Review

Much like the “Star Wars” movies, this book starts off pretty strong then devolves into a relatively uninteresting diatribe on religion, philosophy, and myth. And I suppose it’s not entirely the author’s fault, as there’s not nearly as much to work with in the prequels (especially in trying to equate the stories and themes with Christianity and Jesus). What seems clear is that he should’ve stuck with the original trilogy, and expounded more on some of the minutiae within these seminal films. I’ve always believed that one of the reasons that “Star Wars” originally moved such a broad swath of the population was its almost universal tale of good vs. evil. It’s almost a blueprint for storytelling, which makes sense as it’s almost entirely based on Joseph Campbell’s theories regarding the Hero’s Journey; which are clearly evident (and even integral) in and to the story of Christ. Grimes’ leanings are obviously Christian, but he has a fair knowledge of Eastern religion, and in many ways this helps support his ideas. “The Force,” after all, is much more in line with Eastern teachings than it is with mainstream Christianity (not that “mainstream” Christianity has a corner on the “Truth” market). Unless you’re a hardcore “Star Wars” nut (which I am), you’re not likely to find much INSPIRATION here, but at least half of this book is worth reading for the insights alone — a solid 8. The other half is, well… more like a 2 or 3. In addition to books and movies, I’m also a fan of math, and those two halves combine to result in a big, fat FIVE! May the Force be with us…