How the Force Can Fix the World, Stephen Kent
How the Force Can Fix the World, Stephen Kent
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

How the Force Can Fix the World
Lessons on Life, Liberty, and Happiness from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Author: Stephen Kent

Narrator: Stephen Kent

Unabridged: 6 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Center Street

Published: 11/09/2021


Synopsis

From widespread unemployment and mounting international hostilities, every day we are swept into more political chaos—so one brave man looks to the Star Wars universe for answers to our most urgent problems.

“You can’t stop the change — anymore than you can stop the sun from setting.” Anakin Skywalker was never able to live with this wisdom shared by his mother on the day he left home to train as a Jedi Knight. That failure led him to becoming the fearsome villain we all know as Darth Vader. 
 
We’re living in a time of unprecedented and rapid change. An age of chaos. Democracies are in decline worldwide. Dictators are ascendant. Civic organizations are crumbling. People feel lonelier and more rudderless than in any other time in recent history. We’ve tried to slow down, and in some cases we, like Anakin, have tried stop the change, but failed at every turn. The fears that come with living in an age of disruption have produced public anger, and that anger has swelled movements of hate. 
 
Author Stephen Kent believes part of the solution is hiding in plain sight. A story that binds together multiple generations with a common language, a moral framework, and a sense of wonder. It’s Star Wars. 
 
What if we looked to Star Wars for more than just entertainment? How the Force Can Fix the World takes this challenge on by analyzing the core principles of the Star Wars franchise: HOPE, CHOICE, HUMILITY, EMPATHY, REDEMPTION, BALANCE and rejecting FEAR. Together, these are the Star Wars roadmap for living better lives, and maybe even fostering a better politics.
 
The path that we’re on — where fear leads to anger, and anger to hatred — will only end in suffering. But Star Wars shows us the way back from the brink. Shared stories of virtue that are beloved across cultures and political divides are hard to come by, but Star Wars is one such story. Turn on the news; things are pretty broken right now — but the Force can fix the world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Meg on October 28, 2021

Many fans of a galaxy far, far away use Star Wars as an escape from reality - as all have every right to do. But the more you peel back the layers of the franchise’s story, the more difficult it becomes to separate the fictional world’s themes and ideas from our own very real lives. How the Force Can......more

Goodreads review by Andrew on October 25, 2021

As a longtime Star Wars fan, I would have wagered a considerably large amount of money that no sociopolitical commentary could change the way that I view my favorite films. Thankfully, I didn't. Had I made that wager, I would have found myself much poorer after reading Stephen Kent's How The Force C......more

Goodreads review by Lydia on October 11, 2021

Who teaches us loyalty better than Chewy? The way Luke fought Darth Vader with bravery and mercy is a model for standing up to the opposition without viewing or treating them as inhuman. Surprise! We can learn from fiction without it being preachy (and enjoy it too!). This book is a guide for how St......more

Goodreads review by Natalie on November 16, 2021

Star Wars can be much more than an escape from reality and the author demonstrates how Star Wars can really educate us on what's happening in our every day lives. Kudos!......more

Goodreads review by Peter on November 11, 2021

[URL not allowed] In a world with pandemics, violent riots, contentions at a global scale, and a personal Dunkirk in every home, there may still be hope and unity found in the least expected places. We may no longer share the basic building blocks of a healthy society, but we s......more


Quotes

"My friend Stephen Kent has written a definitive analysis of how the virtues of Star Wars transcend political differences and can help us live better lives. In a time where belief in redemption, empathy, and even hope is borderline rebellious, this book is a real force for good — go get this book!"
 —Glenn Beck, host of The Glenn Beck Show and founder of TheBlaze

"With so much division and frustration these days, we could all use a book that helps us see a brighter path ahead. Stephen Kent beautifully weaves together threads from the beloved Star Wars franchise to show us how we can each be a hero--by being more humble, more optimistic, and more brave."—Kristen Soltis Anderson, Columnist for the Washington Examiner, Host of SiriusXM's "The Trendline,” Pollster and Founding Partner of Echelon Insights

“From Naboo to New York, Stephen Kent engagingly weaves the themes, principles, and lessons from our favorite galaxy far, far away into the current events and crises happening right in front of us, demonstrating step-by-step how Star Wars might just teach us all to be better humans."—Clayton Sandell, Broadcast Journalist, Producer of ABC News’ “The Force of Sound: Creating sounds in a galaxy far, far away”

“Our politics have taken a sharp detour around our shared humanity. There’s division, unkindness, and profound confusion surrounding how we relate to one another, especially those with whom we disagree. We need a guide to lead us back to one another. And as Mr. Kent ably demonstrates in this book, Star Wars can be that guide.”—Betsy Hodges, 47th Mayor of Minneapolis