The New Essential Guide to Characters is a compendium of information, a reference work brought to us by Del Rey. The author is Daniel Wallace, with illustrations by Michael Sutfin. Its initial publication date was April 23, 2002.
This book presents the life stories of various characters from the entire Star Wars narrative, utilizing both well-known and more obscure source materials.
It was later included in a larger collection, The New Essential Guide to Characters, Weapons and Technology, and Vehicles and Vessels, which was released in 2005.

- Acknowledgment Section
- A Guide to Pronunciation
- Introductory Remarks
- A Broad Overview of Galactic History
- Admiral Ackbar
- Padmé Naberrie Amidala
- Nom Anor
- Wedge Antilles
- Darth Bane
- Jar Jar Binks
- Bossk
- Brakiss
- Shira Brie
- C-3PO
- Callista
- Lando Calrissian
- Gaeriel Captison
- Tycho Celchu
- Chewbacca
- Admiral Daala
- Jori and Gav Daragon
- Gavin Darklighter
- Dengar
- General Jan Dodonna
- Count Dooku
- Droma
- Durga the Hutt
- Kyp Durron
- 4-Lom
- Baron Fel
- Boba Fett
- Jango Fett
- Borsk Fey'lya
- Bib Fortuna
- Rokur Gepta
- Greedo
- Nute Gunray
- Corran Horn
- IG-88
- Ysanne Isard
- Prince Isolder
- Jabba the Hutt
- Jedi Council Members
- Jedi from the Battle of Geonosis
- Jerec
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Kir Kanos
- Talon Karrde
- Kyle Katarn
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Kueller
- Exar Kun
- Warmaster Tsavong Lah
- Owen Lars and Beru Whitesun Lars
- Bevel Lemelisk
- Lobot
- Garik "Face" Loran
- General Crix Madine
- Darth Maul
- Mon Mothma
- Boss Nass
- Nien Nunb
- Nym
- Ric Olié
- Emperor Palpatine
- Captain Panaka
- Admiral Gilad Pellaeon
- Sate Pestage
- Admiral Firmus Piett
- Podracer Pilots
- Ulic Qel-Droma
- R2-D2
- Dash Rendar
- Naga Sadow
- Thrackan Sal-Solo
- Sebulba
- Executor Sedriss
- Senator Viqi Shesh
- Darth Sidious
- Raith Sienar
- Aurra Sing
- Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
- Luke Skywalker
- Mara Jade Skywalker
- Anakin Solo
- Han Solo
- Jacen Solo
- Jaina Solo
- Leia Organa Solo
- Kam Solusar
- Nil Spaar
- Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin
- Booster Terrik
- Bria Tharen
- Grand Admiral Thrawn
- Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum
- General Maximilian Veers
- Vergere
- Quinlan Vos
- Watto
- Zam Wesell
- Mace Windu
- Prince Xizor
- Yoda
- Warlord Zsinj
- Zuckuss
- Appendix: Other Personages of Note
- Bibliography