Product Description
Traces the life of the film maker who directed such movies as "American Graffitti" and "Star Wars." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a great story in the star wars fasion!
As a child of the 80s, it's only natural that I was a fan of star wars growing up.As a fan of books, it's only natural that sooner or later I'd get involved in reading star wars. Admittedly, while being a fan of the original trilogy, and SOME parts of the prequels, I never touched a star wars book or comic before in my life.A co-worker lent me this book some months ago.Recently with the whole star wars turns 30 celebration, I watched the original trilogy on DVD again and got 'bit by the bug' as they say.The same happened to me with the star trek 40th birthday, grabbing onto the original series on DVD as well as as many paperbacks as I could.Anyway, enough back story ;)

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was.I wasn't expecting that much but from start to finish, this book has that authentic spirit of star wars.And it centers around one of my favoirte characters, Han Solo.

The characterization is spot on.Han, always looking out for number one seems to have an uncanny knack of getting involved in situations where he ends up being the hero, whether he likes it or not.The ironic part of it is is that he's GOOD at it! This book carries that characterization out very well.

Just looking for ship's repairs and mock up trader papers, Han gets involved in a conspiracy involving the galactic Trade Authority in which 'enemies' of the Authority just happen to disappear without a trace.

The play between Han, Chewbacca and the rest of teh characters, both good and bad (especially the droids..we all know how he feels about them) is really fun to read and there's plenty of action in the grand star wars fasion that, as fans, we're used to and have come to expect.My next read is going to be Han Solo's revenge and I can't wait.Highly recommended to any Star Wars fan, hardcore and casual alike.

Han Solo book
The book is great. It was what I expected and it came so soon after ordering. ... Read more

Product Description
Working Abroad includes comprehensive listings to help you plan your trip and find work. Backed up with illuminating case studies of people who have been there and done that, it also includes a country-by-country guide to overseas work, right across the globe, with up-to-date practical advice on finding work, obtaining the right visas and contracts for organisations who will put you in the know. Whether you want to do something simply to fund your backpacking or gain some invaluable career experience. if you're taking a year out before going to university or are just fed up with the daily nine-to-five grind, you can't do without this essential advice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

light but well researched
This is a fairly academic (but not strictly so) approach to the films of George Lucas. As the author states in the introduction it is not a biography, but rather looks at each major films Lucas has been connected with, exploring the creative process, major themes and other aspects. The book, it seems, it aimed at film students mainly, giving brief overviews of different parts of the production process (scripting, casting, production). It also looks at major themes, the tendency of Lucas' films to go "forwards/backwards" in the story line and the use of music.

I am not sure exactly who this book is aimed at. Film school student may find the book a little thin on details, casual fans will find it a little dry. There are plenty of tidbits, trivia and anecdotes, but since the book never decides if it is aimed at the general public or USC grad students, it tends to be unsatisfying. Smith also tends to come off as a Lucas apologist. Sometimes he is correct in pointing out the impossible problem of pleasing rabid fans and snooty critics, but at other times he seems to be arguing that Lucas is just "misunderstood," to me a sign of a weak argument.

Smith has obviously done his homework, and his notes about the multiple versions of the film are interesting with out resorting to trainspotting. Speaking of which, his distinctly UK viewpoint is sometimes interesting for it's removed objectivity, but also can get in the way when he must cross cultural barriers to understand the very American Lucas.

Good launching pad for the discussion of Lucas' work, it makes a case that Lucas' main contribution to film has been technical not narrative. ... Read more

Product Description
Our nation's first president is not usually thought of as a man of words. Unlike the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials in the nation's capital, the Washington monument is inscribed with no words for the benefit of posterity. Yet Washington was keenly aware of the power and importance of language. From the time of his entrance into the public arena at the age of twenty to his death forty-seven years later, he produced a steady stream of letters, reports, memoranda, addresses, messages, and speeches designed to express his views and to persuade people to them. Here, collected in an elegant volume, is the authoritative selection of Washington's thoughts and observations culled from his public discourse and private correspondence. As we read his comments on subjects as diverse as government, foreign policy, religious freedom, friendship, character, and relations between the sexes, we find that his words are often as applicable to our own time as they were to his. ... Read more

Product Description
The storybook of Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace is filled with photography from the movie.The book is written at about a 4th grade reading level and is a favorite classroom library book for grades 2nd to 4th and makes a nice Star Wars collectable as well. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Exciting For the Young Star Wars Fan
"His name was Darth Vader. But before he fell to the dark side...before an entire galazy trembled in his shadow...he was known simply as Anakin Skywalker. This is the beginning of his story-and the first episode of the epic adventure Star Wars!"

My young son and daughter (six and eight) love this storybook! They are Star Wars fans and this book is oversized and full of photos from the movie. The text is better than the usual "book from the movie" drivel. I highly reccomend it. ... Read more

Product Description
A Star Wars story in graphic-novel form. Luke gets more than he bargained for while helping Princess Leia when they have an unscheduled landing in the swamplands in Mimban. ... Read more

Product Description
When scientists at the Aerodyne Lab aim their Laser Spectroscope at a neighboring star, two aliens are transported to Earth--a wise-quacking duck and an evil space monster whose plans include conquering the Earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

More than a gaming book
First lets get down to the basics. This is supposed to be a sourcebook for a role playing game based on the Willow movie. The book itself is not a compete core rules kind of book. It's better. Not because it has more gaming information. Far from it. I like it better because it is a valuable resource of the history, characters, creatures and lands of the movie. Best of all for you "is it official?" crowd the book is 100% officially confirmed by LucasFilm (the dudes who made the movie).

Regarding the game side you essentially port Dungeon and Dragons style rules to the game and you're set. The book provides stats for characters and creatures as well as details on how spells work. It's not a wealth of gaming knowledge, but then again that's not makes this game sweet.

The real meat and potatos of this book is the background information you get on the world of Willow. I mean you get just about anyting you can think of. You get detailed histories of all the major characters (Willow, Madmartigan, Bavmorda, and much more) as well as several minor characters. You get all of that and more. While the major characters do have lots more pages to them you also get just about all the info you can want on the minor characters like all of the nelwyns that have names in the movies, the brownies, Madmartigan's old brother-in-arms Airk, and even Elora's nursemaid that you only saw at the beginning of the movie.

Characters aren't the only thing you get detailed information on. You also get a wealth of background on the various creatures in the movie (as well as some info on monsters not in the movie, but part of the Willow universe). You also get details on culture and history of the different races like the nelwyns, fairies, and brownies. On top of all that you get some non-game details on magic and spells as well as some information on the various lands and kingdoms travelled in the movie.

The book was written by Allen Varney, who has written game books for Mage: The Ascention, Paranoia, Dungeons and Dragons, and Marvel Heroes. The book is published by Eric Goldberg Associates, who are known for game books like Paranoia and stuff like kid's toys. Finally the book is distributed by Tor Books, who is a big name in science fiction and fantasy books. How can you go wrong with a combination like that?

All in all it is a wealth of information. Best of all this isn't just stuff some guy came up with to fill up space on a "game" book. If you are a fan of the movie this book is a definite must, and not because you can play a pencil and paper game based on the movie. This book is as good as any Star Wars or Star Trek book that details their respecive universes. If you are a fan of fantasy settings than, of course, this book is worth getting for the same reasons stated above. ... Read more

Product Description
Director, writer, producer -- George Lucas has done it all. By securing the merchandising and sequel rights to his movie Star Wars and starting Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) to produce special effects, Lucas created an empire. This book covers the latest details about Lucas, his projects, and ILM. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great insight into a master
I really enjoy this book.George Lucas's work had a profound effect on me, and this book helped me understand more about the man behind the movie magic; not just how he accomplished what he has. ... Read more

Product Description
This series tells the stories of the lives of famous people and also provides evidence for each story. Children are encouraged to think about how we know about each individual and the events that made them famous. ... Read more

Product Description
Original movie script. ... Read more