This article is about the real-world book. You may be looking for the in-universe book.
For other uses, see Jedi vs. Sith.

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.

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

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.

Contents

  • Author Acknowledgements
  • Introduction
  • Time Line
Tionne Solusar, an in-universe author

Tionne Solusar, an in-universe author

Part One: History and Holocrons

The Holocrons

Significant Battles

Return of the Sith

Return of the Sith

Part Two: The Jedi

Jedi Evolution

Force Sensitive Abilities

Jedi Spirits

Detecting Jedi Powers

The Force as a Source of Energy

Force Anomalies

Lightsabers

  • 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

Dark Jedi

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 Dark Side Compendium

Part Five: Other Force Using Traditions

Part Six: The Chosen One

Afterword

Index

About the Author

About the Illustrators

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.

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Appearances

By type
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

Sources

Notes and references

External links