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Star Wars: The Unauthorised Inside Story of George Lucas's Epic
George Lucas was a rebel, refusing to make films in the style of the dying studio system, while relentlessly pushing the technology of the day. From the unexpected success of the original 'Star Wars' in 1977, to the blockbusting prequel trilogy, this is the fascinating story of how it all happened.
264 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
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66 people want to read
About the author
Brian J. Robb
79 books23 followersBrian J. Robb is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling biographer of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt. He has also written books on silent cinema, the films of Philip K. Dick, Wes Craven, and Laurel and Hardy, the Star Wars movies, Superheroes, Gangsters, and Walt Disney, as well as science fiction television series Doctor Who and Star Trek. His illustrated books include an Illustrated History of Steampunk and a guide to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth (Winner, Best Book, Tolkien Society Awards). He writes and edits the Chaplin: Film by Film centenary blog site and is co-editor of the Sci-Fi Bulletin website. He lives in Edinburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 14, 2023
" Early in 1977, there was one final screening of the unfinished [first] film for a group of friends of George Lucas before the general public got to see it . . . The screening was not a success . . . [However] there was one dissenter among the mocking crowd. 'This movie has a marvelous innocence and naïveté' said Steven Spielberg, 'That's all George - and people will love it. It's going to make $100 million!" -- director Spielberg simultaneously showing both great foresightedness AND guilelessness, on page 69
Robb's A Brief Guide to Star Wars - which was the cover title of my copy, although GR's listing says otherwise - was a fairly detailed look at the production of the blockbuster initial (1977-1983) and maligned second (1999-2005) trilogies of the Star Wars saga which both featured direct involvement of creator George Lucas. (Note - owing to its 2012 copyright date AND Lucas' lack of involvement the most recent trilogy is not discussed.). For clocking in at a brisk and barely 250 pages it was still a really good and thorough narrative, and initially starts with a mini-biography of Lucas before making the jump into hyper-space towards the production of the movie series that would establish his name. Surprisingly, for a non-endorsed product written by a British journalist this was a respectful work that didn't really rock the boat (e.g. the reviled Jar-Jar Banks character receives only a modicum of polite dislike) and/or get particularly salacious with the behind-the-scenes details. The nostalgia factor of the late 70's / early 80's was also strong with this one, as evident by Marvel Comics editor Jim Shooter's observation that "Not since the Beatles had I seen a cultural phenomenon of such power."
Robb's A Brief Guide to Star Wars - which was the cover title of my copy, although GR's listing says otherwise - was a fairly detailed look at the production of the blockbuster initial (1977-1983) and maligned second (1999-2005) trilogies of the Star Wars saga which both featured direct involvement of creator George Lucas. (Note - owing to its 2012 copyright date AND Lucas' lack of involvement the most recent trilogy is not discussed.). For clocking in at a brisk and barely 250 pages it was still a really good and thorough narrative, and initially starts with a mini-biography of Lucas before making the jump into hyper-space towards the production of the movie series that would establish his name. Surprisingly, for a non-endorsed product written by a British journalist this was a respectful work that didn't really rock the boat (e.g. the reviled Jar-Jar Banks character receives only a modicum of polite dislike) and/or get particularly salacious with the behind-the-scenes details. The nostalgia factor of the late 70's / early 80's was also strong with this one, as evident by Marvel Comics editor Jim Shooter's observation that "Not since the Beatles had I seen a cultural phenomenon of such power."
August 19, 2018
Brief but very detailed. I love Star Wars and admire Lucas, but this book had more details than I cared to know. Recommended for rabid Star Wars/Lucas fans.
November 29, 2025
This book covers the making of the six movies and all the extra spin-off material, including toys and TV shows. The little "behind the scenes" facts you learn are very interesting. There's also a heavy concentration on George Lucas's life.
The book explains very little about what happens in the movies themselves (it assumes you are already very familiar with Star Wars) so the title may not be the best choice. But anyone picking this book up is likely familiar with the movies anyway.
I found the beginning of the book more interesting than the end, as it explored Lucas's upbringing and influences, and then his later struggle to create the first movie. The last few chapters of the book (covering Episodes II and III) feel more obligatory, rattled off. But for an "unofficial guide" it is definitely one of the better ones I've read.
The book explains very little about what happens in the movies themselves (it assumes you are already very familiar with Star Wars) so the title may not be the best choice. But anyone picking this book up is likely familiar with the movies anyway.
I found the beginning of the book more interesting than the end, as it explored Lucas's upbringing and influences, and then his later struggle to create the first movie. The last few chapters of the book (covering Episodes II and III) feel more obligatory, rattled off. But for an "unofficial guide" it is definitely one of the better ones I've read.
May 5, 2021
I thought this was just going to cover the timeframe around the original movie, but it actually covers the time from Lucas's early life, through his early films, all the way up to 2012 just before the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney. There are some good tidbits in here. For example, I had no idea how precarious things were financially during the making of The Empire Strikes Back. I also had no idea how difficult writing was for Lucas. I thought all those scripts just poured out of him, but it definitely isn't portrayed that way here.
August 11, 2025
Rating: C+
February 20, 2013
This was an enjoyable little book that focused on the making of the Star Wars saga of films and George Lucas' rise from rebel filmmaker to ruler of his own business empire.
It's not the standard book that one sees of the style "The Making of..." Its focus is on George Lucas starting in his youth and the areas of his life that resulted in the creation of the Star Wars story. From the troubles he had in getting the first film made to the end when he became able to fund the films himself.
Most the stories I was familiar with, but it was nicely summed up in this one volume. It nicely covered his need for complete control; his film making style that prefers a fast paced movie at the expensive of telling a deeper character driven story.
Yes, Star Wars films were supposed to be "fun". But for example, in Empire Strikes Back, the first and only one that he gave more control to others, he was upset at the “love story” between Han and Leia and felt the story wasn’t paced faster, yet most critics and fans feel that was the best of the 6 films.
It’s interesting to see (and he himself admits it) that in trying to get out from under the business side of Hollywood, he became a very similar business. George is the emperor now and Star Wars is his story and reflects a bit of his fall to the dark side… ;-)
It's not the standard book that one sees of the style "The Making of..." Its focus is on George Lucas starting in his youth and the areas of his life that resulted in the creation of the Star Wars story. From the troubles he had in getting the first film made to the end when he became able to fund the films himself.
Most the stories I was familiar with, but it was nicely summed up in this one volume. It nicely covered his need for complete control; his film making style that prefers a fast paced movie at the expensive of telling a deeper character driven story.
Yes, Star Wars films were supposed to be "fun". But for example, in Empire Strikes Back, the first and only one that he gave more control to others, he was upset at the “love story” between Han and Leia and felt the story wasn’t paced faster, yet most critics and fans feel that was the best of the 6 films.
It’s interesting to see (and he himself admits it) that in trying to get out from under the business side of Hollywood, he became a very similar business. George is the emperor now and Star Wars is his story and reflects a bit of his fall to the dark side… ;-)
February 24, 2013
This book is partly a bio about George Lucas and partly a history about the making of the Star Wars movies. As a huge Star Wars fan, I found the tidbits about the movies interesting. For example, each was cursed with bad weather that occurred when filming on location (blizzards during the Hoth scenes, heavy downpours during the Tatooine scenes); Anthony Daniels, once suited up in his shiny costume, had to be propped up on a board since he couldn't sit down; and Empire Strikes Back - the movie that most Star Wars fans agree is the best one of the six - is the one Lucas was least satisfied with - because it focused too much on the characters. If you like Star Wars, you'll find this short book a fast and entertaining read.
February 21, 2014
The title is certainly not misleading because brief is exactly how I would describe this books breakdown of the behind-the-scenes nature of George Lucas's Star Wars saga... Almost like a readers digest version, this is a very interesting and enjoyable read but slightly frustrating in which things discussed immediately courtship a want to know more about things not covered in the book. Certainly worth the time for fans of Star Wars or people just interested in the background behind the films, but be prepared to have the book feel like an appetizer and you being much hungrier for more of a meal than the book gives.
February 21, 2015
A really good and interesting read. I thought it very unique in the sense that it is a history of Star Wars rather that George Lucas specifically. Its not a documentary, rather a fun story full of facts and coincidences. The book it really good up to the end of the release of Episode I. Thereafter I thought it unravelled some what.
A must read for all hard core Star Wars fans.
A must read for all hard core Star Wars fans.
May 5, 2020
A nice, compact summary of the history of Star Wars and its various creative people. Not all the information was accurate, though; occasional grammatical errors (and not the British English differences), too.
January 21, 2013
An interesting read on the origins and hardships endured by George Lucas in getting his "space thing" created, and the development of LucasFilms and related subsidiaries.
November 14, 2013
No muchas sorpresas para los ultra fanáticos de SW pero compacto y preciso sobre la historia de las películas y su creador. Buena mini biografía de Lucas al principio.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews