In this unique, multi-volume resource for serious Star Wars fans, historian W.R. Miller presents a complete chronological account of the Star Wars cinematic franchise, from 1971-1990. This first volume covers 1971-1976, with a foreword by Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz.
Part narrative, part oral history, part exhaustive reference, the Star Wars Historical Sourcebook draws upon dozens of interviews with Star Wars cast, crew, and the cadre of supporters who promoted the films, wrote the novelizations, and worked behind-the-scenes with George Lucas to bring a galaxy far, far away to a theatre near you.
Miller includes hundreds of excerpts from books, newspaper articles, and magazines, with annotated references, copious notes, and introductory articles for each year.
For those who want to know everything about how Star Wars was conceived, filmed, and promoted, this is the only book you’ll need.
As the Star Wars galaxy expands at ever-increasing speeds and young fans join the conveyex, there is the very real risk that the earliest years of the saga’s development are no longer talked about. Not that there haven’t already been must-read tomes looking at those early years, but as new fans step on at the many jumping on points now available, the important beginnings of the story starting with George Lucas could very well evade them.
While the older generation one fans, a group in which I include myself, are very aware of these magical early days, there can never be enough books looking at this time, and The Star Wars Historical Sourcebook: Volume One 1971 to 1976 by Bob Miller looks at the building blocks before the release of the film itself. It’s an outstanding effort, to compile from interviews and news clippings, a 375 page book listing day-to-day the many threads that weaved together to make that first, phenomenal film.
It’s often said, while the saga is arguably bigger than it’s ever been right now in terms of content and reach, that there will never be a bigger summer than ’77, the summer of Star Wars. There’s a distinctly black and white, very 70’s British charm about the news compiled by Miller. That legendary hot summer of ’76 is covered in what is the largest chapter of the book, but the early years – when all the stars were aligning, Lucas, Kurtz, Watts, the naming of ‘wookey, the incorporation of Lucasfilm – through the release of THX, the making of American Graffiti and then the development of The Star Wars. Miller nails the specific days these events happened, listing them in order and building a stream of information which steadily grows into a torrent of activity right through to the end of 1976.
As with The Star Wars Phenomenon in Britain: The Blockbuster Impact and the Galaxy of Merchandise, 1977-1983 earlier this year, material I’ve published elsewhere are used in the book, so I can’t claim to be completely devoid of personal investment (you can even find my fugly mug on page 364 next to Maggie and Don Thompson, underneath Ryder Windham, John Scoleri and Craig Miller) but I’ve no doubt I would be every bit as impressed with this release even if my material hadn’t been used. The book is exhaustive in the best way, and it will sit nicely on the reference shelf alongside – amongst others – Once Upon A Galaxy and Rinzlers three Making of books.
Hats off to Bob Miller for the diligence, research and organisation used to pull this book together. I’m already looking forward to the next volume as we hit 1977 and hyperspace.
Many thanks to Pulp Hero Press for the free review copy.
