List of Star Wars reference books


Star Wars is an American epic space-opera media franchise, centered on a film series created by George Lucas. This is a list of the many reference books that have been published to accompany the films, television series, and the Expanded Universe of books, comics and video games.

''A Guide to the Star Wars Universe''

  • A Guide to the Star Wars Universe compiled by Raymond L. Velasco
  • A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, 2nd Edition compiled by Bill Slavicsek
  • A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, 3rd Edition compiled by Bill Slavicsek

    ''Visual Dictionaries''

The visual dictionary series is a series of reference books based on photographs about characters and elements from Star Wars media. They are published by DK Publishing.
Note: The updates of the books are listed right below them.
  • Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds
  • Star Wars: Episode I The Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds
  • * Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds and Jason Fry
  • Star Wars: Attack of the Clones The Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds
  • * Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide, by Jason Fry
  • Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith The Visual Dictionary, by James Luceno
  • * Revenge of the Sith: The Expanded Visual Dictionary
  • Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide, by Ryder Windham
  • * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Special Edition, by Ryder Windham and Daniel Wallace
  • * Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide: Updated and Expanded, by Ryder Windham and Daniel Wallace
  • Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds, James Luceno and Ryder Windham
  • * Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition, by Pablo Hidalgo and David West Reynolds
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide, by Jason Fry and Heather Scott
  • * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide: Ultimate Battles, by Jason Fry
  • * Star Wars: The Clone Wars: New Battlefronts: The Visual Guide, by Jason Fry
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, by Simon Beecroft
  • * LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary: Updated and Expanded
  • Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide, by Adam Bray
  • * Star Wars Rebels: Visual Guide: Epic Battles
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary, by Pablo Hidalgo
  • Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide, by Pablo Hidalgo
  • Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia, by Adam Bray, Cole Horton and Tricia Barr
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary, by Pablo Hidalgo
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story The Official Guide, by Pablo Hidalgo
  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary, by Pablo Hidalgo

    ''Essential Guides''

The essential guides are more adult-oriented and descriptive than the Visual Dictionaries. They are published by Del Rey.

First Generation

The first generation of books had covers with cartoon-like illustrations of the subjects and was known to use non-specific terms. They are listed below. It included data about the prequel trilogy only since The Essential Chronology.
Note: The second book was known for a number of picture errors, such as confusing the Imperial and Victory classes of Star Destroyer.
  • The Essential Guide to Characters, by Andy Mangels
  • The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels, by Bill Smith
  • The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology, by Bill Smith
  • The Essential Guide to Planets and Moons, by Daniel Wallace
  • The Essential Guide to Droids, by Daniel Wallace
  • The Essential Chronology, by Bill Hughes
  • The Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Ann Margaret Lewis
  • The Essential Guide to Episode I, never written

    Second Generation (''New'')

The second generation of books had covers with the standard Star Wars logo, stills from the films and with the word "New" evidenced in the title. They are listed below. It included data about Episode III only since The New Essential Chronology.
  • The New Essential Guide to Characters, by Daniel Wallace.
  • The New Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels, by W. Haden Blackman
  • The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology, by W. Haden Blackman
  • The New Essential Chronology, by Daniel Wallace and Kevin J. Anderson
  • The New Essential Guide to Droids, by Daniel Wallace
  • The New Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Ann Margaret Lewis and Helen Keier

    Third Generation

The third generation of books had new covers featuring specific artwork and title characters. They are listed below. It included data about almost every Legends piece of media.
  • Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, by Ryder Windham
  • The Essential Atlas, by Jason Fry and Daniel Wallace
  • The Essential Guide to Warfare, by Jason Fry and Paul R. Urquhart
  • The Essential Reader's Companion, by Pablo Hidalgo
  • The Essential Characters, by Daniel Wallace

    Related

  • Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas by Bob Carrau
  • Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, by Ben Burtt

    In-Universe

Some of the essential guides have also an in-universe counterpart, as they are written from an in-universe perspective. They are listed below, among with their fictional release dates and authors.
  • The Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Mammon Hole
  • * The New Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Mammon Hole
  • Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, by Ebenn Q3 Baobab
  • The New Essential Chronology, by Voren Na'al
  • Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force, by Tionne Solusar

    ''The Making of Star Wars''

The Making of Star Wars is a series of reference books about the so-called "making of" of the films and the video games of the franchise. They are published by various publishers, including notable names.
Note: The refurbishments of the three original trilogy books are listed right below them.
The Art of Star Wars is a series of reference books based on paintings and artwork. They are published by DK Publishing.
The Incredible Cross-Sections books are a series of reference books focusing on cross-sections of buildings and vehicles. They are published by DK Publishing.
  • Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections, by David West Reynolds
  • * Star Wars: Complete Cross-Sections, by David West Reynolds and Curtis Saxton
  • * Star Wars: Complete Vehicles, by Kerrie Dougherty, Curtis Saxton, David West Reynolds, Ryder Windham
  • Star Wars: Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections, by David West Reynolds
  • Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Incredible Cross-Sections, by Curtis Saxton
  • Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections, by Curtis Saxton
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Incredible Vehicles, by Jason Fry
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-Sections, by Kemp Remillard and Jason Fry
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Incredible Cross-Sections, by Jason Fry

    ''Inside the Worlds of''

The Inside the Worlds of books are a series of reference books focusing on accurate cross-sections of buildings featured in the films. They are published by DK Publishing.
  • Inside the Worlds of Star Wars: Episode I, by Kristin Lund
  • Inside the Worlds of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, by Simon Beecroft and Curtis Saxon
  • Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy, by James Luceno
  • Star Wars: Complete Locations
  • Star Wars: Complete Locations
  • ''Star Wars: Complete Locations''