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The Unauthorized Star Wars Compendium: The Complete Guide to the Movies, Comic Books, Novels, and More
Since 1977, when the first movie was released, the Star Wars franchise has grossed several billion dollars and has become a cultural touchstone to millions of fans. The movies have spawned a virtual cottage industry of novels, video games, comic books, fanzines, and more. With the phenomenal success of the twentieth-anniversary rerelease of the original trilogy and early publicity for the long-awaited new film, worldwide interest in the Star Wars saga is greater than ever.Now, sci-fi entertainment writer Ted Edwards has compiled the ultimate encyclopedia of all things Star Wars, tracing its history from the moment of gestation -- as a rough script that George Lucas had a difficult time selling to studios -- to the release of the new movie, scheduled for May 1999. Here is the definitive resource that every Star Wars fan will want, including the story behind the groundbreaking special effects and a guide to the more than 350 web sites dedicated to the Star Wars saga. The first guide of its kind, The Unauthorized Star Wars Compendium: The Complete Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy is a must for fans everywhere.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 12, 2012
The The Unauthorized Star Wars Compendium is probably one of the good universe companion books out there.
Despite it not approved or licensed by the creators and producers of the Star Wars universe, it's got a pretty comprehensive guide to practically everything officially Star Wars (up 'til the year 1999).
It's got pretty neat info on the making of the Star Wars Original Trilogy, the Star Wars Original Trilogy Radio Dramas, and the expanded universe in the comics and novels.
What I liked best in this book is the timeline of novels and comics presented against the events of the Original Trilogy. The book also gives a quite detailed look into the Prequel Trilogy, which was still on its way to completion during this book's time.
I found the book "weak" in some areas. For a guide book or companion book to a really expansive and retroactive canon, it comes off as pretty opinionated. It even ends the book with an opinion section entitled Fifty Reasons Why "Jedi" Sucks, a criticism of the third installment of the Original Trilogy - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Because of it's very opinionated nature, I'm afraid those who won't agree (like myself) may not find the book's appeal.
Nevertheless, the book is pretty much worth having around if you're into the growing fandom of the Star Wars universe; and I cannot say without lying that it isn't a nice, fun read.
May the Force be with you in your quest for good reads.
Despite it not approved or licensed by the creators and producers of the Star Wars universe, it's got a pretty comprehensive guide to practically everything officially Star Wars (up 'til the year 1999).
It's got pretty neat info on the making of the Star Wars Original Trilogy, the Star Wars Original Trilogy Radio Dramas, and the expanded universe in the comics and novels.
What I liked best in this book is the timeline of novels and comics presented against the events of the Original Trilogy. The book also gives a quite detailed look into the Prequel Trilogy, which was still on its way to completion during this book's time.
I found the book "weak" in some areas. For a guide book or companion book to a really expansive and retroactive canon, it comes off as pretty opinionated. It even ends the book with an opinion section entitled Fifty Reasons Why "Jedi" Sucks, a criticism of the third installment of the Original Trilogy - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Because of it's very opinionated nature, I'm afraid those who won't agree (like myself) may not find the book's appeal.
Nevertheless, the book is pretty much worth having around if you're into the growing fandom of the Star Wars universe; and I cannot say without lying that it isn't a nice, fun read.
May the Force be with you in your quest for good reads.
June 20, 2021
Enjoyable. Non official and therefore I guess giving less ‘palatable’ opinions.
But very enjoyable and great facts and insights
But very enjoyable and great facts and insights
April 11, 2011
The most interesting thing about this book is that it was written in the furor of excitement that predated the prequels release. In other words, the author still had the once-common viewpoint that the prequel movies (Episodes I, II, III) were going to be awesome and that nothing could be worse than Jedi. Oh how history has a way of reshaping our expectations...
I learned a lot about the movie production of the original Star Wars that I had not heard before in the way of script development and shopping around for film studios willing to back such a crazy idea. It's a well-written history of Star Wars products and the evolution of the universe it created. It follows a generally chronological timeline of product releases, talks about the Radio Dramas, the comic books, the novels and more as they were developed and released.
The Star Wars universe has expanded so much since the Prequel trilogy -- partly because after those movies were finished the general history was now established and there was much less "off-limits" material for writers. It's nice to read this book which takes a look at the history of Star Wars products BEFORE this huge explosion. Seems easier to digest that way, as well as giving insight into things that might generally be overlooked now (such as the Marvel Comics series, earlier books and their impact, etc.)
There are some superb sidebars and short articles. The "50 Reasons Why Jedi Sucks" is a hilarious lampoon, and some comments from famous movie reviewers also give choice impressions of the "Special Edition" releases. Speaking of those, the time the book was written they had no idea that these "Special Editions" weren't even the final tinkering at all, but that things would be further "improved" by George Lucas.
As far as timelines go, this book does a great job at summarizing in chronological order the many Star Wars materials (books, movies, comics, etc.) Unfortunately this chronology is well over 10 years old, and much has been produced since. The internets are definitely the only way to get current information on the now HUGE Star Wars expanded universe.
All things considered, though, this is a great historical, behind-the-scenes resource and record. I'd especially recommend it to fans of Star Wars who are nostalgic for a time before everything went belly-up with Jar-Jar binks, clone armies and terribly-acted romances. (and it's obvious that Natalie Portman was not the problem). Remember and revisit.
I learned a lot about the movie production of the original Star Wars that I had not heard before in the way of script development and shopping around for film studios willing to back such a crazy idea. It's a well-written history of Star Wars products and the evolution of the universe it created. It follows a generally chronological timeline of product releases, talks about the Radio Dramas, the comic books, the novels and more as they were developed and released.
The Star Wars universe has expanded so much since the Prequel trilogy -- partly because after those movies were finished the general history was now established and there was much less "off-limits" material for writers. It's nice to read this book which takes a look at the history of Star Wars products BEFORE this huge explosion. Seems easier to digest that way, as well as giving insight into things that might generally be overlooked now (such as the Marvel Comics series, earlier books and their impact, etc.)
There are some superb sidebars and short articles. The "50 Reasons Why Jedi Sucks" is a hilarious lampoon, and some comments from famous movie reviewers also give choice impressions of the "Special Edition" releases. Speaking of those, the time the book was written they had no idea that these "Special Editions" weren't even the final tinkering at all, but that things would be further "improved" by George Lucas.
As far as timelines go, this book does a great job at summarizing in chronological order the many Star Wars materials (books, movies, comics, etc.) Unfortunately this chronology is well over 10 years old, and much has been produced since. The internets are definitely the only way to get current information on the now HUGE Star Wars expanded universe.
All things considered, though, this is a great historical, behind-the-scenes resource and record. I'd especially recommend it to fans of Star Wars who are nostalgic for a time before everything went belly-up with Jar-Jar binks, clone armies and terribly-acted romances. (and it's obvious that Natalie Portman was not the problem). Remember and revisit.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews