Any Suggestions???

I've been a Star Wars fan since the beginning. I've never really gotten into it more than the movies though. I've just finished playing Jedi Outcast, was a blast. I played Everquest for two years but am quitting to play Star Wars Galaxies when it comes out. I'd like to bone up on my knowledge of Star Wars more than what the movies allow...can someone suggest a Star Wars novel or two that I can read that will give me a better understanding of it all???

Thanks,
Ariokk

 

I can recommend the Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command), and the X-Wing series. Nothing beats the classics.

 

I will try those. These won't throw me off will they? Remember, I've only seen the movies.

 

Yes, starting any book will get you thrown off. Buy as many old copies and new copies of the Star Wars Insider and study 2-1B's advice column. Through doing this you'll realize the real mastermind behind... well pretty much everything in the galaxy, especially the New Republic/Rebellion... 2-1B. After this, go and read the books, and remember, all that happens is do to 2-1B's instigation... That is all (Start with Truce at Bakura, then the Rogue Squadron books, then Wraith, then Coutrship of Princess Leia, then Thrawn trilogy)

 

You should definatly read the Thrawn Trilogy, but it may not help you in Galaxies, as the game is set during the Original Trilogy and TTT takes place several years after Return of the Jedi. You should read Shadows of the Empire, for sure. (Takes place between the Empire Strikes Back and RotJ.) The Han Solo Trilogy is good (The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, and Rebel Dawn) and it happens right before A New Hope. The X-wing series is a great read and it would help with a lot of technical knowledge, especially when the piloting expansion comes out for Galaxies, although it's set before TTT.

If you aren't interested in reading all the dozens of novels out there, TheForce.net's home page can link you up to TimeTales, which summarizes all the events in the Expanded Universe. (Not advisable if you want to read the books and comics later, though, as you'll get spoiled.)

 

The Essential Chronology by premier Star Wars literary masters Kevin Anderson and Dan Wallace is exactly what you're looking for.

 

Yeah, that's a good book. Pretty comprehensive. I read it all the way through like a novel, so that was cool.

 

this is what i did, and it turned out alright (at least i hope i did )

i read the thrawn trilogy by timothy zahn. then i read the jedi academy trilogy, the new rebellion, and the thrawn duology. then i read all the x-wing books. i finished them just about as the NJO was beginning so it worked out well.

if you only want to read a few books, i would suggest reading the thrawn trilogy, definitely. after that, the x-wing books are awful quick reads, and you'll love them. you should read everything!

my last piece of advice is this: don't read the NJO until you've read most of the x-wing books and the thrawn books. it won't make any sense to you, and many of the ironic meanings in the books will be lost on you.

-AS02

 

Whatever you do, make sure you read The Thrawn Trilogy.

 

Thank you...you all have been most helpful. I will definately follow your advice, I never realized that Star Wars got that indepth.

Ariokk

 

when you finish reading the thrawn trioligy you want to then read "The Hand of Thrawn" duolgiy. (Specter of the Past/Vision of the Future)

 

Pshht! Hand of Thrawn Duology! Read the X-wing series after the Thrawn Trilogy.

 

Ariokk before you read the EU you need to finish watching all of the star wars movies or the EU won't make any sense. You havn't seen all of the star wars movies. you missed "The star wars holiday special". its almost impossible to find normaly. You will find it on kazza.