EMPIRE BUILDING -- a great book on SW!

[mark2d2]

My sister just sent this to me a few weeks back. It's entitled EMPIRE BUILDING: The Remarkable Real Life Story of Star Wars. It was written by Gary Jenkins. Published by Citadel Press.

Anyway, it's a fascinating read on the behind the scenes of the OT. And even has an updated section about the making of TPM.

If you're at all interested in Film Making -- or what went on back stage, this book is great. There's also a few interesting on the set photos too. Kids as Jawas. Ponda Boba getting direction . . .

The book also details the end of the Kurtz/Lucas partnership. At one point Lucas went ballistic, even yelling at Kurtz, Kershner and the editor "You're ruining My Movie!" at the screening of the rough cut of ESB.

Definitely worth checking out.

[Rollo Tomassi]

As one of the main sources of interview material, the book heavily skews in favor of Gary Kurtz being unfairly treated throughout the making of the first two movies. It is a very excellent read, but don't get sucked too far to one side of the story. I do recommend it for all the interesting behind the scene stories about the films.

[mark2d2]

Oh, I know all about how that can tilt things.

Still, it gains credability when you think that the film Kurtz had the most direct involvement on is frequently mentioned as being the Zenith of the franchise. And it's been a downward spiral ever since he left the scene.

Hopefully, ATOC can finally stop the slide. But those pictures of all the Kiddy Jedi make me very nervous . . .

[Wolfwood319]

They also mention how Carrie Fisher was a crack-*****!

Actually, it reall was a great book, about the "real life" making of Star Wars. Like when that producer on ESB died, and stuff like that. Really really eye opening to those who think it was all sunshine and lypops.

[Jargo]

What's the ISBN number on the back of the book mark? If I have that i can find the book anywhere. Without it I'm jiggered

Also, what was the RRP on it. These details are invaluable to a book collector. Sloppy reportage details will not to be tolerated young man!

[mark2d2]

ISBN 0-8065-2087-6.

RRP? What is that?
Recommended Retail Price?
$15.95.

It came out in 1999.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I bought mine before the TPM insert. And I too felt that the book was a little one-sided.

RRP=
Really Ruined Paperback?
Rare Re-sold Piece
Rather Read Poetry
Ricky Roted Perdygood
Risque Rwandan Prose

[Jargo]

yes, that's exactly it Bel-Cam - Risque Rwandan Prose!

Thanks for that Mark. RRP is indeed reccomended retail price. I know it's something different in the States but couldn't remember the acronym. I shall be hunting this out.

I like to read about Kurtz and Lucas fighting like kitycats even if it is one sided.

[Rollo Tomassi]

SRP -- Suggested Retail Price.

The book isn't bad. It's very good reading, but realize after you've finished it that George Lucas wasn't interviewed once, and Gary Kurtz was interviewed and quoted repeatedly. You need to take that into account as a reason why the book favors Kurtz's POV. Then again, they never invite Kurtz to do interviews in SW Insider or at conventions, so reading this will balance out all that other stuff you've read from the Lucasfilm BS machine...I mean propaganda department...I mean Office of Strategic Influence...I mean publicity dept.

by the way, didn't Kurtz become a menenite or a hasidic jew or something? I thought I read that somewhere.

[Cotasnoova]

Skywalking is also a good book on George Lucas