This book was sent to me as a review book, which puts me in a rather unique place. I am a fan of the films, I have them all on DVD, and I remember being fascinated when I watched a documentary concerning the making, the special effects etc. However, this isn’t the sort of book that I would usually buy for myself, and I certainly don’t call myself an expert.

With all this said, my initial reaction upon seeing the book was simply “wow” - it’s a large hardback, with a grand total of 357 pages. That feeling of awe remained as I flicked through the pages.. there are some fantastic photos and drawings, many of which are early versions of characters etc, who never made it to the film. Others, however, are very well known.. seeing an early drawing of Darth Vader had me grinning like a child!

There’s also a wealth of information within the book, most of which I haven’t had a chance to read yet. For some fans, they may wish to sit and read from cover to cover, but for me, the joy of this book is dipping in and out, reading a little at a time. Having not read any other books about the film, I have no idea how much of this is fresh information, but the publisher say that included is information from many previously unseen interviews.

If you’re a casual fan, wishing to take a deeper look at the history of the film, then this book must be highly recommended, it’s certainly something that I will be going back to again and again. Even at full price, as this is a book full of information and photos, and one that you will want to keep, it’s value for money.

If a dedicated fan, you can find more information about the content at the publishers site. Various reviews, however, from those with a deeper knowledge than myself, seem to believe that this is a premium book on the subject.

The cover looks fantastic, the photos inside look fantastic, and the content certainly appears impressive. For anyone with an interest in the film, I would urge you to buy it. :0)

A truly comprehensive narrative of the conception and execution of the first Star Wars film. Those discouraged by the George Lucas of 2007 needn't worry, because the George Lucas of 1977 is even more of an inspiring figure than you ever knew, and this book brings that Lucas back to life. A must-have for fans of the original film. ( )