I have already written a longer version that got lost in the Amazonian widths, so here comes the short version. From my perspective, has this "Essential Guide" second generation, here on 200 pages high-quality glossy paper, has presented its potential especially in view of the illustrations (from today's perspective) with regard to timeliness and completeness massively. On each side of a double set W. Haden Blackman author ("The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technlogy", "The Force Unleashed: Art of the Game", etc.) and his illustrator Steven D. Anderson (all "New Essential Guides "and most diverse novel cover) the vehicles and spaceships of Star Wars universe (" The Disappeared "," Labyrinth of Evil "...) - from the AAT to the Z-95 Headhunter-- whose history and specifications before. At the time of the publication date of 2003, the book may have still been on the cutting edge, but now, six years later, it is no longer possible. The majority of the vehicles and spaceships from the five hitherto to seeing films is also to see how many of the expanded universe known (including ships of Yuuzhan Vong), but many of the EU more recent creations, from "Revenge of the Sith" and other Sources missing naturally. In order to meet the above promise I act the rest now short and sweet from: the lyrics are not all perfect, but quite informative and all in all quite successful; Errors are rare (but occur as the length of the executor); the clarity is given largely by alphabetical order; the illustrations have me mostly disappointed (no movie stills, no backgrounds, and some EU creations just seem ridiculous (Example: Yorik Trema - because you would prefer to leave it at the undefined images in the minds of the NJO series reader)); the technical information is kept very short; the general design is not just futuristic and the additional sections show light (interesting overview of shipbuilders) and shadow (stupid Battle Plans).
Conclusion:
The texts are managed (although not very clear), the illustrations are a matter of taste, but an overhaul is definitely - especially in times of Wookiepedia - overdue.
