Incredible Cross-sections of Star Wars, Episode I - The Phantom Menace: The Definitive Guide to the Craft (Hardcover)

~ David Reynolds (Author), Hans Jenssen (Illustrator), Richard Chasemore (Illustrator), (Author)
Key Phrases: droid starfighters, electromotive field, sublight engines, Trade Federation, Republic Cruiser, Darth Maul (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Want to get a battle-droid's-eye view of the inside of an AAT battle tank? Care to see what Darth Maul's hiding in the trunk of his sinister-looking Sith Infiltrator? You're in luck: the crew that brought us the super-cool Star Wars Visual Dictionary and the Incredible Cross-Sections for the first movie trilogy is back. Boy wonder archaeologist-author David West Reynolds has put together another Incredible Cross-Sections guide, this time pulling apart the vehicles and vessels in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. DK has mastered the art of making Star Wars fans drool, and this latest guide is definitely state of the art, opening up everything from Naboo starfighters to Trade Federation transports.

As always, Reynolds approaches the Star Wars universe with the respect and love of a fan, putting each ship in context with his characteristic friendly but scientific style. The clean chromium lines and meticulous wiring of Queen Amidala's Royal Starship reflect the order and honor of Naboo royalty; the flowing, shell-like details on a tribubble bongo sub show off the Gungans' organic aesthetic. The best ships, of course, belong to the bad guys: you can check out the secret weapons and cloak field generator packed aboard Maul's Infiltrator (which, we learn, has an "experimental" ion engine that will later put the I-E in TIE fighters), and the Trade Federation's droid starfighter and control ship get a full giant fold-out. From the "bunker-buster" high explosive shells spit out by an AAT to the flame emitter weapon on Sebulba's podracer, this inside-out tour makes all the stops you want it to. --Paul Hughes

From Library Journal

Grade 4-8-This oversized visual treat is packed with detailed illustrations of labeled cross sections of the vehicles and spacecraft created for Star Wars: Episode I. Jenssen and Chasemore, illustrators extraordinaire, went to the Lucasfilm headquarters and worked with the art department to see how these crafts were created. Most of the impressive, colorful pictures are on double-page spreads, though the center pages fold out to reveal a colossal four-page representation of a droid control ship. Interesting histories and details are set in a text that surrounds the drawings. "Data Files" give additional tidbits such as crew, manufacturer, speed, and armament. The writing is crisp and easy to read; the technological terms and descriptions are simpler to understand than those in Reynolds's Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary (DK, 1998). Anyone interested in the film or in spacecraft will enjoy this excellent guidebook.
Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (May 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078943962X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789439628
• Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,798 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Media > Star Wars > Episode 1
  #6 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Media > Star Wars > Reference
  #32 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > How Things Work

• This is item 1 in The Star Wars Incredible Cross-sections Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A definate for vehicle lovers!, February 27, 2006

By	Michael R. Cox (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I always wanted to see more and to be able to look inside of the vehicles more closely, and this book provides that information (and more more) in great detail. I really like the mini illustrations of where in the vehicles that events from the movies took place, it helps to "put a name to a face".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My review of this GREAT Book!!!!, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

I must say I love this book. I love being able to look into the insides of all of the vehicles. I am having a ton of fun looking through it. I am ust 19 and I have shown my family who all love it also. Great job by the author he has done a splendid job!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth buying for a fanatical, May 5, 1999

By A Customer

This book is extremely comprehensive and a very good insight into how the ships 'work'! Perhaps some ships are more labelled for 'what parts on the ship are' more than 'how they work' but this is ok as it is FICTION! If we did know how they worked then we would be building them! The book is worth getting for any Star Wars fanatic and fans of the previous books of this type will enjoy this equally. I have enjoyed it and would recommend it to any of my friends who like Star Wars.