Rating: 
Summary: Letting new authors get a leg up in the publishing biz
Review: I was rather surprised and pleased by the multitude of comments on this web site singling out my "Blaze of Glory" short story in this collection. It's been over a year since the release of the book, and I am still overwhlemed that editor Peter Schweighofer and Bantam selected my story over dozens of other short stories published in the Star Wars Adventure Journal. It's a pity that the Journal and its publisher, West End, may be out of business for good. I would like to personally thank Peter Schweighofer for making me a better writer. He suggested that I rewrite the initial "Blaze of Glory" story, paring down the number of characters and tightening dialogue until the best shined through. I hope he continues to find opportunities for his talents.
Rating: 
Summary: Among The Best
Review: I was sceptical at best at how a new editor would handle a Tales book, and was pleasantly relieved when I finished this book. Let me start off by saying the short story by Zahn and Stackpole really sum up the whole thing. The empire, Jodo Kast, the Black Sun, Corran Horn, and a first time appearance of his father Hal Horn make this story a must if you loved the X-Wing series as much as I did. Zahn comes in when needed, adding to the plot and giving the Imperial officers that little touch of control he always does. The rest of the stories were interestingly new and a real treat. All in all, a great addition to the Tales stories, and quite possibly the best of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Stories before the final Rebellion victory
Review: In this book are presented stories of the time shortly before the fall of the Empire. The best of the lot are those by Zahn and Stackpole, fleshing out the past of some of the characters they created. We learn how Mara Jade and Talon Karrde hooked up, how Corran Horn joined the Rebellion, and how Thrawn and Corran cooperated before the Emperor's death. While the other stories are generally good, some are slow. Note that all these stories originally appeared in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, so you might have read some or all of them in the past.
Rating:
Summary: Stories before the final Rebellion victory
Review: In this book are presented stories of the time shortly before the fall of the Empire. The best of the lot are those by Zahn and Stackpole, fleshing out the past of some of the characters they created. We learn how Mara Jade and Talon Karrde hooked up, how Corran Horn joined the Rebellion, and how Thrawn and Corran cooperated before the Emperor's death. While the other stories are generally good, some are slow. Note that all these stories originally appeared in the Star Wars Adventure Journal, so you might have read some or all of them in the past.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't believe the title
Review: One would think with a title like this, the stories would be about the EMPIRE. Wrong! Many stories have the empire as a small footnote, or nothing at all. I expected stories with empire characters, but there were few. I liked a few stories, like Blaze of Glory, but most of them were pathetic. I dont recomend you buy it, but it mind be good to borrow.
Rating:
Summary: New twists and turns in the galaxy far, far away.
Review: Over 20 years ago, George Lucas wrote an epic story that has touched two generations of movie patrons; setting off a monumental wave of action figures, clothes, memorabilia, and books, including "Tales from the Empire", a compilation of stories set against the backdrop of Star Wars. These new tales focus on the smaller heroes, villains, and people caught in the middle than the epic characters George Lucas created. While Darth Vadar is the villain, and Luke Skywalker the white knight, this book focuses in on the greys that seperate the extremes. In this book we learn about families and loved ones torn assunder by this civil war. It is a more human approach to this overwhelming galaxy, that is refreshing. This is not to take away from the heroes that I once pretended to be in my backyard. These stories flesh out a world that is beloved by many, and is not to be missed by the fans that have made Star Wars a household name.
Rating:
Summary: New twists and turns in the galaxy far, far away.
Review: Over 20 years ago, George Lucas wrote an epic story that has touched two generations of movie patrons; setting off a monumental wave of action figures, clothes, memorabilia, and books, including "Tales from the Empire", a compilation of stories set against the backdrop of Star Wars. These new tales focus on the smaller heroes, villains, and people caught in the middle than the epic characters George Lucas created. While Darth Vadar is the villain, and Luke Skywalker the white knight, this book focuses in on the greys that seperate the extremes. In this book we learn about families and loved ones torn assunder by this civil war. It is a more human approach to this overwhelming galaxy, that is refreshing. This is not to take away from the heroes that I once pretended to be in my backyard. These stories flesh out a world that is beloved by many, and is not to be missed by the fans that have made Star Wars a household name.
Rating:
Summary: Great collection
Review: Sure the title is deceptive (Tales from the galaxy would have been a better name, but corny), but the short stories were great! You can really relate to them because they're ordinary people caught up in the war against the Empire. The first person perspective "Do No Harm" touched me, and "Blaze of Glory" was cool, as examples. Thrawn's comment about Veers in Side Trip was also cool. Definitely worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy Adventure Journals, buy this on instead!
Review: Take my word for it, this book is worth buying just for "The Blaze of Glory", the best SW short-story ever written!
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars on a human scale
Review: Tales From the Empire is a collection of stories from the Star Wars adventure journal, a magazine that went out of print a few years back. Besides featuring games and rpg strategies, it let new authors write for the Star Wars expanded universe. Right off the bat, I'm going to list my ONLY real complaint: the title is misleading. The stories are not about the Empire, nor do all of them take place within the time of the Empire. However, that is my ONLY complaint.To explain why I love this novel, I have to explain what made me like the Star Wars universe. It wasn't the movies themselves; the movies are great, and they get better with each viewing, but it was after playing Rebel Assault and reading this book that I was taken in. That game and this novel bring Star Wars down to a human scale. Rebel Assault let players on an alternate version of the first movie. Tales From the Empire lets the reader experience the pain and suffering of characters throughout the universe. A lot of these characters aren't war heroes or Jedi Knights. Most of them are simple folk, pulled into a war they tried to stay out of. One story has a medical doctor who is faced with a task of killing others to save one. There is a civilian mail carrier who's freighter is commandered to help retreat from Courscant. A loyal Imperial who must watch her best friend get taken away as a rebel traitor. The stories make up the heart of the Star Wars universe, and while they're not tearjerkers (well maybe), they'll definitely touch you emotionally. What's also nice in these stories is seeing how the Star Wars universe has expanded. All the detail Lucas put into his classic trilogy has paid off. The book begins with a wonderful introduction which all Star Wars fans can relate to. All the stories feature little details that make them come alive; the Star Wars universe has its own name for paper, for the bathroom, for a switchblade, and almost anything else you can imagine. Heir to the Empire might be the classic Star Wars novel, but this book filled my imagination and put me right into the middle of the SW Universe. It allowed me to continue with new adventures in my mind long after I'd finished the book. With regards to the writing styles, while the stories aren't as finessed as mainstream authors, they are all excellent reads. I liked Zahn's backstory for Talon Karrde, and would've loved to read "Mist Encounter" or "Command Decision", two Thrawn stories alleuded to in the intro. Corran Horn fans also take note: this novel features a bit of Corran's backstory, as well as a four-part story featuring the father-son team of Hal and Corran and how they captured Zekka Thyne (from Stackpole's X-Wing novels). The bottom line: Get this novel. It is a true testament to the power of Star Wars fans and how they've kept the SW Universe alive for sixteen years.
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