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.