Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy by Matthew Reinhart
|
List Price: Our Price: $16.49 You Save: $18.50 (53%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy
Book Review: Perfect gift idea for fans, no matter what their age
Summary: 5 Stars
Robert Sabuda and his protégé, Matthew Reinhart, have brought pop-up books back into the mainstream, not only as concept and novelty books for very young children but as genuine works of art and engineering. Their wonderful creations attract readers of all ages, and many a Sabuda/Reinhart project has found its way to coffee tables alongside glossy art books. Reinhart's latest solo effort, STAR WARS: A POP-UP GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, is another such project that will find an audience not only among young readers but also among aficionados of paper engineering and, most importantly, nostalgic adult fans of the Star Wars franchise who will revel in this volume, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars film.
Reinhart, like many adults his age, was raised on the Star Wars mythology, and his knowledge of and appreciation for the Star Wars universe is apparent through the details he integrates into his paper creations, as well as in his dedication "to the visionary artists of STAR WARS, who fashioned a wondrous, distant galaxy with words, paint, clay, sound, and celluloid, inspiring generations of young artists around the world." The text itself is rich, dense, detailed and filled with the facts, figures and history of the fantastic world George Lucas created.
The book focuses primarily on the characters and events of the three original Star Wars movies, although certain elements of the mythology do come from Episodes 1-3. Topics for the two-page spreads include the geography of the galaxy, discussions of the galaxy's social and political structures, descriptions of vehicles, the history of conflicts between the Rebels and the Empire, and Luke Skywalker's story. Since this is more of an encyclopedic guide rather than a storybook, the text does not focus on any single storyline or tell a unified narrative. Instead, it assumes its readers already know the films' plotlines and fills in the details on everything from the origins of the criminal underworld to the technical specifications of R2-D2 and C-3PO.
The design of STAR WARS: A POP-UP GUIDE TO THE GALAXY will be familiar to fans of Reinhart's and Sabuda's other projects, particularly the Encyclopedia Prehistorica series. Each two-page spread consists of a large pop-up feature at its center (examples include the Millennium Falcon and a menacing Darth Vader mask), as well as several smaller, text-heavy foldout "mini books" on a certain theme, each of which may also contain one or more smaller pop-up constructions. These nested "books within a book" result in an unusually rich, interactive reading experience that will keep fans young and old poring over the pages for hours.
The advertised highlights of the illustrations are Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker's working lightsabers, which turn on when their mini-books are opened. As Yoda would say, though, "Patient you must be" --- the lightsabers in my review copy took a good 10-15 seconds to light up after the page was opened.
STAR WARS: A POP-UP GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is a tour de Force --- the perfect gift idea for fans, no matter what their age.
--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
Book Review: Star Wars A Pop-up Guide to the Galaxy
Summary: 5 Stars
STAR WARS: A POP-UP GUIDE TO THE GALAXY BY MATTHEW REINHART: In celebration of the 30th anniversary since the release of Star Wars, along with The Star Wars Vault, there is this true gem for all fans alike: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy. You may be turned away by the term "pop-up," thinking it something that applies only to children's books and to be ignored, and I would tend to agree with you, except in this case! The Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy is the only pop-up book you will need to and ever want to own.
The thick but light book is divided into six double-spread pages. It does not tell the chronological story of Star Wars from episodes I-VI, but is instead more like a report from someone who traveled to this galaxy, far, far away, and came back to tell of what he or she saw and learned there. The copy on each page is detailed and complex. This is not for anyone (if there is anyone) who has yet to see Star Wars, for prior understanding is required, since on each page facts, stats, and details are thrown at you along with incredible colorful pictures that pop-out before your very eyes and almost become real.
To say there is just something for everyone would be like saying the Millennium Falcon could "probably" make the Kessel Run in maybe 12 parsecs. The most impressive tableau is the pop-up of a large Mos Eisley spaceport where our heroes Luke and Obi-Wan first met Han and Chewie. Organized in wonderfully complex 3D fashion, we see the familiar scene with different groups of people and lots of familiar faces, who are all explained. But whether you're hoping some of the lesser known bounty hunters, like IG-88 and Bossk get mentioned; or whether Jabba the Hutt's Desert Skiff can hover up to 50 meters and travel up to 250 kilometers per hour; or whether they remembered to mention the formidable but often forgotten Wedge Antilles; rest assured they are all recorded here.
And if that isn't enough for you, why then you can turn to the last page where you will be greeted by Lord Darth Vader coming out at you with the scarred old man's face beneath. After recovering from that, you turn to the fold-out panels either side of the black helmet which discuss Anakin Skywalker who became Darth Vader on the left and Luke Skywalker on the right. The key here is to open both at the same time, as each character pops out in miniature, each holding their familiar lightsabers which actually light up red and green.
For more reviews, and writings, or to buy yourself a copy, please visit www.alexctelander.com
Book Review: Three amazing reasons this book rocks!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book for a friend who is a real star wars fan. And a real ladies man too. I know, seems totally impossible and now maybe I've lost all credibility with my review. But here goes:
This book is amazing. Trust me. If you want to be surprised by this work of art, stop reading HERE.
Ok, you are still reading, so that means you are ok if I spoil the three surprises I found waiting for us in this book:
1. Each page has not ONE giant pop up, but MANY! Five or so. That's a LOT of pop ups! It can take you many minutes per page to pop stuff up and read the little snippets of info. GREAT!
2. Some pop ups have pop ups INSIDE them! We didn't even notice that till the second time through! Pop-ups INSIDE pop-ups!? That's just CRAZY!
3. Ok here is the real spoiler. Turn back now if you are already convinced. Still here? Ok, here it is: On the last page, two of the smaller pop ups have Luke and Darth Vader in them, with light-sabers drawn. But they weren't colored right. They were both clear! I said to my learned Star Wars friend, "why aren't their light sabers blue and red?" He said, "I don't know, that IS odd." Then he said "wait hold on a second." He turns the book over and there is a piece of tape on the back of the book. He pulls the tape off, turns the book over and we open to the last page again and pop up Luke and Darth. And BEHOLD! Their sabers GLOWED! GLOWED! Awesome.
So tons of popups, popups within popups and glowing light-sabers!? This is a must have for any hardcore Star Wars fan.
Book Review: AMAZING
Summary: 5 Stars
AMAZING...AMAZING...AMAZING...AMAZING!!! This is by far the most creative POP-UP book related to Star Wars ever published. Matthew Reinharrt equals his genius partner Robert Sabuda in developing the STAR WAR SAGA in 3D. The only question I have is why this masterpiece is so reasonably priced. My personal opinion is people are not yet aware this book in the Star Wars Galaxy of Books has not come to earth yet.
DO NOT PURCHASE THIS WONDERFUL WORK OF ART IF IT IS USED. The detail of this book in all of its glory must be taken care of. If you are thinking about seeing Matthew's wonderful work make sure you examine a sample copy, and before purchasing it open every page to make sure it is in perfect condition. Above all keep it in plastic and take it out only for your enjoyment and the galaxy of friends you want to share it with. This is the type of book that should only be handled by the owner. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO THUMB THROUGH THE PAGES. This may seem crazy; however, I wear white lint free gloves when handling this masterpiece. This book is easily three inches or more in thickness and if not handled with respect, the pop-up portions can easily be bent or worse. Matthew Reinhart created a work of love, and as a consumer one should treat it as such.
This book will disappear in two or three years. Get it NOW at a price anyone can afford.
I LOVE THIS BOOK MORE THAN ANY OTHER STAR WAR'S BOOK EVER PUBLISHED. It truly is an amazing work for all to enjoy.
Steve Horwitz
Book Review: Yeah, it's THAT cool...kids and adults love it.
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this book over a year ago for my husband and two young sons (3 and 6), who are all die-hard Star Wars fans. One word about this book: AMAZING. There are tons of intricate pop-ups on every page with informative and detailed character, historical, and location descriptions. You'll be shocked at the level of pop-up detail....and the working light sabres and Darth Vader mask (with SW's ROTJ "Anakin" face underneath) will delight every reader. Even my mother, who is NOT a Star Wars fan, is amazed at the intricate detail and enjoys reading it with the boys. I've given this as a gift to my friends who are Star War fans and they use it as conversational coffee table books. Yeah, it's THAT cool...
Please keep in mind this is a "shelf book" if you have kids under the age of 11, meaning it stays on the bookshelf, read/looked-at with an adult, and then put back on the shelf. This is the kind of book that will break your heart if torn or ripped accidently (or worse, on purpose). After a year, my boys still look through this book 2-3 times a week. It has taught them to enjoy and respect books, which is an invaluable lesson....
Note: The quality is so good I recommend checking out other Matt Reinhart pop-up books...