How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise

When American filmmaker George Lucas set out to create a space fantasy for the big screen nearly 40 years ago, he never dreamed that Star Wars would become a beloved global phenomenon and one of the most profitable entertainment franchises today. Taylor (deputy editor, mashable.com) explores how the movie, its sequels and prequels, toys and merchandise, and the "expanded universe" of books, comics, video games, and role-playing organizations became infused into our cultural lexicon. Through extensive interviews, in-depth analysis, and exhaustive research, Taylor sheds light on Lucas's life, the entertainment business, and the influences the movie has had on society. Star Wars, with its groundbreaking visual effects, not only changed the way movies are made but the way people experience them—its myth-based storytelling and the immersive fandom that sprang up in the decades following the film's debut were both departures from movies of the past.