Penn College faculty member connects history, 'Star Wars'
William J. Astore, professor of history at Pennsylvania College of Technology, wrote the lead chapter in "Star Wars and History," a book approved by the saga's creator, George Lucas.
Astore's essay, "Why Rebels Triumph: How 'Insignificant' Rebellions Can Change History," opens the book.
The epic stories of "Star Wars" are based on our own history, from Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire to the French Revolution and the Vietnam War. The book comprises 11 essays written by history scholars in close collaboration with Lucas and Lucasfilm.
The book, edited by Nancy Reagin and Janice Liedl, was published in 2012 by Wiley.
Astore joined the Penn College faculty in 2005. He holds a doctorate in modern history from the University of Oxford, a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor's degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
His books and articles focus on the history of science, religion and technology, often with a military emphasis.
For more about Penn College, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call 800-367-9222.
West Branch School to host open house
West Branch School is hosting a series of open houses continuing this week. The public is invited to tour the school and to talk to parents, teachers, and students.
The dates for open house events are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 and 9 a.m. to noon April 17. Registration is not necessary for any of the open house dates.
West Branch School, 755 Moore Ave., is a private, state-licensed, non-sectarian school serving grades K through 6.
The school maintains a low student/teacher ratio to ensure success in academic, social and emotional development.
High standards, multiple and varied settings and parental involvement are hallmarks of a West Branch education.
West Branch School is the school "where children love to learn".
For more information about the school, contact call 323-5498 or email info@westbranchschool.org.
