It’s finally here!
In May 2017, when I released A Saga on Home Video in its 1st Edition, I was four years deep into my YouTube series, From the Star Wars Home Video Library, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well-received the work was by the collecting community. Only a few things tended to drive criticism:
- Why was it in grayscale instead of color? We’d be willing to pay more for color!
- Why only paperback instead of Kindle or hardback?
- What about releases after Rogue One in 2017? The saga will continue to grow, so will the book somehow return someday?
Well, now A Saga on Home Video has returned in its 2nd Edition and has addressed all of those few concerns about the original version.
For those who don’t know, A Saga on Home Video is a narrative history of Star Wars on home video in the United States, though it also veers off frequently into various foreign releases when they are rather interesting or, more importantly, provide a useful contrast to the American market.
The original version of ASOHV was a single volume that was about 300 pages. It contained 300+ grayscale photographs (instead of color, so that costs could be kept down for that first attempt to see if such a guide would even have an audience). That version is now out of circulation, and the new 2021 edition has grown by leaps and bounds beyond its predecessor. The 2nd Edition now spans three volumes that total around 1,000 pages and 1,500+ color photographs. All photos are of items in my own personal, extensive Star Wars home video library (no stock photos).
So what’s in each volume?
Vol. 1 and 2 each focus on the live action, theatrical films. Vol. 1 starts with the earliest home viewing options (e.g. Super 8 reels) in 1977 and continues through the Blu-ray reissues and digital launch of Episodes I – VI in 2015. Vol. 2 then picks up with the “Disney era,” beginning with the home video launch of The Force Awakens in 2016 and continuing through the most recent releases at the time of publication in Nov. 2021.
Vol. 3 covers everything else. It begins with coverage of the non-parody, fictional television series (Droids, Ewoks, the Ewok telemovies, Clone Wars, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Resistance), then continues in that vein somewhat by addressing Disney+ (though not strictly limited to non-parody, fictional material for that chapter). It transitions from there into the parodic content of the LEGO Star Wars material before moving into behind-the-scenes programs, followed by oddball items that just don’t fit anywhere else. A final main chapter with tips for collectors and new afterword wrap up the volume (and series).
You can find more information about A Saga on Home Video here.