Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I was quite excited upon learning that an update was in the works for one of my favorite Star Wars books of all time. The original Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels was (and still largely is) a one-of-a-kind work. Prior to that, most of the ships of the expanded universe appeared only in printed text- not illustrations. Doug Chiang and Troy Vigil really added life to the ships of the Star Wars universe.
The New Essential Guide is something less than new. The full color illustrations are the best part of it- especially those that depict vessels not shown in the previous work. Additionally, there's some background on vehicle manufacturers, famous battles, and comparisons between vessel sublight and hyperspace speed.
Other than this, however, the book falls short of its previous incarnation. The schematics largely tell you things you could have inferred just by looking at the picture (The ship has a hull?! No way!) and the text is watered down for a younger audience. There's not as many hard facts or numbers, including no comparison at all of shield or hull strength (something I, a long-time SW space sim player, was hoping for). There is a simple explanation of the basic technologies at the start, appropriately titled 'A Layperson's Guide to Technology.' It seems the author and publishers aren't aware that most kids nowadays are more familiar with technical jargon than adults.
Aside from these minor complaints, there is one major issue I have with this book. That is, only a handful of new ships are shown, and most of these are from the prequels. Frankly, other books like the Incredible Cross Sections series have covered these vehicles better than the Essential Guide could hope to. There's also the issue of beating a dead horse. If you don't know what an X-wing looks like by now, you probably won't be buying this book. Why recap material that's been published a dozen times already? There's a whole load of new ships in the New Jedi Order series alone (i.e. the Bothan Assault Frigate, Star Defender, Ranger Gunship). Why not present those?
The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels does have some cool features, but aside from the updated color illustrations, it is less than 'new' and hardly 'essential.' I would recommend the original Essential Guide over this one, and advise those that already own it to check out other guides first.
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Text by W. Haden BlackmanAll new full color illustrations by Ian FullwoodFrom the beat-up landspeeders that whisk travelers between desert towns on Tatooine to Jabba the Hutt's luxurious sail barge and the elegant Naboo Royal Starship, the vehicles and vessels in the Star Wars universe have captivated millions of delighted fans.In light of the ever-expanding saga, the New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels features completely updated entries that cover more than 150 ships, along with brand new, full-color illustrations by dazzling artist Ian Fullwood. This new volume encompasses craft from all five movies, the bestselling novels of the New Jedi Order, comics, TV specials, and games. Inside you will find:• Detailed profiles and vital statistics for each vessel, including data covering the vehicle's construction, size, maximum speed, and its role in Star Wars history• A revealing Layman's Guide to Technology, covering common terms applied to each class of vehicle• An outline of engine technologies that drive the craft across the Star Wars galaxy, and of the unique weapons they boast• Schematics for each vehicle, providing the reader with instant visual reference Discover the modifications Han Solo and Chewbacca made on the Millennium Falcon to make it one of the fastest vessels in the galaxy; the secrets of the Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport Walker, possibly the most formidable military vehicle ever assembled; the reasons the Tribubble Bongo Sub is the chosen way to navigate the watery depths of Naboo; and the unique and lethal properties of the Yuuzhan Vong's living starship, the Coralskipper.Skiffs, cargo haulers, shuttles, podracers, gunships, sandcrawlers– if it flies, glides, drives, or speeds in the Star Wars galaxy, you'll find it in The New Essential Guide to Vehicle and Vessels!Ballantine Books/Science FictionVisit the official Star Wars Web site at www.starwars.comVisit our Web site at www.delreydigital.com
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