Star Wars: Jedi Vs Sith Essential Guide to the Force
Author: Ryder Wyndam
Released: 1 Feb 2008

The Ultimate Guide to the Absolute Power at the Heart of the Star Wars Galaxy.

The Force, in the immortal words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, “surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.” The fortunate few who are able to tap into this extraordinary power have studied and cultivated the full spectrum of its potential either embracing its virtuous qualities or succumbing to its evil temptations. The Jedi seek to bring peace and englightenment to the galaxy, while the Sith hunger only for conquest and control.

This comprehensive one-of-a-kind overview chronicles the known history of the Force and its wielders down through the ages, from the founding tenents of Jedi and Sith teachings to the landmark events and legendary figures that have shaped the struggle between the light and dark sides. In firsthand accounts by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, Darth Bane, Darth Vader, Count Dooku, Emperor Palpatine, and a host of other Jedi Masters and Sith Lords.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Alien Species
Author: Ann Margaret Lewis, Helen Keier, Chris Trevas
Released: 31 Oct 2006

When it comes to extraterrestrial life-forms, there’s more to science fiction’s most famous galaxy than just Jawas, Wookiees, Ewoks and Hutts. From the skylanes of Coruscant to the worlds of the Outer Rim, an untold number of species populate those planets far, far away. And if you confuse Gungans with Gamorreans, or don’t know a bantha from a tauntaun, you’ll definitely need the in-depth data that only this revised, expanded and updated guide can deliver.

This comprehensive overview includes beings from all six of the classic movies – plus the novels, cartoon series, comics and video games. It’s an even bigger cross section of species that you’ll find in the Mos Eisley cantina. And each entry, from Acklay to Zabrak, from amphibians to vacuumbreathers, features everything you need to know.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Droids
Author: Daniel Wallace
Released: 27 Jun 2006

The New Essential Guide to Droids covers all the new droids from the new trilogy and New Jedi Order Books. The Computer graphic illustrations give it a newer, finer more futureistic feel and gives a sense of realism to the droids. All the information you could want is there with the book describing all the droid manufacturing companies, giving a brief history of droids and giving you individual descriptions of each one.

The entries of the Droids are interesting and add information to the already existing background.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: The New Essential Chronology
Author: Mark Chiarello, Tommy Lee Edwards, John Van Fleet
Released: 25 Oct 2005

The Star Wars The New Essential Chronology provides a broad history of the Star Wars saga, from pre-Republic history to after the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, drawing upon both well-known and obscure sources. This edition is updated for the prequel trilogy and the New Jedi Order.

The artwork for this installment differs from the usual for the New Essential Guides and has more in common with the artwork found in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game sourcebooks published by Wizards of the Coast. There are great pieces covering scenes from books and events all across the Star Wars timeline that are really impressive. This Essential guide is a good edition to the series and is something that if you enjoy the Star Wars books and comics is a must buy for all the additional information it includes.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
Author: W Haden Blackman
Released: 4 Oct 2004

The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology features an in-depth look at one hundred different devices, ranging from thermal detonators and Wookiee bowcasters to Lobot’s cyborg implant and the Empire’s top-secret cloaking devices.

The book is packed with information and topics are described in an in-universe perspective, as has become more or less customary in the world of Star Wars. Each entry is also accompanied by a charts and illustrations and relevant quote from within the Star Wars universe.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
Author: W Haden Blackman
Released: 1 Sep 2003

The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels features an in-depth look at one hundred ships, fighters, and other flying machines from the original and prequel trilogies as well as the Expanded Universe including the The New Jedi Order series, each with its own one-to-two page spread including detailed schematics.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars