"The New Essential Guide to Characters," by Daniel Wallace, Michael Sutfin [Del Rey, 2002]

[image=http://www1.theforce.net/jc/images/bookcovers/negtc.jpg]

Summary:

The Star Wars universe is expanding faster than ever before, and Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Characters has received an exciting new face-lift-with completely updated text and more than a hundred brand new, full-color illustrations by extraordinary new artist Michael Sutfin.
This all-new Essential Guide features detailed profiles of more than one hundred and thirty characters from across the Star Wars galaxy, including all of your favorites-such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and Mara Jade-as well as, from Episode II:

? Jango Fett ? Count Dooku ? Anakin Skywalker ? Zam Wesell

And the key players from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace:

? Queen Amidala ? Qui-Gon Jinn ? Mace Windu ? Darth Maul

Here is complete, updated coverage of the novels from the incredible New Jedi Order and all of the classic movies, books, comics, TV specials, games, and the rest of the Star Wars universe.

This must-have book describes the essential history and personal data for each character-with vital statistics, homeworlds, and political affiliations.

More characters, more information, brilliant artwork-the Essential Guides are hotter than ever!

 

Fantastic Essential Guide!

Loved the text by fellow SWFA member Daniel Wallace, and the full colour artwork is aweomse!

Also, first Star Wars publication that I got an acknowledgement in!

 

Also, first Star Wars publication that I got an acknowledgement in!

Where?

Anyways, it's a good book. And FAR better than the original which, while good in 1995, isn't exactly the type of book that would work in the SW universe of the 21st Century.

10.

 

Where?

In the acknowledgements section! (Michael Potts).

 

Oh. Guess I didn't recognize it because it wasn't "The Gatherer".

Anyways, may I ask how you were involved in making this book?

 

it's way better than the last one. it got a few small details wrong and it's missing some of my favorite characters like Ganner, Nen Yim, Tenel Ka should have a bigger part, so should Tahiri and Danni, it's missing Cal Omas and Kenth Hamner and Tionne....but of the ppl they did include i like it very very much! i learned things i didn't know about my absolute faves.


4thBG5thBTL

 

If I recall correctly, as Daniel explained it, it was in recognition of the hard work that Chris McElroy and I have put in with Timetales.

I think that Daniel used Timetales to corroborate some of his dates, etc...

 

Gatherer: Coolness!

it's way better than the last one. it got a few small details wrong and it's missing some of my favorite characters like Ganner, Nen Yim, Tenel Ka should have a bigger part, so should Tahiri and Danni, it's missing Cal Omas and Kenth Hamner and Tionne....but of the ppl they did include i like it very very much! i learned things i didn't know about my absolute faves.

IIRC, the reason that they weren't included was because their characters were not fully developed at the time the book was being made to warrant inclusion.

 

I gave it a 10. It was almost perfect as far as essential guides go. I especially like the color illustrations. Hopefully we'll get another one after Episode 3.

 

For what it was, it was great. It was nice to finally have the info fit together and work with the continuity, and it was refreshing to see that the NJO and EpII were included.

It could have used another hundred or so pages, and I was confused as to why certain entries were there (They included Kam Solousar and Ric Olie, but not Wes Janson or Tenel Ka) Also, much of the information was outdated by the time it was released, and several of the character profiles seemed to stop on cliffhangers, instead of waiting another two or three months for the next NJO book to be released and then filling in the gaps in the profiles. A second NEGTC is definately already overdue, and I would like to have seen more information about already established characters who were not even included in the appendix.

 

It is a good book. Wonderful illustrations. It would be better if everyone in the appendix had their own entry.

 

i liked the full color and large DB. the only real problem is it leaves out a bunch of characters, both minor and major. i would liek to see a complet guild sometime.

 

very good and comprehensive.

 

i gave it a 9 because it was good but there is no biggs in it

 

Unfortunately, I haven't got it, cos I live in Ireland! (Boo hoo)
Is Jag in it? If so can someone PLEASE post an illustration or something? Thanks!

Shelly

 

9. I would have given it a 10 if a picture had of been provided for Tahiri Vheila.

 

It's a great, interesting book, but it isn't 'Essential'. It favours a few obscure characters with a whole page, while Shmi Skywalker, Bail Organa and other important characters are relegated to one paragraph at the back.

And yes, Jag's in it. He has a little picture and a paragraph of info.

 

first Star Wars publication that I got an acknowledgement in!
((bows before The Gatherer))
Very cool!

I held off on the original edition, because with so many EU books coming out...they would have to update the main character biographies, plus add new ones.

GREAT BOOK!!! While there are characters I would liked to have seen included, I think the offered a balance between films/and all aspects of EU. And I like the artwork in this edition, because the color adds more "life" to the depiction.

 

Great but I can't wait for an updated one. Already there are characters missing!

 

It was good, but not perfect. Didn't have enough Rogues and Wraiths for my taste. They could have at least done a collective entry for each, like they did with the Jedi Council and the Jedi at the Battle of Geonosis.

And there was no Mirax

 

9 - Good sequel to the first Essential Guide to characters. The full colored pictures were great, and the new additions really expanded some of the newer characters we've come to love. I would have given it a 10, but the picture of "Runt" Ekwesk in the back is pretty disturbing.

~Corran

 

Wait, no Mirax AND no Janson? Bah, I give it the one!

Okay, not a one, but I'd just like to point out that whoever forgot to put Janson and Wedge's pseudo little sister in there needs a severe beating with Hobbie's bacta-soaked body.

 

Thoroughly researched, entertainingly written, with some nice additions by DW. Doesn't exactly match who I'd have chosen for big entries, but so what?

Wes Janson's (and Poggle the Lesser's) NEGC entry is in Insider #59.

 

I got an acknowledgement too, so I was pretty happy with it