GEORGE LUCAS: A LIFE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Brian Jay Jones | 550 pages | 06 Dec 2016 | Little Brown and Company | 9780316257442 | English | United States George Lucas: A Life | Wookieepedia | Fandom It was released on December 6 , The definitive biography of one of the most influential filmmakers ever--George Lucas. On May 25, , a problem- plagued, budget-straining, independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theatres. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, Star Wars reinvented the cinematic landscape, ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. And if that wasn't game-changing enough, Lucas went on to create another blockbuster series with Indiana Jones, and completely revolutionized the world of special effects, not to mention sound systems. His work and legacy have led to a rash of innovation and democratization in film and television. 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Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, the movie originally called The Star Wars quickly drew blocks-long lines, bursting box-office records and ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. It is now one of the most adored-and successful-movie franchises of all time. Now, the author of the bestselling biography Jim Henson delivers a long-awaited, revelatory look into the life and times of the man who created Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Indiana Jones. If Star Wars wasn't game-changing enough, Lucas went on to create another blockbuster series with Indiana Jones, and he completely transformed the world of special effects and the way movies sound. Lucas's colleagues and competitors offer tantalizing glimpses into his life. His entire career has been stimulated by innovators including Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, actors such as Harrison Ford, and the very technologies that enabled the creation of his films-and allowed him to keep tinkering with them long after their original releases. Like his unforgettable characters and stories, his influence is unmatched. About the Author. He worked for nearly two decades as a public policy analyst and speechwriter, and has a degree in English literature from the University of New Mexico. George Lucas - Wikipedia I listened to the audiobook version and heard it cover to cover. While today, George Lucas is on the Forbes list as one of the wealthiest people in the U. Growing up in Modesto, California and the son of a business man who owned a stati Fascinating Insights Into the Life of George Lucas Well-written biographies are revealing and filled with valuable lessons for the reader. Growing up in Modesto, California and the son of a business man who owned a stationary shop, Lucas was not instantly successful. The storytelling details in this book are excellent and enjoyable. I highly recommend this audiobook. Sep 03, Andrew rated it really liked it. I'm guessing this not an authorised biography, as Lucas comes across as less than mythical and certainly no saint, but rather as an eccentric artist and business manager with an almost pathological need for total control. It isn't a hatchet-job, either, but rather a more realistic, non-hagiographical, non-sensational, non-scandalous narrative of the life of one of our generation's last great shapers of western culture. The greatness, the flaws, the creativity, the mis-steps, the vision, the blin I'm guessing this not an authorised biography, as Lucas comes across as less than mythical and certainly no saint, but rather as an eccentric artist and business manager with an almost pathological need for total control. The greatness, the flaws, the creativity, the mis-steps, the vision, the blindness, everything is a mixed bag in this biography, with the result that this is story of a life, artistic, and business career that will warn as well as inspire. Jul 08, CJ Spear rated it really liked it. Brian Jay Jones has written an incredibly compelling account of Lucas's life and his impact on cinema. The insights this book offers illuminate how each of his iconic films were affected and formed by his life experiences and crises. Lucas doesn't get enough credit for his influence, and yet he doesn't care about that. The biography doesn't portray a man obsessed with his image, but instead a loyal friend, a shrewd businessman, a stubborn artist, and a caring father. Jul 31, James rated it really liked it. For such a dull, humorless, somewhat authoritarian and anti-social, and stubborn director and writer and, honestly, a bit of a genius, George Lucas makes a pretty fascinating subject of a biography. This takes you from his childhood in Modesto, CA right up to his billionaire status after selling his empire, of sorts, to Disney. You learn about his relationships with Spielberg and the prickly, yet mentor-like friendship with Francis Ford Coppola. He wanted to make art films and he did in film sch For such a dull, humorless, somewhat authoritarian and anti-social, and stubborn director and writer and, honestly, a bit of a genius, George Lucas makes a pretty fascinating subject of a biography. He wanted to make art films and he did in film school and wanted to change the way the public saw films and how they watched them. So many films copied it and today it seems But it changed movies in many ways. The creation of that unexpected blockbuster changed his direction and altered his life and his fortune and his marriage. The man predicted and foretold the streaming of films in our homes, DVDs, social networking and video gaming. Kind of impressive person. In many ways, he is our modern day Disney and, ironically, sold it all off to that company that promised him story approval and such Then they lied. He isn't happy right now, but this book was a 'happy' easy surprising educating read for anyone interested in movies.. Mar 29, Phil rated it it was amazing. I cannot give this book high enough praise, based mainly on the author's research and easy style, which makes the book flow from start to finish much like a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. I went into this book with a masters in Star Wars, I emerged with a Ph. It should have been called "A History of Star Wars, with oh yeah, some George Lucas too" which is praise, not criticism. The book was less about George's emotional, interpersonal life, and more about his professional life, which, l I cannot give this book high enough praise, based mainly on the author's research and easy style, which makes the book flow from start to finish much like a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. The book was less about George's emotional, interpersonal life, and more about his professional life, which, let's face it, is inextricably wound up with the greatest film franchise ever conceived. George's desire for control, and the Hollywood politics move the narrative along well but, in my opinion, the real unsung hero of this tale is George's ex-wife, Marcia Lucas. I'd love to have gotten more of her perspective. A brilliant editor and collaborator in her own right, she played second fiddle to George's love affair with his work, and I was surprised to discover in the acknowledgments that this bio was "unauthorized. May the Force be with you. I realize this review is a little scattered, but I'm cooking dinner at the same time I'm reviewing. Being on this journey to read about ultimately giving away his baby to Disney was heartbreaking to read. You genuinely felt sorrow for the loss of the creation of a franchise he made with just a pencil and yellow line note pad. This book has inspired me more to tell stories and most importantly, to not le Motivational! This book has inspired me more to tell stories and most importantly, to not let others get involved and to tell the stories I want and the way I want to tell them. May 28, Julie rated it it was amazing Shelves: non-fiction , star- wars , biography-or-memoir , from-library , It feels like quite an accomplishment to have gotten through this hefty tome. It was endlessly fascinating, though, and I learned so much about not just George Lucas, but the strides in film technology that came from his mind and his companies. Feb 10, Matthew rated it liked it Shelves: biographies. I have mixed feelings about this book, but overall I enjoyed it. Last year I read Jones's book on Jim Henson, and I feel like that one was much better researched and more of a passion project for Jones.