Joseph Campbell - Religion, Mythology
An important work whose influence on the Star Wars saga is somewhat legendary. It's actually quite hard-going as Campbell attempts to tie disparate religious beliefs into a cohesive whole, but often only manages a joycian stream of consciousness which is hard to follow. That said, it's a fascinating look at the hero myth throughout history and definitely worth reading. I understand that a derivitive work, The Writer's Journey, is a better reference for writers. Recommended