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November 9, 2005
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 Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide, by Ryder Windham, is one hundred and forty four 12 x 10 pages of gross Star Wars excess.
This plethora of all things Star Wars hosts many treasures: a heartfelt and sincere forward by Ian McDiarmid, a two-page display of Galactic History in standard years before and after the Battle of Yavin that incorporates all major Expanded Universe events up to the end of the Yuuzhan Vong War, a two-page spread on the regions and rims of the Star Wars Galaxy, a two-page spread on Star Wars exclusive technology, four colorful pages devoted entirely to the Jedi and Sith, ten vibrant-paneled pages that cover the era of the Old Republic leading up to the events of Episode One (including a two-page spread on the KOTOR game series), six pages devoted to the events of The Phantom Menace, four pages that cover the decaying republic and the rise of the seperatist movement in between Episodes I & II, six pages that chronicle the events of Attack of the Clones, eight pages devoted to Revenge of the Sith alone, eight pages that tell of the Dark Times in the nineteen years in between the two trilogies, an impressive twelve pages detailing the epic events of A New Hope, eight pages narrating arguably the most favorite of Star Wars films: The Empire Strikes Back, a colorful two-page spread on the events of Shadows of the Empire, a six-page retelling of Return of the Jedi, six pages devoted to post ROTJ events, twelve fully detailed pages depicting the behind-the-scenes aspects of the Star Wars films (Lucas bio, galaxy design, visual effects, model making, & movie posters), eight pages on expanding the Star Wars universe (merchandise, cartoons, publishing, & video games), concluding with a four- page real-world timeline on the production of all things Star Wars.
Slightly disappointing was the depiction of the Clone Wars in between Episodes II & III, summed up in a measly two pages that I found grossly incongruent to arguably the most epic war in Star Wars history. Other fans will be disappointed in the equally deflated coverage of the Yuuzhan Vong War, summed up in mere paragraphs.
All in all, Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide is an awesome collection piece. When the eyes are in the mood to consume awesome, colorful Star Wars imagery, this book definitely delivers. Fans who behold to expanded universe material as beloved canon will be pleased with how Windham incorporates EU events into his movie spreads, treating such inclusions as Kyle Katarn, Vader ordering Threepio's remains to be placed in Chewie's cell, and Boba's survival in the Sarlaac (among many other EU events) as canonical happenings.
While veteran fans may be disappointed that this volume does not pour thorough information over any one happening, such is not its purpose, nor should such be expected from the material. For greenhorn fans, this tome would excellently get them up to speed on the major happenings of Star Wars with full visual detail.
Despite my disappointments, Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide walks away with four sabers from me.
 Other Works by Ryder Windham
Revenge of the Sith Scrapbook
Star Wars: Galactic Crisis
A New Hope (Junior Novelisation)
The Empire Strikes Back (Junior Novelisation)
Return of the Jedi (Junior Novelisation)
Star Wars Comics Companion
Star Wars: Journey Through Space
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