Politics, craft, and cultural nostalgia in the remaking of Star Wars for a new age A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away—way back in the twenty-first century’s first decade—Star Wars seemed finished. Then in 2012 George Lucas shocked the entertainment world by selling the franchise, along with Lucasfilm, to Disney. This is the story of how, over the next five years, Star Wars went from near-certain extinction to what Wired magazine would call “the forever franchise,� with more films in the works than its first four decades had produced.  Focusing on The Force Awakens (2015), Rogue One (2016), The Last Jedi (2017), and the television series Rebels (2014–18), Dan Golding explores the significance of pop culture nostalgia in overcoming the skepticism, if not downright hostility, that greeted the Star Wars relaunch. At the same time he shows how Disney, even as it tapped a backward-looking obsession, was nonetheless creating genuinely new and contemporary entries in the Star Wars universe. A host of cultural factors and forces propelled the Disney-engineered Star Wars renaissance, and all figure in Golding’s deeply informed analysis: from John Williams’s music in The Force Awakens to Peter Cushing’s CGI face in Rogue One, to Carrie Fisher’s passing, to the rapidly changing audience demographic. Star Wars after Lucas delves into the various responses and political uses of the new Star Wars in a wider context, as in reaction videos on YouTube and hate-filled, misogynistic online rants. In its granular textual readings, broad cultural scope, and insights into the complexities of the multimedia galaxy, this book is as entertaining as it is enlightening, an apt reflection of the enduring power of the Star Wars franchise.

Are you thinking about getting into triathlon or doing your first race? Have you finished a couple of races and are keen to improve your time?

Do you find the whole sport daunting and confusing? Are you a little intimidated by everybody else who looks like they know what they are doing?

This easy to understand and insightful book is packed with practical ways you can improve and it will help you:

Understand the sport of triathlon "what is triathlon and how does it work?"

Develop a training plan together that simplifies your season

Train effectively so you minimise the risk of getting injured

Stop you making the mistakes which cost a lot of time and money

Make you feel confident when you are on the start line

Decide what race length is best for you from sprint to Ironman

Buy the right triathlon kit to suit your ability and your aspirations

A personal note from the author:

"This book is gathered from years of training and racing but not only from my triathlon experience but from the experience of champions. I have trained with and raced with elite athletes and winners from all over the world but I started not knowing what I was doing and was scared to death when I did my first race. I wish I had this book when I started out. I would have saved myself a lot of heart ache and stress I wrote this to help all triathlon rookies get over their nerves and enjoy this fantastic sport."

"Triathlon for beginners" is the start to finish complete guide which covers all the areas of training and racing including:

Where to start - types of races, what you need to know and where to begin

Jargon buster - helping you understand the terms of the sport so you can understand what people are talking about when they say "T1" or "Brick"

Training rules and techniques

Swimming technique and etiquette

Running technique and how to prevent injury and run faster

Cycling in a pack what to do and what not to do

Transition - how to lay it out, what to bring and how to be effective

Understanding nutrition and why it is key, how best to manage your nutrition and what is best to eat for triathlon training and racing

Race day - what to look out for, how to prepare and what to expect

This guide takes you from start to finish so you can feel confident and comfortable when you train and race.

Here are some of the comments we have had from readers...

I loved this book

I have completed a few triathlons- sprint and Olympic distance. This book really simplified what is important to focus on. There is so much to know and learn that sometimes you feel overwhelmed. It is an easy, entertaining read but packed with good knowledge that made a big difference to my racing.

Charlotte Campbell, World Games triathlon gold medallist

I wish this was around before

I did a number of Triathlons over the last few years. When I first took it up I had to ask people's advice which at best was disjointed and worst, confusing. I also read some very good stuff on the internet, however this was also disjointed and incomplete. This book would have been ideal, as it puts it all together clearly and concisely.

Liam Harrington; sprint triathlete