A review by lily47270
Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall

dark informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This is written like a university history textbook, and it reads like one (as someone currently in my third year of a bachelor's degree in history I've read plenty of those lol).
Like history textbooks, it can be really interesting but also really repetitive at times, which gets a bit annoying (especially when you already know the events), but overall I really loved the analysis it did of the events (mostly about the ruse and the fall of the Empire, and the role civilians played in it).

Some of my favorite quotes :

"There has long been a divide and debate among historians regarding dating conventions"
This is so real 💀😂
I swear out teachers never agree


"When the Galactic Civil War came it split families in half. There were those who gravitated to the Rebel Alliance because they could not tolerate the injustices of the Empire and the way it casually and callously took the lives of its own citizens and opponents. But there were also those who stayed behind. Those who enjoyed the Imperial way of life. Who were happy to sacrifice some seemingly theoretical liberties if it meant they could live in comfort and security."
This. THIS
Exactly why France surrendered at the beginning of WW2. 99% of the popular had lost at least one person in the previous war, so they would rather be conquered and blame the Jewish for all their misery than loose more people


"Over time there would come to be splits within some civilian families. Much of it could be generational, with older members who had lived through the previous conflict keen to maintain what seemed to be a peaceful life, while younger members balked at the reality of the society they existed within."
This !
This is why after conflicts such as WW1 & WW2, or the Algerian indepence war, it took a generation for it to be more freely talked about and to question the involvement  and crimes of France and other governments.


"I can only wonder at how many children or grandchildren were discouraged from asking their elders about what they did in the Galactic Civil War because the truthful answer would outline how they had stayed at home, consented, and collaborated."
This is so real.
Never ask your great-grandparentd what they did during WW2


"How can we stop the Empire from continually haunting our galaxy when the ghosts of its acceptance exist in our own homes, our own families, and refuse to stay buried?
"

"True freedom and liberation can only exist for all of us when none are left behind"
💯