Stealing Indiana Jones

Essays, Book 9

By: J Washburn

Narrated by: J Washburn

In 1990, a six year old boy stole something from his neighbors.

A small book.

The ultimate Indiana Jones treasure—a grail diary.

It promised everlasting life, but because it was stolen, the little boy didn’t dare tell his older brother—his mentor—what he’d done.

In 2020, 30 years later, that older brother passed away.

Stealing Indiana Jones is the true story of these two boys and how they discover a monstrous secret: that George Lucas stole his ideas for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. As they struggle to make sense of what this horrifying truth means for all of us fans, they find redemption along the way. Their story explores inspiration and how great stories come to life. It examines, without shying away, disillusionment and innocence doomed to die. Their story is a salute to the loss of childhood and to the loss of life.

Stealing Indiana Jones is a a glimpse of boyhood and fandom through the 90s, filled with both heartbreak and heroism.

Most importantly, it is a quest to uncover the secret behind all great stories—the secret of immortality.

©2023 Lost Boys Ink (P)2023 Lost Boys Ink

Introspective

Very interesting to listen to the writers experience of losing his brother and their childhood together.

It was so interesting hearing him compare where writers get their inspiration. Very informative.

Magic & memoir

J effortlessly mixes memoir with insightful commentary on the stories we love, why we love them and how they shape and give meaning to life and death. I appreciate his ability to leave room for mystery and the idea that exploring questions and letting go of the need for certainty and formulas opens new doors of meaning and fulfillment.

Listening Was a Joy

The story blends deep emotion, compelling thoughts, and fun facts, into a genuinely fun and engaging listen.

Due to the personal nature of the story it only makes sense that Washburn himself would narrate - and he delivers.

Highly recommend.

Candid tribute to George Lucas's greatest works!

This is a really heart-warming memoire! It's about Indiana Jones fans and Star Wars and how stories come to life. Basically every story was inspired by a story that came before it. It's a super interesting perspective with a lot of citations and examples. But it's also a really human story about a big brother who passed away. Loved it!

A good man’s reflections on life and death and the immortality a namesake seeks

I say this as a guy who considers the author a dear friend, so I acknowledge that bias, but it also makes me an expert of sorts on the author. His book Song of Locke helped me navigate the depths of an existential crisis. He’s such a good man, and I’m so grateful he is pouring his soul into words so others can experience his love of and search for Light.

My take:
An original story and meditation on the way stories come to life by stealing, borrowing, and paying tribute to others. A meaningful reflection on what it means to be part of a chain of generations — much like the great stories are. A personal thread makes things compelling while research on stories like Indiana Jones and Star Wars offers new angles and insights into art and life. The story/meditation is a complex tapestry that weaves many strands of stories together, but it is remarkably organic. Not all of the adventure of this story feels equally intense, but it never loses sight of the things it loves which are calling it into being. Parts of it are likely to live in you after you’ve read it.

Thoughts on media and mortality

I really enjoyed this book. The author himself narrates it, and I think that really adds a lot of depth to the emotions to his ideas. I also really enjoy his break down of how the best stories are all remixes. I am about the same age, so my interest in star wars and Indiana Jones matches his. Perhaps my favorite idea from the essay is the urge/push to not betray neverland, and the kid J/dad J two people inside also really resonates with me. Great thoughts, and a good listen.

Thought provoking and enlightening

Loved this! I enjoyed hearing about the origins and inspiration for some of the biggest stories of our time, mixed with the personal memoir of the author and his experiences in dealing with uncertainty and death. I found it enlightening and made me feel better about potentially writing a story one day that is inspired by the things that inspire me. I also appreciated insights into dealing with the death of loved ones as it's something I frequently think about and we all must at some point face.

Emotional and Intellectual

Intriguing takes on literature and film with an emotional back story. Not the read you’re looking for if you’re just after a good story. It is the read you’re looking for if you want to learn more about art and yourself.