How to Read Christian Blauvelt's Books
Christian Blauvelt's bibliography is divided into distinct categories: whimsical Star Wars self-help and survival guides, introductory manuals to the galaxy far, far away, and visual film histories. Because his books are illustrated reference works, guides, and non-fiction rather than narrative novels, there is no single overarching storyline or timeline connecting them. Instead, you should choose your starting point based on your interests.
Path 1: The Galactic Self-Help Guide (Star Wars: Be More Series)
If you want tongue-in-cheek lifestyle and career advice framed through the lens of classic Star Wars archetypes, start with the Star Wars: Be More series. Published by DK, these compact, highly illustrated books offer mindfulness tips, leadership strategies, and motivational humor based on iconic characters. You do not need to read them in a specific order, though starting with the contrasting philosophies of Yoda and Darth Vader is highly recommended.
Path 2: The Star Wars Beginner's Path
If you are new to the franchise or looking for a lighthearted way to introduce someone else to the lore, start with Star Wars Made Easy. Follow this up with the survival guide, How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks, and then progress to the Jedi-themed manual, Use the Force!.
Path 3: The Cinephile & Film Historian Path
For fans of classic cinema and film history, skip the sci-fi guides and dive straight into Blauvelt's collaboration with Turner Classic Movies (TCM), starting with Cinematic Cities: New York, followed by the comprehensive WWII history, Hollywood Victory.
Publication Order of the 'Star Wars: Be More' Books
These books can be read in any order depending on which character's philosophy you want to explore. They are best enjoyed as standalone, bite-sized books of humor and advice:
- Be More Vader: Assertive Thinking from the Dark Side (2018) – A humorous guide to corporate ladder-climbing, leadership, and assertive communication using Darth Vader's infamous management style.
- Be More Yoda: Mindful Thinking from a Galaxy Far Far Away (2018) – The counterpart to Vader's guide, focusing on mindfulness, work-life balance, and finding inner peace.
- Be More Leia: Find Your Rebel Voice And Fight The System (2019) – Activism and leadership tips inspired by Princess Leia's fight against the Empire.
- Be More Lando: How to Get What You Want...and Look Good Doing It (2019) – Witty advice on charisma, networking, fashion, and negotiations.
- Star Wars Be More Boba Fett (2021) – Survival tactics, self-reliance, and getting the job done like the galaxy's most famous bounty hunter.
- Star Wars Be More Obi-Wan: Navigate Your World with Wit and Wisdom (2022) – Finding mentorship, practicing patience, and keeping a cool head under pressure.
Publication Order of Non-Fiction & Star Wars Guides
Blauvelt's other reference works, trivia books, and cinematic guides are listed below in order of their release:
- Star Wars Made Easy: A Beginner's Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away (2017) – An accessible, highly visual primer designed to catch non-fans up on the characters, plots, and themes of the first seven films.
- Star Wars: How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks and Other Galactic Survival Skills (2019) – A humorous safety manual outlining how to survive hazards across the galaxy, from wild creatures to active battles.
- Cinematic Cities: New York: The Big Apple on the Big Screen (2019) – A neighborhood-by-neighborhood travel guide highlighting classic filming locations and trivia for movie buffs.
- Star Wars: Use the Force!: Discover What it Takes To Be a Jedi (2020) – An educational, visual guide aimed at younger readers exploring the Jedi path and philosophy.
- Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II (2021) – A detailed, photo-rich history of how the American film industry mobilized to support the Allied war effort, co-written with Dr. Robert M. Citino.
Other Collaborations & Anthologies
In addition to his solo writing, Blauvelt served as a co-author on the following television curation guide:
- What to Watch When: 1,000 TV Shows for Every Mood and Moment (2020) – A recommendation directory that categorizes television series by emotional state and viewing context rather than simple genre.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, keep these practical reading tips in mind:
- Fully Standalone: Every single book by Christian Blauvelt is designed as a standalone work. There are no direct cliffhangers, ongoing plots, or character arcs that connect them, meaning you can buy whichever book catches your eye.
- The DK Signature Style: Most of Blauvelt's Star Wars books are published by DK (Dorling Kindersley). This means they rely heavily on official movie stills, infographics, and clean, modular graphic layouts. They are designed as much for browsing and casual reading as they are for cover-to-cover consumption.
- TCM Partnership: Cinematic Cities: New York was published in partnership with Turner Classic Movies (TCM), making it a great companion piece for classic movie fans who watch the channel.