Opening that first Darth Vader figure and putting him in a Landspeeder. Imagining a snowy elementary school playground as the wastes of Hoth. Seeing Return of the Jedi on opening night. Moments like these - and a galaxy more - make up three decades of "Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek." John takes the reader from a childhood packed with Star Wars guys (never "action figures") and Christmas wishes both fulfilled and unrealized, through the years when the trilogy lay dormant to the mainstream public's eye, and into an age of seeing George Lucas' universe as an adult while exploring it again as a parent. Gracefully laying bare both the good and not-so-good times, this collection, with its origins as a series on his web site, FieldsEdge.com, is a love letter from a self-aware geek written under the sometimes harsh light of hindsight, softened with understanding. It captures the innocence and wonder and infinite possibilities of what it meant to an eight-year-old to Collect All 21!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Troy L
Format:Paperback
For anybody who was a kid growing up during the late 70's and early 80's, this is a must read book. Mr. Booth captures the essence of nostalgia perfectly for the era. There isn't one person out there from this generation who couldn't identify with the stories told in this book. It's amazing how much John recalls about his childhood. Over the years, I'd forgotten so much from my youth...until I read 'Collect All 21!' and it dislodged those memories free from wherever they were tucked away in my mind. Reading John's tales will even make you laugh out loud. And some will make you sad. Together with his undying passion for Star Wars, this book is a great dose of "remember when..."!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Booth has created a quick read about what it was like to be a kid growing up with the release of the original Star Wars and what it is like now to continue to be an adult fan. He places us in his often personal and heartfelt situations and unleashes one's own feelings back to the saga. This is a great book for any fan of the films and a welcome edition to my Star Wars home library.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is like a time machine. It tells the part that Star Wars, and the merchandise it brought into the world, played in the life of a young boy. The memories he has of that period in his life are brought back to life and told in detail. His childhood friends, the local movie theatre, the toy stores, ... - they are all there, and at times it's like the reader is there with him. 'Collect All 21' brougt me back to that period in my life as well, as I'm sure it could do with many other '30-something' people out there ... this is the story of how it was to be a kid in the late seventies / early eighties and how it felt to be sucked into the world that George Lucas created : the world of Star Wars. Honestly, and I speak out of experience, it felt great, and it still does but on another level. That period in time was just magic!
By yoohootom
Format:Paperback
Whenever you see a little plastic toy R2D2 do you smile, I do. In 1977 I was 10yrs old. That year I saw a movie that changed my life and ensured that I would be a geek for the rest of my life.
This book is about that genesis and that lasting passion, one that I share with the Author. If you like to smile, buy this book.
This book is about that genesis and that lasting passion, one that I share with the Author. If you like to smile, buy this book.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Saturday, May 28, 1977. A random, insignificant date and one long-forgotten to the sands-of-Tatooine to almost everyone - everyone, that is, except me. For it was on this day - and that morning in particular - that my life would be forever-altered by a movie which was in it's nascent stage of taking the world by storm: STAR WARS.
My dad was the innocent accelerant for my obsessive and near-fanatical fascination for all-things STAR WARS. The exact circumstances which led him to making the fateful decision to load both myself and my little sister into the family car that morning for the drive to Hollywood for a matinee screening of STAR WARS at Graumann's Chinese Theater I'll never know.
But I'm glad that he did.
I wish I could recall if I was giddy with excitment or anticipation as we took our seats, but truth be told, up to this point, I'm not sure that even I was aware of what STAR WARS was exactly.
As the house-lights dimmed and the explosion that was John William's iconic score reverberated with stunning authority throughout the cavernous Chinese, I was blown-back into my seat and unprepared for what was to follow. When the opening text-crawl faded away into the blackness of space and the camera panned-down to reveal a mysterious planet-scape, the theatre was rocked by war - as laser-blasts and cannon-fire engulfed the screen. My senses were overflowing with unabashed glee as the Rebel Blockade Runner flashed onto the scene in it's desperate, futile attempt at evading the dreaded Imperial Star Destoyer which was in dogged-pursuit. The immense, indescribable size of the jewel-of-the-Imperial fleet swallowed the screen, dwarfed the rebel ship and emboldened the audience to erupt into instantaneous, rapturous applause.... Read more ›
My dad was the innocent accelerant for my obsessive and near-fanatical fascination for all-things STAR WARS. The exact circumstances which led him to making the fateful decision to load both myself and my little sister into the family car that morning for the drive to Hollywood for a matinee screening of STAR WARS at Graumann's Chinese Theater I'll never know.
But I'm glad that he did.
I wish I could recall if I was giddy with excitment or anticipation as we took our seats, but truth be told, up to this point, I'm not sure that even I was aware of what STAR WARS was exactly.
As the house-lights dimmed and the explosion that was John William's iconic score reverberated with stunning authority throughout the cavernous Chinese, I was blown-back into my seat and unprepared for what was to follow. When the opening text-crawl faded away into the blackness of space and the camera panned-down to reveal a mysterious planet-scape, the theatre was rocked by war - as laser-blasts and cannon-fire engulfed the screen. My senses were overflowing with unabashed glee as the Rebel Blockade Runner flashed onto the scene in it's desperate, futile attempt at evading the dreaded Imperial Star Destoyer which was in dogged-pursuit. The immense, indescribable size of the jewel-of-the-Imperial fleet swallowed the screen, dwarfed the rebel ship and emboldened the audience to erupt into instantaneous, rapturous applause.... Read more ›
By M.Worrell
Format:Paperback
Star Wars figures were always referred to as "Star Wars guys", never "Star Wars figures". I had forgotten.
This book is full of reminders like that, and for those of us who remember the mind-blowing amazement of unwrapping a mammoth AT-AT box at Christmas, or not realizing that Return of the Jedi sucked when you walked out of the theater because you had so much fun, it's a really fun book. It's well worth reading for that reason (plus you can knock it out in no time, so why not?).
Why 3 stars? Because it's just not a good book, nostalgia aside. It kind of reads like the notes for an actual book. I grew up near the author's hometown, so I even knew many of the locations he referenced. But if I hadn't? Regardless, if you grew up on Star Wars, go for it.
This book is full of reminders like that, and for those of us who remember the mind-blowing amazement of unwrapping a mammoth AT-AT box at Christmas, or not realizing that Return of the Jedi sucked when you walked out of the theater because you had so much fun, it's a really fun book. It's well worth reading for that reason (plus you can knock it out in no time, so why not?).
Why 3 stars? Because it's just not a good book, nostalgia aside. It kind of reads like the notes for an actual book. I grew up near the author's hometown, so I even knew many of the locations he referenced. But if I hadn't? Regardless, if you grew up on Star Wars, go for it.
By David Carr
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I did enjoy John's book. It was a pretty good balance or Star Wars regalia with a good does of John's personal life. It makes me want to do the same thing and write down my memories - good stuff. I think this book would be a good read for anyone who has really grown up with Star Wars, in particular the 30-40 something of today (I am 35). John really hit Star Wars in prime time.
It would have been great to see more photos of his memories - the front and back covers are great. Also the book is a little odd in size, so it is a little harder to read in bed at night. ;) That is a minor complaint. Overall I enjoyed the book and think any Star Wars fan around the same time as John and I will certainly have fun reminiscing while reading this book.
It would have been great to see more photos of his memories - the front and back covers are great. Also the book is a little odd in size, so it is a little harder to read in bed at night. ;) That is a minor complaint. Overall I enjoyed the book and think any Star Wars fan around the same time as John and I will certainly have fun reminiscing while reading this book.
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