Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force (Star Wars) [Paperback]

Ryder Windham (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 27, 2007 | Series: Star Wars

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE ABSOLUTE POWER AT THE HEART OF THE STAR WARS GALAXY

The Force, in the immortal words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, “surrounds us, it penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.” The fortunate few who are able to tap into this extraordinary power have studied and cultivated the full spectrum of its potential–either embracing its virtuous qualities or succumbing to its evil temptations. The Jedi seek to bring peace and enlightenment to the galaxy, while the Sith hunger only for conquest and control.

This comprehensive one-of-a-kind overview chronicles the known history of the Force and its wielders down through the ages, from the founding tenets of Jedi and Sith teachings to the landmark events and legendary figures who have shaped the struggle between the light and dark sides. In first-hand accounts by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, Darth Bane, Darth Vader, Count Dooku, Emperor Palpatine, and a host of other Jedi Masters, Sith Lords, scholars, and sages, Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force spans the breadth of available knowledge, including

• the first recorded discovery of the Force
• significant battles affected by the Force throughout galactic history
• the purpose, construction, and importance of Holocrons
• the evolution of the Jedi and Sith orders
• Force-sensitive abilities–including battle meditation, telekinesis, and “mind tricks”
• noteworthy Jedi and Sith lightsabers, and the seven forms of lightsaber combat
• a vivid portrait of the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker
PLUS–More than one hundred brand new full-color illustrations!

No Star Wars library is complete without this definitive guide to understanding the Force. Remember: the Force will be with you . . . always!

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: LucasBooks; First Print edition (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345493346
• ISBN-13: 978-0345493347
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The illustrations alone are worth it! December 4, 2007

By Adrian Ion

Format:Paperback

The "Essential Guide" series to the Star Wars universe has (perhaps surprisingly) never had a book devoted entirely to the "Force". And this one does not disappoint! The attempt at an "in-universe" historical style (supposedly, the "author" is a Jedi in the New Jedi Order) makes it immersive and fun to read. The information deals with a wide variety of Force-related subjects that any Star Wars fan would be interested in: from the origins and history of the Jedi and Sith orders to the construction of lightsabers and Jedi martial arts. The only thing that I personally felt to be missing is a more "scientific" or "physical" explanation of the Force and its workings (like in-universe scientific theories on how the Force is produced and how it interacts with regular matter and energy), but that might have conflicted with the "historian's perspective" that it adopts instead.
Despite any shortcomings in the text itself, however, the illustrations alone make it worth the complete 5 stars! They are simply breathtaking... and the amount of time and sweat put into them by the artists must have been staggering. It's strange to say it, but it feels more like an art book than a dry listing of Star Wars lore! Any Star Wars fan would love these wonderful works of art!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Purchase ;P January 7, 2008

By Greg

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is necessary for all fans. It's like.. the Star Wars Bible!
It's a canon in-universe source as well!
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Wookieepedia Page - http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jedi_vs._Sith:_The_Essential_Guide_to_the_Force

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So Basically This is a Historical (in-universe) Text. It is written by Tionne Solusar in the year 40 A.B.Y; for those who do not know she is a Jedi Historian. Her subject is to explain the conflict between the Jedi and the Sith from it's beginnings to as far as she can tell (40aby, but another takes over in the end to tell the Legacy comics stuff which is RAD). She is a Historian first and a Jedi second she says basically and she takes a neutral stance on the facts.

There are also, First-Hand Accounts from characters. Like just straight-up transcripts of Holocrons. There's things like Mace Windu explaining Vaapad, Luke Skywalker expressing his views on the Dark Side and the mistakes he made during his training (Episode V), Dooku giving an account of pretty much everything he did becoming a Sith and his views on the force. [some of these have completely changed the way I view parts of the movies]

Part 1 is an incredible timeline, and the basic history of everything from the 100yrs Darkness, the Great Hyperspace War etc up to Luke Skywalker's Duel with Lumiya.

Part 2 is about the Jedi. You get things like Cin Drallig's actual classes (from a recording), Descriptions of Force-Abilities, all the different lightside views on the force, Lightsaber Combat etc.

That's all I'll go into for more info check out the Wookieepedia Page

The best part is the Index in the back. If you aren't convinced you need this book. Go to Borders or whatever read the Intro by Tionne Solusar and lookup some favorite characters in the index to see how many pages they are on cause they really crammed almost everything into this.

Oh and the art is just.... Incredible. When I got mine I spent 2 hours just looking at the pictures alone.. It's amazing

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not What I expected but Still Loved It February 15, 2008

By Andromeda

Format:Paperback

Like most of the people who bought this book I thought it was as it said a guide to the Force. Really its a guide to the Force users the Sith, the Jedi, the Dark Side, the Light Side, the abilities, holograms and the Chosen One. Yet it so good that I can't be disappointed that it wasn't what I thought. I enjoyed reading the Jedi and Sith "holograms" as they left their own views on events and things. Naturally the Sith are more amusing since they won't devolge too much infomation until you prove yourself and bring them a dead body which they really encourage...and Palpatine's views on things. I couldn't help but think of thinking of Obi Wan's saying of different points of view which you defiently see in the Jedi and Sith's different interpetations of things. I liked learning of the different techniques, abilities and the Forms of the Jedi. Luke's recording on his own journey on the dark side. I also enjoyed Leia's recordings on learning about her father, mother and their marriage. I also liked the story Pooja (Padme's niece) of her two meetings of Anakin. Althought I'm still hoping for a complete book on Luke and Leia learning of their mother, Anakin and Padme's relationship and their Naboo relatives this was a nice and unexpected surprise. The pictures were beautifully done.