The Essential Chronology (real-world book)

The Essential Chronology, a reference work from Del Rey, holds the distinction of being the sixth installment in the Essential Guide series. Kevin J. Anderson and Daniel Wallace authored it, while Bill Hughes provided the illustrations. Its initial release occurred on April 4, 2000.

The book presents a historical overview of the Star Wars saga, entirely from an in-universe viewpoint. This spans from the era preceding the Republic to just before the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. It cohesively merges and aligns various Expanded Universe stories, drawing from both prominent and lesser-known sources. However, due to its publication date, the book offers limited coverage of the Prequel era and the Clone Wars, focusing primarily on the events depicted in Phantom Menace.

Later, in 2005, an updated edition titled The New Essential Chronology was released, serving as a revision of The Essential Chronology.

Publisher's summary

This is a tale that finds its genesis millennia before the births of Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and even Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The narrative stretches across galaxies, encompassing vast kingdoms and powerful dynasties. It meticulously records conflicts and charts the trajectories of influential figures who redefined their respective eras. Finally, the numerous threads of this remarkable saga are woven together—drawing from the original films, novels, and every reliable source—into a single, all-encompassing volume.

  • Delve into the Great Hyperspace War that caused a schism within the ancient Jedi Order.

  • Uncover the vibrant escapades of the roguish heroes, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian.

  • Witness the fall of the Empire, the establishment of the New Republic, the founding of Skywalker's Jedi academy, and the union of Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa, along with much more!

Media

Editions

Cover gallery

Contents

  • Introduction for Students of History

  • Note on Dating Conventions

  • Part I: Tales of the Ancient Jedi Knights Emergence of the Sith Legacy of the Sith

  • Part II: The Empire and the New Order

  • Part III: Profiles in History Han Solo Lando Calrissian The Skywalkers

  • Part IV: Rebellion against the Empire The Rebellion Begins A Light Eclipsed Alliance Triumphant

  • Part V: Birth of the New Republic

  • Part VI: Empire Resurgent The Depredations of Grand Admiral Thrawn The Return of Isard The Resurrection of Emperor Palpatine

  • Part VII: The Return of the Jedi Knights Skywalker's Jedi Academy The Darksaber Threat The Death Seed plague

  • Part VIII: Uprisings and Insurgencies The Empire Reborn Movement The Black Fleet Crisis Uprising at Almania The Corellian Insurrection

  • Part IX: A Lasting Peace

  • Part X: Generations of Jedi Knights The Golden Globe and Kenobi's lightsaber The Shadow Academy and the Second Imperium The Diversity Alliance The Resurgence of Black Sun

  • Afterword

  • Map

  • Time Line

  • Index

Appearances

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