Certainly the new edition contains essentially the same text as the original, but it also includes an additional chapter about Jedi Culture (The Jedi Order, the Lightsaber, and the Force), as well as expanded consideration of both Episodes II and III, which were not released at the time Shimmering Sword was written. But here are 3 reasons why someone might buy Shimmering Sword before the new book is released.
1) Personal Perspective. McFarland Publishing wanted a more neutral tone and an emphasis on an academic presentation. While researched as an academic work, Shimmering Sword was written for a general audience, serving more as a primer for historical swordplay. It was also intended to give anecdotal experience from my background in aikido and kendo. So, for those who already practice a martial art, the recounting of personal experiences in a first-person perspective lends the text a familiarity, and credibility, to which the reader can easily relate. One example is a passage where I describe the first time I wore kendo armor at Kyumeikan Dojo which I likened to a knight receiving his knighthood.
2) Historical Perspective. For those who are looking for a direct historical perspective on the Star Wars saga, Shimmering Sword is a publication which locks in place the experience of a Star Wars fan just prior to the release of Episode II: Attack of the Clones. George Lucas is famous for his tendency to revise his work, not only in the movies of the Star Wars saga, but also in his recollection of the creative process. A key section of the book is the Afterword, which contains a list of ideas I hoped to see in the final film. While it strikes one as a bit dated today, it does serve to show what was and was not known about the last two episodes in the year 2002. Having this edition also permits a literary comparison between the new and old texts. In one sense, Shimmering Sword can be seen as a first draft permitting insight on me as an author and insight on the topic itself.
3) Support of the Author. Have you ever been at a party where some one asks a doctor for a diagnosis of some medical problem? Well, basically, they’re asking for professional advice for free. The last person you want freeload off of is a person you respect. If the person is a professional, then they deserve your patronage, which means financial support. If a person is in a play, you buy tickets for their show. If they’re a member of a band, you buy their CD. If they’re a writer, you buy their book. The worst thing you can do is to ask for a free ticket or a free book. It tells the producers that there is no market for the product, or that it’s a product no one is willing to pay for. Even the library system is set up so that the author receives a royalty for at least one copy of their book before it is again loaned out to other people. The bottom line is that professionals do not make a living on the well-intentioned support of others. Money represents the value of time and effort, so a professional requires that support be expressed monetarily. On occasion, you will find an artist (or a doctor) is happy to offer a free copy or a free ticket. Would that every artist were able to do so.
At this point, almost 6 months away from the release, with only about 50 copies left of the original 1,500 print run, I’m willing to make a deal with you for simply reading this section of my website. If you want a copy of the Shimmering Sword before the new book is released, I’ll give you a discount of 50% off the $20.00 cover price. You pay for priority shipping – $4.60. At a price of $14.60, which is still cheaper than purchasing the book on Amazon.com where you pay retail price and a shipping fee. It’s a great buy compared to the price of the new McFarland book – $35.00. I’ll even sign it or dedicate it to someone.
Click on the "Contact Me" tab to get my e-mail. Send me the pertinent information, and I’ll get a book out to you as soon as I get a check in the mail. This offer is good while supplies last.
(A note to those outside of the US: Unfortunately I cannot make this offer because of the difficulty and cost of accepting payment in non-US currencies. You’ll have to wait until the new book is published. McFarland Publishing assures me that they have distribution contacts around the world.)
