Rating: 
Summary: Almost Esential
Review: One of things I have always admired about Star Wars in general is the fact that the universe is for the most part internally consistent, that is one story doesn't contradict one that preceded it, (Phantom Menace notwithstanding). Even in the Expanded Universe-the all-encompassing title given to that which takes place outside of the current four-film mainstream, the continuity is generally pretty tight, which is a major feat considering the number of authors involved. Characters created by one author often appear in stories written by others, instead of treating each book or series of books as a closed environment, rather agreements have been made between writers to make use of each other's characters, places, or events i.e. Michael A. Stackpole using Mara Jade in "I, Jedi" or Zahn using Corran Horn in "Specter of the Past/Vision of the Future".The history of Star Wars or the Galactic Republic encompasses 25,000 years, plus an unknown time of pre-history, the period before the Republic. Recorded Terran history is only 10,000 years and even if rendered down into a brief missive on the events in that time it would fill volumes. Condensed here in a little over 190 pages is the "Essential Star Wars Chronology" which ends precisely at the point that "Vector Prime" and the New Jedi Order begins, which is odd because the New Jedi Order began in 1999 and the "Essential Star Wars Chronology" was published in 2000. And given the importance of the New Jedi Order, one would think that they at least would have added information on the first three books by Salvatore and Stackpole. "The Star Wars Chronology" covers only about 5,000 years of galactic history, beginning with the Dark Horse Comics excellent "Tales of the Jedi" series and the rise of one of my favorite characters, Nomi Sunrider. It deals with the beginnings of Naga Sadow, Freedon Nadd, Ulic Qel-Droma and Exar Kun, of Jedi Knights Cay Qel-Droma and Tot Doneeta. It adds some clearer information on the background for LucasArts' masterpiece, "Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight", explaining how the planet Ruusan a battleground that led Kyle Katarn there centuries later to free the thousands of trapped Jedi spirits there after defeating the Dark Jedi, Jerec. Where the universe falls apart, and this is not Chronology author's Kevin J. Anderson's fault, is that it shows that the Jedi seem to be perhaps more of a hindrance than a blessing, and that very nearly every problem in galactic history is related to some Jedi falling to the Dark Side and causing problems. If every era is plagued by some resurgence of the Sith or a cabal of Jedi who fell to evil, why wouldn't the public at large demand the removal of the Jedi as a precaution? Simply put, guys like Exar Kun, Ulic Qel-Droma, Palpatine, and Darth Vader seem to happen an awful lot, leading to massive conflict and loss of life. Is the risk worth the existence of the Jedi Order at all? I feel that it is, but I also feel that too many authors are obsessed with the Dark Side because they think it's 'cool', and so they write it without considering that so many others are doing it also. Lastly, however well written and laid out the book is, the art goes beyond bad. Bill Hughes' pencil sketches of squat, square jawed characters and their angular features, gives the innards of this book a rushed and cheap look. Given the shear number of quality artists producing material for Star Wars, why in the name of the Force did they select this guy? Why not Dave Dorman? Why not R.K. Frost who did the wonderful art for the "Essential Guide to Alien Species"? Kevin J. Anderson and Daniel Wallace's writing must also be credited for making this book a breeze to read and locate information. For the most part this is a very good source for finding out what and when. The Force will be with you, always.
Rating: 
Summary: I agree this book has some problems concerning timelines.but
Review: People who dont read the ESWU books if they by this book may keep to find out information they did not know about. Where can they find this information? What book does it lie in? etc ... which means maybe in a sense the series will become more popular. As a avid collector of Star Wars Literature, I am always looking for a good history lesson on Star wars. I have not bought this book but i am looking forward to buying it. I have collected the other 5 books to the essential series which i enjoy kind of fun learning about the hidden secrets of items such as droids weapons and ships. And even darker origins of Characters. I recommend if you like the star wars trilogy, and if you want to know more about it then get this book.
Rating:
Summary: A much needed book.
Review: The books is a cool addition to any StarWars library. It is nice having a full history from 1 source.
Rating:
Summary: very good and informative read
Review: this book does a good job of linking all of bantam novels, and the early delrey novels, and children novels. but that's not all, for those who never had the chance to play the computer games, they are put in the time line to show you when they happened, and a little about the game stories. it also includes all the comics, this book does a good job of fitting in all of the Extended universe. If you like star wars, are just a bit interested in the Extended univers but don't know where to star, this is a great book, i highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Total star wars history...
Review: This book has everything you every wanted to know about star wars history, from the films to the books! It even leads right up to the new jedi order saga!
Rating:
Summary: All You Need To Know...
Review: This book is for the Star wars novel fanatic like me. If you are a fan of the movies, and feel the need to follow the adventures (past, present, and future) of the major and minor players in the vast Star wars universe, then this book is indeed essential. Finally, you don`t have to keep all the events and timelines in your head, this book does that for you! I was amazed at the depth of information, and the completeness of what`s included. Even die-hard fans will be amazed by what they find, and will end up saying to themselves: "I had totally forgotten about that!" It`s really that good. A Star wars novel-reader`s dream! Get this book!
Rating: 
Summary: a coloring book???
Review: this book needs a hardback counterpart, it seems like a coloring book...with it's b&w pages and pictures...the info is great but keep an eye out for the enclyclopedia update
Rating:
Summary: Great book that chronilcles main line star wars
Review: this book was wonderful, it written in such nice way filling in gaps between novels and put glue in to fix continuanty errors. It has a few problems where it should fix more of the contiunty errors from children's books, but this understandble since this is as stated in the forward a work in progress, that should be updated when the 2 last prequel films are finished. i disagree with what a prievius reviewer said the childen's books should have been left out with the ewok movies. the only reason the ewok movies were left out was because they did not have galaxy crashing conqueqences, that effect the main stream universe, unlike luke the last of the old jedi, the first of the knew and his friends do. The ewok movies are considered canon by lucasfilm because george lucas wrote the stories. another movie holiday special(cheesy as hell) is left out, of the time line but is considered canon by lucasfilm because it had life actorse reprising their roles from the film. but mostly the story does not have any major universe changing effects. but plenty of other essential guides document it. as did the book series Black fleet crisis by malcolm kube-mcdowel. I hope that if the book get's updated they make it 3 times as big and put in everything from the star wars universe, but until then this book does a noble job at fitting the mainstream stuff (books, movies, games, WEG, and comics)into a nice package.
Rating:
Summary: taking essential to the next level
Review: This book would basically be the summary of all the Star wars literature, games, movies, etc. The new artwork draws you into reading the entire book. I was surprised when they had a picture of a K-wing bomber. It is the most accurate depiction of the star wars timeline i've ever seen. This book is not just for starwarsians. It's so simple, a trekkie could read it (not that one would). It is one of the only books which exists as star wars and not with star wars. You should purchase this book because you don't have to read all of the novels to get the facts. They've read it for you.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Edition, with only 1 complaint
Review: This compendium is an excellent source for almost all expanded universe material. Moreover, it gives readers a chance to place the often excellent Young Adult books in the overall history of the SW universe. Having said this, I still have one complaint that is, to my way of thinking, justified. A scetion in the back of the book lists a timeline, but for whatever reason it refuses to simply list all the titles in order. It tries to, but it is still too confusing. For example, I don't need to know that Phantom Menace takes place 32 years before the Battle of Yavin. All I need to know is what publications exist immediately before and after its period. What I wanted (and failed to get in an easy, organizable form) was a simple listing from Tales of the Jedi to New Jedi Order of all novels, collections, comics, et al. Is that so hard to do? It is still a trifle maddening to arrange my volumes on the shelves. I wanted this book to be a definitive source, but it really isn't. It is close, but I still found it lacking. It is still a good read and a nice source. But for the love of GOD, could someone put out a true chronological list? I don't NEED descriptions,that is what I read books for. I just want a Lucasfilm approved order for the tomes to go on my shelf. Here's hoping.
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