Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Episode Guide Hardcover – June 3, 2013

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."...there was a time when fans of the "Star Wars" Saga could only speculate and wonder about the Clone Wars, an era that told of the fall of the legendary order of the Jedi Knights and the last days of the Old Republic society they protected. But as the 21st century of Earth's western civilization began that history would at last be told; at first by the Saga's creator, George Lucas, in films that came to be called "The Prequel Trilogy;" in books and comics named the "Expanded Universe," and lastly in an ambitious television series that pushed the boundaries of computer graphic imaging technology and family entertainment. The stories of this stellar spanning TV series are showcased in a full color hardcover book, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episode Guide," written by Jason Fry and published by Dorling Kindersley or DK Books.Within the 232 pages of this book, readers young and old will find synopses of each episode in the 5 season cosmic conflict that commenced at the end of Mr. Lucas' 2002 movie, "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones," and came to its galaxy changing conclusion in "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," in 2005. It also includes the 2008 theatrical animated movie, titled simply "The Clone Wars," which offered audiences their first look at the "Star Wars" television series to come. A most notable feature of this book is the order in which each of the TV show's 108 episodes are arranged in the tome. Rather than being featured in the order they were originally broadcast on television's Cartoon Network, the episodes are listed in the order of their story continuity. Thus, the episode "Cat and Mouse," which premiered in Season 2 of the series, is revealed to be the first animated adventure of Anakin Skywalker and his clone troopers. The Season 1 episode, "The Hidden Enemy," comes next in the show's chronology, followed by the theatrical film. As the book explains in what it describes as a "Circular flash," a behind-the-scenes design element scattered throughout the book, "The Clone Wars" big screen movie "was created from what was originally intended to be the first three episodes of the television series." For this reason, the film has the longest guide entry at 4 pages.Each double paged episode listing features a vertical design of the show's title and the special "moral" text that begins the individual episodes. The 2 page spread showcases a number of images taken from the specific adventure overlaying a larger dramatic illustration. All the images are accompanied with informative text captions about the plot of the episode, "notable characters" and vehicles. At the bottom of the guide is production information about the particular show: episode number and season, airdate, director and writer. The episode entry also includes a quote from a character featured in the episode. This reviewer found the many entries achieved their purpose in providing information about the episodes but also thought the page design was a bit crowded and cluttered. Still, from an editorial standpoint it should be recognized that the book's writer, Mr. Fry, and his editors had 5 seasons of "Star Wars" tales to display witin the pages of a single volume. So, this critic understands the need to do a little cramming from page to page.Unfortunately as filled with details as "The Episode Guide" is, the book is published in the age of the internet, in which anyone with access to a computer or a smart phone can find the same amount of information about the series if not more by searching online. Another problem with the book are the circumstances surrounding the fate of Anakin and Ahsoka's CGI adventures at the end Season 5. As fans of the TV show know, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas sold the rights to "Star Wars" and his film company, Lucasfilm Limited, to the Walt Disney Company in October 2012. Following that stunning news, March 2013 saw this disappointing announcement from Lucasfilm:"After five highly successful and critically acclaimed seasons of 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars,' we feel the time has come to wind down the series."However this press release also included this tantalizing statement:"While the studio is no longer producing new episodes for Cartoon Network, we're continuing production on new 'Clone Wars' story arcs that promise to be some of the most thrilling adventures ever seen. Stay tuned for more information on where fans can find this bonus content."In the months that followed, more news was revealed about the future of the "Star Wars" Saga: the planning of a new film trilogy that would take place after "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi;" the first film being directed by J.J. Abrams, director of the "Star Trek" films released in 2009 and 2013. This next generation of the Saga is tentatively scheduled to be released in 2015. The production start of a new animated series, "Star Wars Rebels," which would take place between "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "Episode IV: A New Hope," with a planned premiere for 2014. Also the release of footage from some of the above-mentioned "Clone Wars story arcs" that continue the exploits of Anakin, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and Clone Captain Rex beyond Season 5 of the cancelled TV series.Like any popular legend, the "Star Wars" mythos continues to live and to grow. In the case of "The Clone Wars" animated series, it too will live on beyond the epic 5 seasons this ambitious book describes. In a "Twitter chat" to promote the book, its author Mr. Fry explained why the announced "Clone Wars story arcs" weren't featured in his book:"...the book wrapped before announcement. Plus physical books demand long lead times. We barely made it as it is."It should be noted, too, that as of the June 2013 publication of the book, no concrete information has been revealed as to how or when these 'lost episodes' will be released to an eagerly awaiting audience.Thus, the book is not a definitive guide of the CGI series. But as a record of the entire broadcast television series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episode Guide" is an invaluable single volume resource into the animated saga that added so much to the tales from "a galaxy far, far away." This reviewer can imagine countless "Star Wars" fans happily watching their favorite episodes of the show with this book lying open on their laps. Myself included.It is sincerely recommended.

When you're watching a popular series like "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (TCW), it's really hard to resist buying the various "episode guides" or "character encyclopedias" the publisher tries to ply while the show is still running. The trick is to wait until the series is over and a "complete" guide/encyclopedia is assembled before you finally fork over the cash.When TCW "ended" after its fifth season and Jason Fry's "Episode Guide" was announced "With All 108 Episodes of Seasons 1-5," I was excited to lay my hands on a copy. As other reviewers have said, the best thing about this guide is that it presents the episodes (and the TCW movie) in proper chronological order. Now, finally, you can watch everything and avoid the confusion that Cartoon Network viewers encountered on numerous occasions during the series' initial run.The first thing I did after buying this book was to rewatch the whole show, and after each episode, I'd read the corresponding write-up in Jason Fry's book. The thing I like most is that each write-up contains one or two "colored circles," which contain brief bits of interesting trivia from the episode that hearken back to previous episodes, or to the Original Trilogy or Prequel Trilogy movies.If I had one complaint, it is that each episode write-up is restricted to two pages. That means some pertinent information is often omitted. The problem is the book's size: It's a small 9.5 inches x 7.25 inches, compared with Fry's various Star Wars "Visual Guides," which are 11.25 inches square. If this "Episode Guide" was bumped up to the size of the "Visual Guides," there would be more space to add omitted episode information.And speaking of omissions, as of 2014, the "Episode Guide" unfortunately became "incomplete" with the release of TCW Season 6, "The Lost Missions," comprising 13 new episodes (17 if you include the "Crystal Crisis on Utapau," an arc composed of four unfinished episodes released on DVD/Blu-ray as completed animatics).Jason Fry's book is just too good to go unfinished at this point. I sincerely hope that the publisher, DK, gives him a green light to write up the Season 6 episodes, and that they upsize the book so he can include more information in Seasons 1-5. If they're going to do it, they may as well do a thorough job … or not do it at all.

Item is good. Timeline of series is nice to have, and the information and pictures inside are good.I do wish there was a little more room for each episode, as two pages on some episodes barely allows headshots of all the notable characters in the episode! Bought in used-good condition, and the seller was clearly overstating its condition, as there are several slices and gouges in the cover. Buy from Cory Corners Books only with caution!

I wish they had waited to publish this book until the series was completely released on DVD, but I suppose at the time it was written the plans for the video release of Season Six "The Lost Missions" were not in place. Despite not being complete, I would still recommend this book. It is very informative and has lots of background info and images from the episodes. DK's Star Wars books are the favorites in my library, and their innovative layouts are always interesting. If you are trying to remember a fact or character about a particular episode, this book would be a terrific reference.

Finally, an exact timeline of the Clone Wars show. Since half of season 3 jumped back and forth between events from the first two, we were all confused as to what happened before what. But this finally ends that confusion. Two pages for every episode, and 4 pages for the pilot film. Every episode page contains the opening quote, the airdate, the episode and season number, the director and writer(s) of the episode. Every page also summarizes the episode in 3 short paragraphs. It also gives you behind-the-scene facts and even points out small items that you would need a sharp eye in order to recognize. And of course, it comes with an index in the back. Extremely helpful and a must-have for all fans

This is a really good book it gives you a detailed breakdown of each episode and the correct viewing order.There are also little remarks detailing how the series ties in with the Star Wars movies and information regarding characters and vehicles featured in both the live action movie and the CGI series.A perfect companion for The Clone Wars series.

Good book looks of illustrations and interesting facts however its in chronological order which feels odd as when you watch the seasons that's not how you watch them its an interesting layout choice but I would prefer them in season order not a real problemjust a personal choice.

An amazing hardback book. An essential accessory for any Star Wars fan watching the Clone Wars. Gives the correct order to watch the series in too. Shame it does not have the final 6th season included but still 5 stars.

Excellent book. lovely feature of including th title card quotes. Just a shame it doesn't include the "Lost Missions" episodes.

My son, a clone wars fan, absolutely loves this book & has so much use from it. He loves reading about the episodes he has watched & I think it is a great way to encourage reading.