Star Wars and History (eBook)

Nancy Reagin, Liedl Janice Liedl, Reagin Nancy Reagin (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: EPUB

2012 | 1. Auflage
336 Seiten
Wiley (Verlag)
978-1-118-28188-8 (ISBN)

Infos

At last—an analysis of the historical patterns that influenced the creation and storyline of the Star Wars saga

Star 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 11 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.

Autor

NANCY R. REAGIN is professor of history and women's and gender studies at Pace University. She has been active in fan organizations for more years than she cares to admit; her current research project focuses on the history of fan communities since the late nineteenth century. She is the editor of Twilight and History, Harry Potter and History, and Star Trek and History. JANICE LIEDL is associate professor of history at Laurentian University. She has been an avid fan of Star Wars since the first film's 1977 release. Her present research deals with the history of English stepmothers from the sixteenth century. She contributed to both Twilight and History and Harry Potter and History and is the editor of The Hobbit and History.

Inhalt

Introduction: The Forces of History and Histories of the Force 1
janice liedl

Part I "Only Imperial Stormtroopers Are So Precise" The Wars in Star Wars 7

1 Why Rebels Triumph 9

How "Insignificant" Rebellions Can Change History
William J. Astore

2 "Part of the Rebel Alliance and a Traitor" 41

Women in War and Resistance
Janice Liedl and Nancy R. Reagin

3 Elegant Weapons for Civilized Ages 67

The Jedi and Warrior-Monks throughout History
Terrance MacMullan

4 "A House Divided" 99

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 123

5 I, Sidious 125

Historical Dictators and Senator Palpatine's Rise to Power
Tony Keen

6 Teen Queen 151

Padmé Amidala and the Power of Royal Women
Janice Liedl

7 "There's Always a Bigger Fish" 177

Power, Politics, and the Rule of the Ruthless
Kevin S. Decker

8 "Fear Is the Path to the Dark Side" 203

Nuclear Weapons and the Death Star
Lori Maguire

Part III "Excuse Me, Sir, but That Artoo Unit Is in Prime Condition, a Real Bargain" Economy and Society in a Galaxy Long, Long Ago 227

9 From Slavery to Freedom in a Galaxy Far, Far Away 229
Paul Finkelman

10 "Greed Can Be a Powerful Ally" 255

The Trade Federation, the East India Companies, and Chaotic Worlds of Trade
Michael Laver

11 Coruscant, the Great Cities of Earth, and Beyond 283
Katrina Gulliver

The Jedi Council 305

Acknowledgments: Making History That Spans Galaxies 308

Notes 310

Illustration Credits 324

Index 327

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 20.11.2012
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Kunst / Musik / Theater ► Film / TV
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte
• ISBN-10: 1-118-28188-8 / 1118281888
• ISBN-13: 978-1-118-28188-8 / 9781118281888