Star Wars

Josef Benson is an associate professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. He is the author of Hypermasculinities in the Contemporary Novel: Cormac McCarthy, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin (2014) and J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: A Cultural History (2018).

A well-researched history of the complicated relationships between the architect of Star Wars, George Lucas, and his contemporaries, his creations, and the fans . . . A brief overview of science fiction fandom, from publisher Hugo Gernsback to fan fiction, slash fiction, and the concept of canon is helpful, as is the exploration of the way Lucas' success licensing merchandise changed the landscape. Benson also draws connections between Lucas' films and his insecurity as an outsider and his conflict between commerce and artistic integrity. Most compelling is the exploration of the complicated relationship between producers and fans, and readers from any fandom will find much of interest.

• AcknowledgmentsPrologue: The Triumph of Nerd CultureChapter 1: Aren’t You a Little Short for a Stormtrooper?Chapter 2: These Aren’t the Droids You’re Looking For Chapter 3: I Have a Bad Feeling about This Chapter 4: A Great Disturbance in the Force Chapter 5: I Am Altering the Deal Chapter 6: This Is the WayConclusion: The Cycle Is Complete