Description

Book Synopsis

Among the top-grossing Hollywood blockbusters of all time, Star Wars launched one of the most successful movie and licensing franchises in history. Yet much of the film''s backstory was set in Britain, where the original trilogy was made and where early efforts at tie-in merchandising were spearheaded.

The author provides a detailed account of the saga''s British connection, including personal recollections of fans in the UK, exclusive interviews with staff members of Palitoy who took on the challenge of producing millions of toys, and the story of how a group of writers from the underground press in London combined with Marvel comics to produce the first Star Wars expanded universe.



Trade Review
"Craig Stevens has amassed a treasure trove of anecdotes from those involved in the pre-release publicity, as well as a thorough examination of how information about the film trickled through to those of us who were anxiously awaiting its release. All in all, a joyous and celebratory look back at an unique era of fandom, the likes of which we’ll never see again." - Starburst magazine.

"I enjoyed the book hugely. Craig Stevens has obviously done an enormous amount of good old-fashioned legwork, interviewing people and trawling archives. This is absolutely not the kind of thing you can do just from the internet and a personal collection of literature. The whole thing really brought back the Star Wars atmosphere of 1978-83 very vividly." - Darren Slade. Writer/editor Episode Nothing: Star Wars in the 1970s

"I was completely hooked. It's so refreshing to read about Star Wars from a British point of view. Most of what the book contains is new to me which is incredible when you think how much I've read about the films in the past 35 or so years. Congratulations and thank you for putting together a publication that I'm sure Star Wars fans the world over will really enjoy." - James Simmonds, Editor of Star Wars Bounty Hunter magazine

"This wonderful book lovingly captures Star Wars fever in the UK. The book is filled with accounts by people who were there on the front line. The creators, the marketers, the manufacturers, and last but not least the fans who voraciously ate it all up and begged for more. This book is a love letter to the creation, and consumption of everything that made my childhood a magical and memorable time. Star Wars is forever no matter what galaxy, or side of the Atlantic you’re from! BRAVO!" - Tom Berges curator of igrewupstarwars.com

"★★★★" - Screentrade Magazine

The Star Wars Phenomenon in Britain

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    £20.89

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    RRP £21.99 – you save £1.10 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Craig Stevens

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      View other formats and editions of The Star Wars Phenomenon in Britain by Craig Stevens

      Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
      Publication Date: 1/28/2018 12:02:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9781476666082, 978-1476666082
      ISBN10: 1476666083

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Among the top-grossing Hollywood blockbusters of all time, Star Wars launched one of the most successful movie and licensing franchises in history. Yet much of the film''s backstory was set in Britain, where the original trilogy was made and where early efforts at tie-in merchandising were spearheaded.

      The author provides a detailed account of the saga''s British connection, including personal recollections of fans in the UK, exclusive interviews with staff members of Palitoy who took on the challenge of producing millions of toys, and the story of how a group of writers from the underground press in London combined with Marvel comics to produce the first Star Wars expanded universe.



      Trade Review
      "Craig Stevens has amassed a treasure trove of anecdotes from those involved in the pre-release publicity, as well as a thorough examination of how information about the film trickled through to those of us who were anxiously awaiting its release. All in all, a joyous and celebratory look back at an unique era of fandom, the likes of which we’ll never see again." - Starburst magazine.

      "I enjoyed the book hugely. Craig Stevens has obviously done an enormous amount of good old-fashioned legwork, interviewing people and trawling archives. This is absolutely not the kind of thing you can do just from the internet and a personal collection of literature. The whole thing really brought back the Star Wars atmosphere of 1978-83 very vividly." - Darren Slade. Writer/editor Episode Nothing: Star Wars in the 1970s

      "I was completely hooked. It's so refreshing to read about Star Wars from a British point of view. Most of what the book contains is new to me which is incredible when you think how much I've read about the films in the past 35 or so years. Congratulations and thank you for putting together a publication that I'm sure Star Wars fans the world over will really enjoy." - James Simmonds, Editor of Star Wars Bounty Hunter magazine

      "This wonderful book lovingly captures Star Wars fever in the UK. The book is filled with accounts by people who were there on the front line. The creators, the marketers, the manufacturers, and last but not least the fans who voraciously ate it all up and begged for more. This book is a love letter to the creation, and consumption of everything that made my childhood a magical and memorable time. Star Wars is forever no matter what galaxy, or side of the Atlantic you’re from! BRAVO!" - Tom Berges curator of igrewupstarwars.com

      "★★★★" - Screentrade Magazine

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