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Cover of The History and Politics of Star Wars

The History and Politics of Star Wars

by Chris Kempshall

Book Details

Publisher:Taylor & Francis
Published:2022-08-11
Pages:205
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

This book provides the first detailed and comprehensive examination of all the materials making up the Star Wars franchise relating to the portrayal and representation of real-world history and politics. Drawing on a variety of sources, including films, published interviews with directors and actors, novels, comics, and computer games, this volume explores the ways in which historical and contemporary events have been repurposed within Star Wars. It focuses on key themes such as fascism and the

Our Review

This book offers a groundbreaking academic analysis of how the Star Wars universe has consistently repurposed real-world history and political ideologies, from the Roman Empire's fall to the rise of modern fascism. Drawing from a vast array of sources including the films, novels, comics, and creator interviews, it meticulously traces the lineage of the franchise's central conflicts, revealing how the Galactic Empire's iconography and the Rebel Alliance's insurgency are deeply rooted in historical precedent. The work provides a serious, scholarly investigation into the political subtext that has always underpinned the galaxy far, far away.

What makes this study so compelling is its accessibility; it bridges the gap between dense political theory and pop culture fandom without sacrificing intellectual rigor. Readers with an interest in political science, modern history, or critical media studies will find a rich, evidence-based exploration that forever changes how they view the saga. By connecting the dots between Palpatine's rise and real-world demagogues, or the Clone Army and the mechanics of military-industrial complexes, the book elevates Star Wars from simple space fantasy to a vital lens for examining our own world's enduring struggles between authoritarianism and freedom.

Themes

History

Subjects

History