimed Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars comes an inside look at the secrets behind the saga’s artful models and sculptures. Lorne Peterson, model and sculpture designer for the entire Star Wars saga, takes us on a journey through the intricate process of crafting and sculpting the models from sketch to screen and the artistry behind the dazzling results.
Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop features more than 300 full-color photographs and illustrations from the Lucasfilm archives, models from all six films, interviews, images and text with concept sculptors, an overview of the ILM model shop from 1976 through today and numerous gatefolds of the most loved models.
ILM virtually redefined visual effects and blazed a trail into the digital realm, follow behind the camera and into the rarely seen workshops and an amazing look at the creation of movie magic. Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Modelshop takes readers behind-the-scenes for the first in-depth look at these amazing models and the process behind their creation, punctuated by Lorne Peterson’s exuberance and dedication to craft.
This unique visual treat is a must-have for any Star Wars fan.
Customer Reviews:
for the fans.......2007-10-04
The book is great for star wars fans. It has loads of reference photos in a variety of production areas. If you want a good present or inspiration to sculpt this would do it.
Giant coffee table book...mostly a retread.......2007-08-02
For those who have purchased the series of "Art of Star Wars" books, as well as "Star Wars: Sketchbooks" et cetera, this tome is impressive but not novel. Many photos from those earlier books are reused here. The problem is that they have been blown up for this larger format. Consequently, the blown-up recycled photos are slightly blurry. There are some wonderful photos of star destroyer details that have not been seen before...but is that enough to merit this huge new book? That decision is up to you, but I expected heretofore unseen, crisply focused photographs.
Great Content, Defective Copy.......2007-08-01
The actual content of the book is top notch, with many great shots model shots. I also enjoy the accompanying stories, from behind the scenes. The problem is, the binding was already coming apart when I received it. A beautiful book, marred by a crappy binding.
I received a copy of this book as a present, that was purchased on Amazon.
Un livre indispensable à tout fan de Star Wars.......2007-07-19
Le département Maquettes d'ILM est devenu Kerner-Optical, mais le savoir faire n'a pas été dispersé grace à Lorne Peterson.
Ce livre montre en détail toute cette expérience acquise depuis plus de 30 ans, ce livre donne des astuces pour tout maquettiste en herbe.
Un très bon ouvrage.
Bonne lecture
star wars fan.......2007-07-05
If you are a either a fan of star wars or a model builder this is the book for you. It is full for close up pictures not only of the ships but also creatures and settings.
Book Description
This text is intended for a one-quarter or one-semester introductory course on dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs: The Textbook is a monument to our present understanding of these wonderful creatures. It is a book that will take the student on a journey through nearly every aspect of dinosaur biology, geology, and the history of their discovery. It is a text that presents facts together with current ideas, notions, and controversies. Dr. Lucas presents dinosaurs as successful, living creatures that were merely different in appearance from animals living today.
Dr. Lucas has written a comprehensive book that is easily read and understood by students with little scientific background - a book that teaches students not only how to use scientific methods, but how to synthesize data to create their own ideas. In contrast with many dinosaur books from the past, Dr. Lucas, although indicating his own views, allows students the opportunity to think for themselves.
Customer Reviews:
Dinosaurs the textbook.......2001-08-23
I have used two editions of this book as one of the texts for a general vertebrate paleontology course. The class, organismic biology majors, with some secondary science, PE., elementary education and geography majors, liked the clear writing, statement of objectives, and reviews of each chapter. Diagrams were also clear. It perhaps needs more background on plate tectonics, stratigraphy/sedimentation and extinction/bird origins.
Book Description
While the Star Wars saga is famous for its elaborate sets and for revolutionary visual effects, it also features some of the most unique and ornate costumes in modern film. In this exquisite volume, the intricate and beautiful fashions that have appeared in all six Star Wars films are on display-from military gear to royal gowns and the iconic garbs of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. Every costume is brilliantly displayed in intimate detail, from preproduction sketches to the final creations. Actors, including Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson, provide commentary on their experiences during principal photography, while writer-director George Lucas and producer Rick McCallum contribute their thoughts on this exploration of Star Wars costume design. Accompanied by an exhibition at the The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Museum & Galleries at FIDM in Los Angeles, this unique visual treat is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. An additional limited-edition run of this book will be released with lavish gatefolds, fabric swatches, and a cast replica of a Wookiee belt-buckle, sure to be the ultimate Star Wars collectible.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely Great!.......2007-08-01
This book is a gem. It is a treasure trove of detailed photographs of the wonderful costumes created by Trisha Biggar.
If you are a costume player or just a costume historian, you will find this book a marvel. This is one of the best books I've ever seen as a record of a movie of any kind.
a MUST HAVE book for every Starswars fan !.......2007-03-30
Absolutely wonderful !
Fantastic pictures, you will shock all your Starwars friends showing it !
And Italian fans will recognize all pics taken at italian movies' locations: Como Lake (Villa Balbianello) where the Padme&Anakin wedding cerimony was celebrated, and Lenno village.
A MUST HAVE book for every Starwars Fans.
Costume Haute Couture..........2007-02-23
I picked this book up at a local bookstore for a whopping $5.00 . I enjoyed the movies, but they definitely aren't at the top of my favorites list. This book appealed to me purely for the fashion, costume, and design aspects. And it delivers a beautiful display for all those things. I actually found myself reading the book (usually I just dissect the pictures and draw inspiration that way), and found it to be well written as well. The text, gives insight into how a large scale costuming production works for theatrical purposes. It illustrates all of the dynamics of organizing such a production from start to finish. I imagine this would be a good read for someone interested in the theatrical costuming field. Besides that, it is a wonderful coffee table book , or uber bible of clothes for the "Con" participant. Surely worth ten times what I paid!
Simply breathtaking!.......2007-02-09
I finally got this book - now I don't know why I waited! Totally worth it!
Anyone who is a fan of Star Wars and even a casual fan of costumes will truly enjoy this book. The book is filled with exquisitely detailed photos and descriptions of all of the costumes from Eps 1-3, and many from Eps 4-6, but the focus is really on the costumes that dominated the last 3 films - those of Amidala/Padmé, the Emperor, Bail Organa, Obi-Wan, Anakin, etc. Some of the most creative details are illustrated on the numerous characters that only appear briefly at the senate meetings, and their attire reflects their status in society as well as the environment from which they come. There are close-ups of the detailed beadwork, stitching, tooled leather and fabrics used to create each work of art. There is also a visual reference at the back of the book with images of every Star Wars costume, and there are a few foldout pages as well showing the different styled robes and gowns for some of the main characters. The next best thing would be to touch the fabric! (Supposedly you can do that in the limited edition boxed version - complete with fabric samples).
Several character illustrations by Iain McCaig, Dermot Power, and others are shown - which is amazing to see the concept art of the character with their wardrobe, then the final masterpiece by Trisha Biggar.
A must for anyone in love with Star Wars and the imaginative design that set the stage for each character.
Tremendous book.......2007-01-09
Probably one of the five or ten best Star Wars books, up there with the 'Art of' books from the Classic trilogy. This is a terrific look at Trisha Biggar's amazing work, and gets into exquisite detail on many of the sumptuous costumes from the prequels. Whether you loved or hated the films, you must admit, the outfits were out of this world, and this book chronicles all that work and effort. Well worth a purchase.
Average customer rating:
- The Empire Strikes Back (Step-Up Movie Adventures)
- Classic Film, Good Book
- One of the best films ever made, but the book doesn't add much...
- Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (The Original Radio Drama) by
- Star Wars ESB..Collecting knowledge through reading...
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Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (The Original Radio Drama)
George Lucas
Manufacturer: Highbridge Audio
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Binding: Audio CD
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Star Wars: Mighty Chronicles (Mighty Chronicles)
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Star Wars, Episode II - Attack of the Clones
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Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace
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Return of the Jedi (Step-Up Movie Adventures)
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Star Wars (Step-Up Movie Adventures)
ASIN: 1565110072 |
Amazon.com
From the Rebels' defeat at the Battle of Hoth to the battle between Luke and Darth Vader, The Empire Strikes Back continues the story of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, and the others as they struggle to overthrow the evil Galactic Empire. This abridgment of the classic story is complemented by nearly 150 two-color illustrations--based on images from the film--drawn by Brandon McKinney in a style reminiscent of comic books from the 1950s. Star Wars fans of all ages will be delighted with this beautiful little gift book. --C.B. Delaney
Amazon.com Audiobook Review
Perhaps you think the Star Wars trilogy cannot be fully realized with audio alone. You think you'd miss the stunning visuals, the emotions of the actors, and the special effects. You think it would be a disappointment. As Yoda might say, "So impossible is it? So certain are you?" This production of The Empire Strikes Back was created by the same team that produced National Public Radio's amazingly successful presentation of Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama in 1981. Presented in 10 episodes, the longer format allows for a great expansion of the story and new scenes--though purists may be disappointed by the slight but significant change in the story line while the Rebels are on Hoth. Once again, Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels are on hand to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and C-3PO, and this time they are joined by Billy Dee Williams reprising his part as Lando Calrissian. A fine cast performs the rest of the roles, notably John Lithgow as Yoda and the very compelling Perry King as the "slimy, double-crossing, no good swindler" Han Solo. Sound effects and John Williams's score from the movie have been remixed to help create a convincing soundscape--so good, you can really "see" the movie by listening to it. The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama will thrill all Star Wars fans, whether or not they enjoy audiobooks. (Running time: 5 hours, 5 cassettes) --C.B. Delaney
Book Description
National Public Radio's 1981 adaptation of Star Wars was one of the most successful presentations in the history of radio—and a very tough act to follow. Nevertheless, two years later, the members of the Star Wars production team eagerly returned to create a radio version of The Empire Strikes Back. Like its predecessor, this electrifying drama boasts an outstanding cast (including Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Daniels as See Threepio, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, and John Lithgow as Yoda); a greatly expanded script, with many scenes not found in the movie; and audio engineering of unparalleled excellence. The Empire Strikes Back takes you once more into a galaxy of pure sound and limitless imagination for an adventure you'll never forget.
Customer Reviews:
The Empire Strikes Back (Step-Up Movie Adventures).......2007-08-13
The book is pretty good. I was a lttle disappointed with the scenes pictured in the book. They were dark and I believe there were better scenes to pictorially represent the movie.
Classic Film, Good Book.......2007-08-08
We all know the story that unfolds in The Empire Strikes Back, and many people consider it to be the best of the films. So what does an author do to make the story seem fresh to the reader? Add details? Change the story? Closely follow the film? In the case of this book, Mr. Glut has elected to follow the film. I think he made the right decision, and he describes the action very well. I was not distracted by being familiar with the story, and I think that the unique individual who has not seen the film would obtain a good grasp of the tale by reading this book. Just as in the film, it was great fun to follow our heroes from Hoth to Bespin and Dagobah. One can only wonder what happens next.
One of the best films ever made, but the book doesn't add much..........2007-05-26
Ranking movies, music, and other artistic endeavors is generally something I grew out of in high school, but if pressed to list my "Top Ten" favorite films of all time, The Empire Strikes Back would without question occupy the number one spot. I consider it to be the perfect balance of drama, action, comedy, and romance. The film is the most tightly focused of the Star Wars saga, relying the least on alien extras and glitzy technology and taking time to thoroughly develop its principal characters. Since I hold the movie in such high esteem, my expectations for a novelization of it are correspondingly lofty.
Unfortunately, Donald F. Glut's take on The Empire Strikes Back did not leave me with the same exhilaration as the film. I've mentioned before in my reviews of the prequel novelizations that what I look for in a movie interpretation is an expansion of the material presented in the film. This expansion could take the form of new (or removed!) scenes, deeper insights into character psyches, rewritten dialogue, or many other changes. This novel stays quite faithful to the film and does not make much effort at any exploration of the characters beyond what is presented on the screen. Dialogue is occasionally tweaked, but the alterations do not reveal any new information. Small scene additions such as an Imperial Probe Droid tangling with a Wampa (or "Wampa Ice Creature," as it is always cited in the text) are fun but few and far between.
Glut writes descriptively and with a flowing style that keeps the story moving briskly. The novel clocks in at a very terse 216 pages in my 1995 hardcover edition. More time is spent on fleshing out the opening Hoth sequences than the climactic Bespin scenes, where the story races to its conclusions. I've noticed this trend of allocating significantly more detail to opening scenes in several of the novelizations. Presumably this is due to the authors not wanting to disrupt the flow of events as the plot lines are woven together, but sometimes it feels more like the book just runs out of steam.
When this novelization of Episode V was written, Star Wars was an unparalleled global phenomenon. Glut presumably knew this book would be read by millions and would possibly stand the test of time along with the film. I wish the book had higher goals than simply replaying the events seen on screen verbatim, that it had spent more time delving into the characters or filling in some of the blank spots left in the movie script. As it stands, it is a serviceable adaptation of the film but not much more.
Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (The Original Radio Drama) by.......2007-01-19
I gave this as a gift to my son-in-law for Christmas. He seemed delighted with it.
Star Wars ESB..Collecting knowledge through reading..........2006-04-21
Since most reviews are about the item itself I would first like to say that collecting SW merchandise for close to 30 yeras is my top priority. Those of you who also collect will find that for a short but good story book adventure for part V "The Empire Strikes Back", still brings the magic from Sir George Lucas to the small literature side of Sci-Fi adventure for all ages. I am not only saying this because I love the Star Wars Saga, but to be able to see that when kids re-inact the story means that they have read it, processed it and found it fun enough to act it. Those of you growing up in the 70's know what I mean. Now this new generation will never forget the experiance of being able to read a great sci-fi movie and sit back and say !!!WOW!!! this is great and can't wait for the next book to read!! "May The Force Be With Us All"
Book Description
The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand
After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor’s disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die.
As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin–tormented by unspeakable visions–edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic . . . and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.
Based on the screenplay of the eagerly anticipated final film in George Lucas’s epic saga, bestselling Star Wars author Matthew Stover’s novel crackles with action, captures the iconic characters in all their complexity, and brings a space opera masterpiece full circle in stunning style.
Customer Reviews:
Frought with inconsistency.......2007-05-21
I am so disappointed with yet more inconcsistencies in the Star Wars universe. I would have at least hoped that Stover coordinated with Luceno (Labyrinth of Evil) to conincide some of the facts that directly precede Revenge of the Sith. The story does lend to insights negligently left out of the film and while the story is good, I cant seem to get past the fact that the writers of Star Wars novels cant seem to get their facts straight.
Awesome Book. Simply Awesome........2007-01-25
I have only read a few Star Wars books, but I'm building my collection up pretty fast, and so far, this is the best one I have read. I really love the way the author breaks away to describe a character while a scene is heating up or something big is about to happen. The book was so good, and the story ( the parts that aren't really described in detail or simply not covered in the movie), even tho I knew its outcome and how things were going to happen still drew me in. I loved the Jedi order and I found myself, while reading the book hoping that somehow things would go differently. But of course they didn't. But thats just how much it draws you in. The ONLY downside I found in this book was the death of my favorite Jedi, Mace Windu. The fight scene with Palpatine was awesome and in depth, but at the end of the fight, we all know what happens and the author only chose to describe the death of arguably the most powerful Jedi in the order in only a few words. I think that part could have been written alot better. Other than that, this author is such a good book, that I have already told everyone I know ( Star Wars fan or not ) that they should read it.
The Sith take over.......2007-01-19
I expect that most readers of this book will have already seen the film and will be familiar with the plot, If not, I suggest you read the book first and then watch the movie to see the incredible cinematic interpretation by George Lucas. The plot picks up right where Labyrinth of Evil left off. Chancellor Palpatine has been captured by General Grievous, and our heroes Obi-Wan and Anakin are coming to the rescue. They succeed in finishing off Count Dooku and force Grievous to flee to Utapau. Obi-Wan goes to Utapau to deal with Grievous while Anakin stays in Coruscant trying to decide between a future with the Jedi or a future with Darth Sidious and the dark side. We all know how that comes out with the final result being the introduction of Darth Vader and the twins Luke and Leia.
In the book of Revenge of the Sith, Mr. Stover spends a lot of time with the internal struggle Anakin has with feeling underappreciated by the Jedi while at the same time trying to grasp the possibilities of the dark side. He is desperately attempting to learn enough about the Force to be able to keep his nightmare from coming true and to keep Padme alive. Darth Sidious is unbelievably smooth and persuasive as he continually massages Anakin's mind and ego and hastens the turn to the dark side. Rather than just telling the story of the film, the author gets us to understand the thought processes of the main characters. I think that will be invaluable as I prepare to watch the film yet again.
We are also privy to a number of conversations among the Jedi masters - Mace Windu, Yoda, and Obi-Wan. They are confused by the Clone Wars. They do not understand the Senate's agreements to give Chancellor Palpatine increasing powers. They don't know what to do with Anakin. He is the Chosen One, but he is also dangerous and unpredictable. The deterioration of the friendship between Obi-Wan and Anakin is heartbreaking, but Anakin's turn to the dark side is handled in such a way that it makes sense. All in all, Mr. Stover has done a remarkable job in helping us to understand more clearly the Clone Wars, the demise of the Jedi, and the takeover by the Sith.
Read the book and watch the movie.
Best Star Wars movie novelization of the six.......2006-11-15
Matthew Stover, author of the excellent Mace Windu novel Shatterpoint, does not disappoint with his novelization of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Movie novelizations are often inconsequential by-products of a marketing push behind a big event picture, but in Stover's case, he strongly builds upon the film plot and adds meaningful substance to what was already a great story. Rather than give his readers a simple blow-by-blow recap of the screen action, he adds many sequences not in the film and cuts others entirely (fans of Yoda's visit to Kashyyyk will need to stick with the movie).
The novel spends significant time in the opening space battle, fleshing out the action sequences and delving into the participants' motivations. At first I found Stover's technique here slightly jarring. The story is clipping along and we are suddenly sidelined by a page or two that start something like this (for example): "This is how it feels to be Obi-Wan Kenobi." We then get a summary of who Obi-Wan is, what he's feeling, and what role he has played in the saga to date. However, as we read more of these entries, Stover's chance-taking really pays off: I found myself looking forward to the next one more and more, as the insights he provides illuminate certain story points brilliantly.
I especially enjoyed the time he spent taking us into Count Dooku's head. Dooku doesn't get much screen time in the saga; some choice moments at the end of Attack of the Clones and his duel at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith are about it. Why would this respected and powerful Jedi have any interest in sublimating himself to a Dark Lord of the Sith? Stover paints a realistic portrait of what Dooku hoped to get out of their twisted relationship and muses about what Dooku believed would be his role after the end of the Clone Wars. Of course, Dooku is sorely mistaken with his perception of his relationship with Darth Sidious.
Another place Stover excels is in subtly tinkering with some of the storylines to deepen both the motivations and the payoff. For instance, in the film, Anakin's lust to be elevated to Jedi Master and granted a seat on the Council is driven by his ego and inner demons. Stover adds an ingredient to the mix: Anakin also wants access to the Jedi Archives, which is only granted to Masters. He believes the Archives will contain Sith Holocrons with the forbidden knowledge Palpatine alluded to, including how to stop a person from dying. This small change greatly aids the believability of how furious Anakin is at being denied the Master rank when he claims his seat on the Council.
Near the end of the book there is a noticeable shift toward more economic storytelling, and the final duel on Mustafar is very similar to what we see in the film. This didn't bother me, as by this point events are rushing to their bitter climax and interjecting long character analyses wouldn't really work like it did early in the novel. The pacing of the book taken as a whole is spot-on and well considered.
Revenge of the Sith is a sweeping, dark, epic conclusion to the prequel trilogy, and Matthew Stover's novelization is more than worthy of the film. Kudos to him for not just cashing in a paycheck and writing a blow-by-blow account of the screenplay. He chose to take some chances and the results are quite rewarding.
A great book to listen to........2006-11-10
This unabridged version is packed with exciting details. Some that were not even in the movie. It gets into the mind of Anakin Skywalker and how the internal struggle is so powerful. 14 hours, 11 cd's. Great!
Product Description
The planet Onderon, almost four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin and the events in A New Hope: Freedon Nadd is dead, but his dark spirit lives on, and it has been used to abduct Jedi Master Arca! Nomi Sunrider and Ulic Qel-Droma lead the mission to free their Master, but not before the evil King Ommin spreads the seeds of Sith evil to a new generation . . . Out of print for a decade, this deluxe hardcover limited-edition of The Freedon Nadd Uprising kicks off Dark Horse's year-long celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of Star Wars! Each month, the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection series will bring readers a limited-edition hardcover of the best of Dark Horse's Star Wars graphic novels.
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- Really Bad
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- Inaccurate But Still Good
- A Surprising Disappointment...
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Mythmaker: The Life and Work of George Lucas
John Baxter
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
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Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas
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George Lucas: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series)
ASIN: 0380978334
Release Date: 1999-10-05 |
Amazon.com
Among the wave of film directors who brought fresh blood and maverick sensibilities to southern California in the early 1960s--including Francis Ford Coppola, John Milius, Brian DePalma, and Martin Scorsese--none could have seemed less likely than George Lucas, the short, painfully shy car nerd from Modesto, California. And yet, in a mere four appearances behind the camera over 20 years, he managed to change Hollywood and fundamentally alter the culture. In this lively and informative biography, John Baxter weaves interviews with Modesto townies and Lucas cronies into a portrait of the man as an artistically gifted loner with a grocer's feeling for budgets--an important director who was also unmanned by directing and a self-effacing man whose notes for Star Wars reveal an ambition to make an American epic on the scale of Kurosawa's samurai stories. Baxter skillfully shades in Lucas's emotionally straitened adolescence, his lack-of-anything-better-to-do enrollment in USC's film school, and his relationship with Coppola, whose operatic maneuverings made the small, European-ish American Graffiti possible, even as his flamboyance estranged the two. Baxter also takes Lucas to task--Lucas lied about losing his virginity in the back seat of a car, he argues--but by the end the author has been won over, appreciating Lucas's films less than he admires the basic goodness and integrity of the man who put up money for Kurosawa's Ran and Coppola's Tucker, for no other reason than because he felt that small-town boy's sense of debt to his mentors. --Lyall Bush
Book Description
George Lucas is one of the most innovative and commercially successful players on the movie scene today. Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, together with the three "Indiana Jones" films-all six of which he conceived, produced, and co-wrote-comprise the most popular group of films ever made. Lucas masterminded a revolutionary shift in the control of funding and profits of Hollywood films away from the studios into the hands of the filmmakers themselves. His state-of-the-art film exhibition techniques (such as THX sound systems) have transformed the cinematic experience, and his Industrial Light & Magic is the finest special effects studio in the world. Yet he has remained an enigma and a recluse--until now.
Customer Reviews:
Really Bad .......2007-06-20
This book full of mistakes with facts (i.e. Jim Hanson played Yoda) and he was more interested in writing about the negative things about Lucas.
This book is a mess.......2005-07-02
I started reading this book today and I've only made it through two chapters and the only reason I read two is because I thought I should give the book another chance after reading the first chapter. I'm really not sure where the author is going with this book, it just doesn't seem to make sense to me. I felt he was not writing this book to tell the story of Lucas's life but in stead writing in literary confusion. It did not grab me at all. So I came here to see what other people thought of this book and I'm glad it wasn't just me. This book is a mess. Glad I got it from the library and didn't spend the $27 for it. There are other books that tell of the creative work and business of George Lucas.
Good Book--Sloppy Fact Checking.......2005-05-06
This is quite a comprehensive biography of George Lucas' life to 1999, reaching all the way back to his grandfather's time, and then to George Sr.'s time, before starting in on the life of the man who brought you Star Wars and Howard the Duck. Baxter writes with an engaging style and includes interviews with primary and secondary school friends that show the depth of his due diligence. Be warned that this is not a biography that tries to present everything Lucas in a strictly positive light (Baxter gives examples of the Lucas machine's attempts in essence to re-write the legends surrounding its god). As any good biography should, this book includes not only the shining chapters of Lucas' life, but the less glorious ones as well. Still, the chapters that depict Lucas as a cold, asexual, genius do not detract from our admiration of him as a filmmaker, and the epic chapters that describe the underdog success of the first Star Wars film in fact allow us to re-live the moment as if we were back there in '77 cheering for the rebels in their battle against the Galactic Empire, for Lucas in his fight against the Hollywood studios.
Unfortunately, as much great information as this book might have, much of it is made questionable due to some glaring mistakes in the last few chapters. Despite the immense amount of research undertaken to write such a book, it is clear that Baxter has very little "street" knowledge of American popular culture. Ky Huy Huan was not the name of the Vietnamese Chinese boy who played Short Round (and later Data, in the Goonies) in Temple of Doom. No, Tom Ryan is not the name of Harrison Ford's character in the movies based on Tom Clancy's novels. No, Terence Stamp did not play Darth Sidious in Star Wars: Episode I. And no, the Trade Federation did not have an army of C3POs. For Baxter's target audience, a readership that comes from a generation raised on the films of George Lucas, these errors are painfully obvious and completely absurd, and thus cast the entire book in doubt. This is truly a shame because Baxter has put a mighty effort into giving us a very well-rounded look at the 20th century's most influential filmmaker. Four stars for the book's captivating narrative style.
Inaccurate But Still Good.......2003-04-03
I am a big George Lucas fan and I found a few errors in this book. The one that really bothered me was that the author repeatedly stated that Jim Henson did the puppeteering and voice for Yoda. IT WAS FRANK OZ NOT JIM HENSON! That was soooo annoying! I kept wishing that the author was around so that I could just scream it in his face!
Other than these small details, the book was pretty good. But still, I can't help but wonder what else was inaccurate that I just took as new information.
A Surprising Disappointment..........2002-05-20
I've always been a Lucasfilm/Star Wars fanatic, and have always gobbled up any shred of info, whether it be about the stories, or the behind-the-scenes realm. I'm one of those fans who knows the names of the modelmakers responsible for those great, worn ships in the original film.
And while I am a bit over the top in regards to what I know, this in no way absolves John Baxter for the mountainous errors in his work. Just because I'm sharp on a lot regarding Lucas doesn't mean that Baxter's innacurracies won't be such a sin if they fall on uninformed ears.I won't go through each and every flaw, but let me just warn you that this book drops the ball repeatedly regarding what Lucasfilm fans would call rudimentary data.
I t's best to bypass this mess and select David Pollock's "Skywalking" instead. It's the oldest and still the best bio on this great talent. Another book that proved to be immensely entertaining (though only covering the era of the first trilogy) was Garry Jenkin's "Empire Building." If it's behind the scenes Star Wars stuff you're after, then this is absolutely THE book to get.
In closing, I'm most disappointed with Mythmaker because it pales in comparison to Baxter's Steven Spielberg bio released a few years before. It makes me wonder how accurate (or innacurate) THAT bio was.....
Average customer rating:
- This book lets you understand the entire movie in detail.
- Luke Skywalker meets his father
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Script Facsimile: Star Wars: Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
George Lucas
Manufacturer: Del Rey
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Script Facsimile: Star Wars: Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
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Script Facsimile: Star Wars: Episode 4: A New Hope (Star Wars)
ASIN: 0345420810
Release Date: 1998-11-17 |
Book Description
A SPECTACULAR SLICE OF MOVIE HISTORY--NOW YOURS TO OWN!
For the first time ever, Star Wars fans can own true to life facsimiles of the complete scripts from the Star Wars trilogy--extraordinary reproductions of the very tool used by cast and crew for the legendary movie saga.
Complete with new photographs and Special Edition scenes and dialogue, this classic keepsake is a must for every Star Wars lover's collection.
The official Star Wars Web site
www.starwars.com
Customer Reviews:
This book lets you understand the entire movie in detail........1999-07-25
This book lets you understand the entire movie in detail. Now that I bought this book , I've practically memorized the entire script! I'd give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Luke Skywalker meets his father.......1999-01-11
The Empire attacks the Rebels' base on the ice planet of Hoth and takes it. Forcing Luke, Han Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and the droids R2D2 and C3PO, to evacuate the planet. Luke Skywalker, after seeing the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi, goes to Dagoba to begin his training as a Jedi Knight with Yoda. Meanwhile, the Emperor and Darth Vader, plot to bring Luke to the Dark side of the Force. Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and the two droids head for the Cloud City of Bespin, to meet with Lando Calrissian. They're unaware of the fact that Lando's about to turn Han over to the Empire. (Actually, Jabba the Hutt). On Dagoba, Yoda shows Luke a vision of the future. He's forced to fight himself when Yoda tells him he'll be like his father. Yoda tells him that he'll be easily turned. Luke says he won't. Then Yoda says that his sister might be. Luke's surprised. Yoda says that Annikin Skywalker had two children--twins. A boy and a girl. The girl, Leia, had been sent to Alderaan for her own protection. The boy, Luke, was sent to Tatooine. In the cliamatic battle between Luke and Vader, Vader reveals the truth. He tells Luke that he's his father. Luke refuses to believe it. He's holding on for dear life after being shoved out of the city for refusing to join Vader. He's rescued by Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. They set out to free Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt back on his home planet of Tattooine.
Book Description
Acclaimed filmmaker George Lucas re-invigorated the science-fiction genre more than 25 years ago with Star Wars, one of the greatest epics and cultural icons of its generation. He has enthralled audiences with his grand vision, mythic narratives, and groundbreaking visual effects ever since, and he remains a pivotal figure in American cinema: Star Wars: Episode II (2002) was the first film to be shot entirely with state-of-the-art digital cameras, and Star Wars: Episode III is set for release in 2005.
Marcus Hearn draws on exclusive interviews-as well as unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm archives-to craft a definitive look at more than four decades of the director's work. Lavishly illustrated, the book features many never and rarely seen images, including stills from Lucas's student films and behind-the-scenes photographs from the first Star Wars, the Indiana Jones adventures, and Star Wars: Episode III. Hearn delves deep into Lucas's achievements in the film industry as a director, writer, editor, and producer. Destined to be the classic illustrated survey of Lucas's career, the book is sure to fascinate not only die-hard fans but also general film and popular culture enthusiasts. AUTHOR BIO: Marcus Hearn is a writer, editor, and publisher specializing in film and popular culture. He is the author of the best-selling Star Wars: Attack of the Clones-The Illustrated Companion. He lives in London. Ron Howard is an actor, producer, and director whose film A Beautiful Mind (2001) won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.
Customer Reviews:
Explore a mind far far away...........2007-07-29
This guy has got it together - a great look inside the creative process and genius of the modern film maker. Absolute must have for a Star Wars fan or anyone wanting to learn more about the cause and effect this one man has had on the film industry, movie making, motion pictures and the technology to bring them to life - far beyond any one else has ever done before..... travel into hyperspace with this book.
Remarkable!.......2005-11-15
This book is filled with rare and beautiful images from the Lucas archive. If you're interested in George Lucas, there is no alternative. The story is pretty good, although a little limited. If you combined the images from this book with the detailed story in DROIDMAKER (subtitled- George Lucas and the Digital Revolution- which i just read straight through and LOVED), I think you'd have the perfect Lucas book. Still, i highly recommend this.
Everything You Need To Know About George Lucas.......2005-11-13
By now, most people have seen one George Lucas film, just as they have most likely seen a film by Steven Spieldberg. This wonderfully photographed and informative coffee table book has everything you need to know about the directoral genius and the history of his films. It all began in the late 60's, when he and Steven Spieldberg graduated from USC in Southern California. They would both go on to become leading American film directors. Lucas's first attempt at film was a successful student film- THX 1138, a chilling science fiction film about a futuristic, militant society akin to George Orwell's 1984. Already, there are signs of his most recognizable movie Star Wars as in that film a young man defies the oppressive regime and attempts to rescue himself but fails to do so. In the mid 70's, Lucas had already created the storylines for his Star Wars saga. It is a 9 part saga. We have seen Episodes 1-6. Beginning in 1977 with Episode 4 A New Hope, the film that won him instant fame. The book recounts the making of the film on location, the casting of Mark Hammill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford- actors who at that time were in need of a successful film role. The book even details original scenes that were cut off. In 1980, The Empires Strikes Back was released and it proved to be the highest grossing sequel of a film ever made. 1983's Return of the Jedi, as wonderfully made as it was, has never been as successful as the first two, though it raps the saga nicely. In 1999, Lucas released Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, the first installment of his space opera which tells of the growth and downfall of the young Anakin Skywalker who becomes Darth Vader. 2002's Attack of the Clones dealt with the Clone Wars and the budding romance of Padme and Anakin. 2005's Revenge of the Sith describes the Sith takeover and the destruction of the Old Republic and extinction of the Jedi, all except for Yoda, Obi-Won and Padme's twins Luke and Leia. Lucas had a hand in the making of Spieldberg's popular Indiana Jone series. We have seen how he has become a film-maker who relies on great stories and the magic effects of cinema and computer graphic/digital technology. He is the only director who can point us to the path of how future movies will be made.
A must for all Lucas fans.......2005-08-08
Excellent book about Lucas' life and projects. Special focus is of course on Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The Star Wars (original film) is the best chapter and there is some excellent stuff there - including segments from the first draft of the film and how the story changed from the first and final draft. This tells the real story about Lucas and his incredible path from the shy film student to the man that would change film making forever. A must for all fans of films. This is a truly interesting book with some great pictures and it is very easy to read. Highly recommended.
Chapters chronicle Lucas' life, imagination, and creations.......2005-04-09
The Cinema Of George Lucas is a lavish coffee-table book exploring the production process and cinematic talent behind the classic science fiction phenomenon of "Star Wars". Featuring an inside look behind the scenes of the hotly anticipated "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith", The Cinema of George Lucas is filled cover to cover with full color production illustrations, photographs, concept artworks, and much more. Chapters chronicle Lucas' life, imagination, ideas and creations from 1944 to the present day, in this superb collector's treasure and ideal giftbook for Star Wars fans everywhere.
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Human Rights in Natural Resource Development: Public Participation in the Sustainable Development of Mining and Energy Resources
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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A new human right of public participation by those affected by natural resource development is set to define major economic developments in the twenty-first century. It is a fundamental part of the international norm of 'sustainable development', designed to harmonize economic betterment and environmental-cultural-social protection for this and succeeding generations. A recognized human right since the 1940s, public participation today is assuming many different legal and political forms - citizen involvement, indigenous peoples' rights, local community rights, sustainable development agreements, public hearings, consultation, advisory councils, right to information, right to justice, decisional transfers, benefits sharing, and more. The right to be heard is a fundamental principle of public law in most of the world's legal systems, but in practice ranges from being deeply ingrained in some cultures to non-existent in others. Understanding this new human dimension in law and development is now essential not only for lawyers but also for companies, governments, international agencies, NGOs, IGOs, and citizens. This book, authored by international resources law experts from all over the world, provides the theoretical and practical guidance essential to understanding and dealing with this new development. Its first section lays out the basics of what is becoming known as public participation law - its origins, history, theories, modern sources, and future directions. The second section presents the international legal authorities. The third section analyzes the current experience and future trends in over a dozen nations and regions of critical resource development interest, from Africa, Australasia, Southeast Asia and China to Europe and North, Central, and South America.
Books:
- Simple Path
- Smoke Your Firefighter Interview
- Steve Irwin: The Incredible Life of the Crocodile Hunter
- Steven Spielberg: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
- Stories and Early Novels: Pulp Stories / The Big Sleep / Farewell, My Lovely / The High Window (Library of America)
- Sunset Western Garden Book
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (Puffin Classics)
- The Book of Air and Shadows
- The Children of Húrin
- The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts)
Books Index
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