The New Essential Chronology, a reference work spanning 256 pages, was brought to you by Del Rey, marking the eleventh installment within the Essential Guide collection. Daniel Wallace authored it, expanding upon original material co-created with Kevin J. Anderson. The illustrations are the work of Mark Chiarello, John Van Fleet, and Tommy Lee Edwards. Ian Fullwood is credited with the creation of the galaxy map situated towards the book's conclusion. This book, The New Essential Chronology, saw its release on October 25, 2005.
This book presents a comprehensive overview of the Star Wars narrative, encompassing events from the pre-Republic era up to the aftermath of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, drawing from both prominent and lesser-known sources. This version incorporates updates to reflect the events of the prequel trilogy and the New Jedi Order series of novels. The narrative unfolds from an in-universe stance, attributed to Voren Na'al, the Archivist Emeritus serving the Historical Council of the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances.
- ISBN 0345490533; Released on October 25, 2005 by Del Rey, a hardcover edition comprising 238 pages.
- ISBN 0345449010; Published by Del Rey, a paperback edition consisting of 238 pages.
Finally, the complete history of the amazing Star Wars story is here, richly illustrated and in full color for the very first time.
Now that Episodes I, II, and III are complete, the whole story that has fascinated so many can now be told, from the ancient Knights of the Old Republic and the Clone Wars to the rise of the Empire, from the destruction of the Death Star to the adventures of the New Jedi Order.
With beautiful pictures by Mark Chiarello, Tommy Lee Edwards, and John Van Fleet, Star Wars: The New Essential Chronology is the full and authorized record of that incredible galaxy far, far away. Inside you'll discover
- _the most exciting and important moments from all parts of _ Star Wars —the big turning points that shaped the galaxy
- a detailed account of the controversial Clone Wars—the betrayal behind them and the terrible results
- descriptions of the main people in the history of the _ Star Wars _ galaxy, along with the most loved heroes and villains from every movie, book, comic, TV show, game, and cartoon
Watch Anakin Skywalker's dangerous journey as he struggles with the dark side; see the evil of each Dark Lord of the Sith, from Darth Sidious to Darth Vader; witness the intense space battles that decided the fate of planets; and see the brutal invasion of the seemingly unstoppable Yuuzhon [sic] Vong.
The training of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the invasion of Naboo, the capture of Princess Leia, the Battle of Yavin, the lightsaber fight to the death between Organa Solo and Beldorion the Hutt—all the important events are recorded and saved forever in this exciting Stars Wars story.
- Author Acknowledgements
- Introduction to Students of History
- Note on Dating Conventions
- Part One: Tales of the Ancient Republic Formation of the Republic Emergence of the Sith Legacy of the Sith
- Part Two: The Fall of the Republic The Beginning of the End The Clone Wars
- Part Three: The Empire and the New Order The Dark Times
- Part Four: Profiles in History Han Solo Lando Calrissian The Skywalkers
- Part Five: The Galactic Civil War Armed Rebellion Begins A Light Eclipsed Alliance Triumphant
- Part Six: Birth of the New Republic
- Part Seven: Empire Resurgent
- Part Eight: The Return of the Jedi Knights
- Part Nine: Uprisings and Insurgencies
- Part Ten: A Lasting Peace
- Part Eleven: Generations of Jedi Knights
- Part Twelve: The New Jedi Order
- Galaxy Map
- Index
The book's calendar, which uses a 12-month year, does not align with the Galactic Standard Calendar.