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. VelascoA Guide to the Star Wars Universe, 2nd Edition compiled by Bill SlavicsekA 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 ReynoldsStar 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 FryStar Wars: Attack of the Clones The Visual Dictionary, by David West Reynolds
- * Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide, by Jason FryStar 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 ReynoldsStar 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 FryLEGO 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 HidalgoStar Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide, by Pablo HidalgoStar Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia, by Adam Bray, Cole Horton and Tricia BarrStar Wars: The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary, by Pablo HidalgoSolo: 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 MangelsThe Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels, by Bill SmithThe Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology, by Bill SmithThe Essential Guide to Planets and Moons, by Daniel WallaceThe Essential Guide to Droids, by Daniel WallaceThe Essential Chronology, by Bill HughesThe Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Ann Margaret LewisThe 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 BlackmanThe New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology, by W. Haden BlackmanThe New Essential Chronology, by Daniel Wallace and Kevin J. AndersonThe New Essential Guide to Droids, by Daniel WallaceThe New Essential Guide to Alien Species, by Ann Margaret Lewis and Helen KeierThird 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 WindhamThe Essential Atlas, by Jason Fry and Daniel WallaceThe Essential Guide to Warfare, by Jason Fry and Paul R. UrquhartThe Essential Reader's Companion, by Pablo HidalgoThe Essential Characters, by Daniel WallaceRelated
Monsters and Aliens from George Lucas by Bob CarrauGalactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, by Ben BurttIn-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 HoleGalactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide, by Ebenn Q3 BaobabThe New Essential Chronology, by Voren Na'alJedi 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.Star Wars: The Making of the Movie, by Larry Weinberg
- * The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film, by J. W. Rinzler and Peter Jackson Once Upon A Galaxy: The Journal of the Making of The Empire Strikes Back, by Alan Arnold
- * The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, by Jonathan W. RinzlerThe Making of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, by John Phillip Peecher
- * The Making of Return of the Jedi, by J. W. Rinzler and Brad Bird The Making of Star Wars, Episode I, The Phantom Menace, by Laurent Bouzereau and Jody DuncanMythmaking: Behind the Scenes of Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, by Jody DuncanThe Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith, by J. W. RinzlerThe Art and Making of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by W. Haden Blackman and Brett RectorThe Making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, by Jonathan W. Rinzler, Mark Cotta Vaz, J. J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy
''The Art of Star Wars''
The Art of Star Wars is a series of reference books based on paintings and artwork. They are published by DK Publishing.The Art of Star Wars, edited by Carol TitelmanThe Art of The Empire Strikes Back, by Vic Bulluck and Valerie HoffmanThe Art of Return of the Jedi, by Carol TitelmanThe Art of the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition The Art of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, by Jonathan BresmanThe Art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, by Mark Cotta VazThe Art of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, by Jonathan W. RinzlerThe Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, by Frank Parisi and Gary Scheppke- * The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil SzostakThe Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Josh KushinsThe Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, by Phil SzostakThe Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story, by Phil SzostakThe Art of Star Wars Rebels, by Daniel Wallace.The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, by Phil SzostakThe Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian , by Phil SzostakThe Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian , by Phil Szostak
''Incredible Cross-Sections''
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 WindhamStar Wars: Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections, by David West ReynoldsStar Wars: Attack of the Clones Incredible Cross-Sections, by Curtis SaxtonStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-Sections, by Curtis SaxtonStar Wars: The Clone Wars: Incredible Vehicles, by Jason FryStar Wars: The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-Sections, by Kemp Remillard and Jason FryStar 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 LundInside the Worlds of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, by Simon Beecroft and Curtis SaxonInside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy, by James LucenoStar Wars: Complete Locations Star Wars: Complete Locations- ''Star Wars: Complete Locations''
Related
Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide, by James Luceno''The Official Star Wars Technical Journal''
The Official Star Wars Technical Journal was a 3-volume reference publication about organizations and places in the Star Wars universe. It was published by Starlog Communications International, Inc.Star Wars Technical Journal of Planet Tatooine, by Shane JohnsonStar Wars Technical Journal of the Imperial Forces, by Shane JohnsonStar Wars Technical Journal of the Rebel Forces, by Shane JohnsonStar Wars Technical Journal Star Wars Technical Journal Collector's Edition, by Shane Johnson''Ultimate Star Wars''
- Ultimate Star Wars- Reference book containing characters, vehicles, weapons, locations and technology. Includes content from seasons 1-6 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, season 1 of Star Wars Rebels, Films 1-6, The Clone Wars film and some comics. Published in 2015.
- Ultimate Star Wars: New Edition- Reference book containing expanded characters, vehicles, weapons, locations and technology. Includes content from seasons 1-7 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, seasons 1-4 of Star Wars: Rebels, season 1 of Star Wars Resistance, films 1-9 of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Battlefront II, the Star Wars Anthology films, and some comics. Published in 2019.
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy- Reference book containing more expanded characters, vehicles, weapons, locations and technology. Includes content from seasons 1-7 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, seasons 1-4 of Star Wars: Rebels, seasons 1-2 of Star Wars: Resistance, seasons 1-2 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, seasons 1 of Tales of the Jedi, seasons 1-3 of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, season 1 of Andor, season 1 of Ahsoka, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, films 1-9 of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Battlefront II, the Star Wars Anthology films, and some comics. Published in 2024.
Miscellaneous reference works
Star Wars: The Complete Scripts, by George Lucas, Leigh Brackett, and Lawrence Kasdan Creating the Worlds of Star Wars: 365 Days, by John KnollDressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars, by Trish BiggarFrom Star Wars to Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives, by Mark CottaHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise, by Chris Taylor The Illustrated Star Wars Universe by Kevin J. Anderson and Ralph McQuarrieSculpting a Galaxy by Lorne PetersonThe Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire by Mark VazStar Wars: The Action Figure Archive by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars Chronicles by Deborah FineStar Wars Chronicles: The Prequels by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars Comics Companion by Ryder Windham and Daniel WallaceStar Wars Encyclopedia by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars Scrapbook: The Essential Collection by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars: From Concept to Screen to Collectible by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars: The Magic of Myth by Mary Henderson Star Wars Poster Book by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars: The Power of MythThe Star Wars Vault, by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy by Matthew ReinhartThe Empire Strikes Back Notebook edited by Diana Attias and Lindsay SmithThe Quotable Star Wars compiled by Stephen J. SansweetStar Wars Character Encyclopedia by Simon BeecroftStar Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles by Landry Q. WalkerStar Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know by Adam Bray, Cole Horton, Michael Kogge, and Kerrie DoughertyStar Wars: The Force Awakens: Box Set Star Wars: Rey's Survival Guide by Jason FryStar Wars: Poe Dameron: Flight Log by Michael KoggeStar Wars: Aliens and Ships of the Galaxy by Jason Fry and Benjamin HarperThe Star Wars Book: Expand Your Knowledge of a Galaxy Far, Far Away by Cole Horton, Pablo Hidalgo, and Dan ZehrStar Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Dr. Chris KempshallEssays and commentary
Empire Building: The Remarkable Real Life Story of Star Wars, by Garry JenkinsA Galaxy Not So Far Away: Writers and Artists on 25 Years of Star Wars, by Glenn Kenny, editor.Sword Fighting in the Star Wars Universe, by Nick Jamilla.Star Wars and History, by Janice Liedl, editor and Nancy R. Regain, editor.Roleplaying gamebooks
Saga edition
Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Saga EditionStarships of the Galaxy Star Wars Gamemaster ScreenThreats of the GalaxyKnights of the Old Republic Campaign GuideForce Unleashed Campaign GuideScum and VillainyThe Clone Wars Campaign GuideLegacy Era Campaign GuideJedi Academy Training ManualRebellion Era Campaign GuideGalaxy At WarScavenger's Guide to DroidsGalaxy of Intrigue- ''The Unknown Regions''