Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force is an entry in the Essential Guide series of books, covering aspects of the Force. It is written by Ryder Windham and was released on November 27, 2007. It was the first Essential Guide to contain original material (as opposed to a revised and updated version of a previous book) since the original Alien Species guide in 2001.
As with both Alien Species guides, The New Essential Chronology and the Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, this book "exists" also as an in-universe publication, written by Tionne Solusar.
Official Site summary[]
Learn the history of the Jedi and their enemies—from the most ancient battles of light versus darkness chronicled within the recesses of long-lost Holocrons to more contemporary conflagrations recounted by heroes such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Leia Organa Solo. Discover the myriad ways to contemplate and use the Force, wield a lightsaber through different forms of combat, and for the truly brave, tread the path of the dark side and study the secrets of the Sith.
Publisher's summary[]
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 englightenment 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 that have shaped the struggle between the light and dark sides. In firsthand 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"
- A vivid portrayal 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.
Media[]
Editions[]
- ISBN 9780345493347; November 27, 2007; Del Rey; US paperback[1]
- ISBN 9780345542779; April 30, 2013; Del Rey; US eBook[2]
- ISBN 9780345493347; 2015; Del Rey; US paperback, Legends edition[3]
Cover gallery[]
Contents[]
- Author Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Time Line
Part One: History and Holocrons
The Holocrons
- The Tedryn Holocron
- The Asli Krimsan Holocron
- The Great Holocron
- The Telos Holocron and Darth Andeddu's Holocron
Significant Battles
- The Hundred Year Darkness
- The Great Hyperspace War
- The Shadow of Freedon Nadd
- The Sith War
- The Second Sith War
- Darth Ruin
- Battle of Ruusan
- Return of the Sith
- The Battle of Geonosis
- The Clone Wars
- The Galactic Civil War
- The Demise of Emperor Palpatine
- The Resurrection of Exar Kun
- The Yuuzhan Vong
- Luke Skywalker vs. Lumiya: First Encounter
- Luke Skywalker vs. Lumiya: Final Duel
Part Two: The Jedi
Jedi Evolution
- The Force and its Mythic Origins
- Early Jedi
- Jedi Knights of the Old Republic
- The Potentium Perspective
- The Lost
- The Dark Times
- The Jedi Academy
- The New Jedi Order
Force Sensitive Abilities
- Sense Powers
- Telepathy
- Affect Mind/Jedi mind trick
- Telekinesis
- Force Leap
- Burst of Speed
- Healing
- Healing Trance
- Farsight
- Psychometry
- Force Camouflage
- Battlemind
- Battle meditation
- Battle Meld
- Malacia
- Sever Force
- Beast Language
- Morichro
- Force lightning
Detecting Jedi Powers
The Force as a Source of Energy
Force Anomalies
- Lightsaber Construction
- Improvised Lightsabers
- Archaic Lightsabers
- Waterproof Lightsabers
- Training Lightsabers
- Dual Phase Lightsabers
- Illustrious Lightsabers
- Sith Lightsabers
- The Seven Forms
- Vaapad
- The Marks of Contact
- On Winning and Losing
Part Three: The dark side
- The First Dark Legion
- Ulic Qel-Droma's Return to the Light
- Four Stages of the Dark Side
- The Reformation of Revan
- The Dark Jedi Conflict
- The Conversion of Count Dooku
Dark Side Disciples
Under Exar Kun's Influence
Luke Skywalker on the Dark Side
Part Four: The Sith
The Darth Title
Gatekeeper of the Telos Holocron
- The Conquest of Sith Space
- The Sith Code
- Sith Worlds
- The Fall of the Sith Empire
- Darth Revan's Sith Holocron
- The Rule of Two
- On Selecting Apprentices
- The Confession of Darth Tyranus
- Sith alchemy
- Sith Weapons
- Force lightning
- Sith Spirits
- Immortality through Cloning
Part Five: Other Force Using Traditions
- Followers of Palawa
- Sorcerers of Tund
- Baran Do
- Mecrosa Order
- The Krath
- Ysanna
- Prophets of the Dark Side
- Zeison Sha
- Jensaarai
- Korunnai
- Aing-Tii
- Matukai
- Force Witches
- The Reborn
- Disciples of Ragnos
- Shadow Academy
- Fallanassi
Part Six: The Chosen One
- Tatooine Childhood
- Podracer Champion
- Arrival at the Jedi Temple
- Jedi Training
- First Mission
- Return to Tatooine
- Forbidden Love
- Darth Vader
Index
About the Author
About the Illustrators
Quotations[]
Much of this book included direct quotations from previously published sources. These included:
- Friendship in the Order - a speech given by Lanius Qel-Bertuk
Appearances[]
Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
Droid models
Events
Locations
|
Organizations and titles
Sentient species
Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
Miscellanea
Continuity[]
Under the section entitled The Reformation of Revan, an article written in-universe by Deesra Luur Jada, the following statement is made: "Increasingly, I feel like nothing more than a necrologist, dispatching weekly obituaries to the archives on Ossus." However, the guide does not mention that the Great Jedi Library on Ossus was thought to have been destroyed during the Sith War.
The book states incorrectly the dates for the Mandalorian Wars and the Jedi Civil War.
The book incorrectly states that Quinlan Vos retrieved Darth Andeddu's Holocron in 23 BBY. The correct date is 21 BBY.
The book takes place almost immediately after the funeral of Mara Jade Skywalker, after she is killed by Jacen Solo.
The last entry made in the book, by a Jedi apprentice, incorrectly states that Darth Nihl and Darth Talon are Darth Krayt's hands. Talon becomes a Hand in 137 ABY, though the entry was allegedly written in 130 ABY.
Vandar Tokare is misspelled as "Vandar Dokar".
The book incorrectly treats Thule and Thurra systems as separate locations and later incorrectly states that Dromund Kaas is located in the Thurra system.
Sources[]
- First Look: Essential Guide to the Force on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jedi vs. Sith: Star Wars: The Essential Guide to the Force on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link) (Paperback)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jedi vs. Sith: Star Wars: The Essential Guide to the Force on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link) (eBook)
- ↑ Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, Legends edition