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Star Wars Books 2010 Preview: Jedi Path
by Inger Fountain

There are already enough books and comics bearing the name Star Wars to fill a large library, so its always intriguing to see what publishing houses will come up with next. The Jedi Path book, subtitled A Manual for Students of the Force, is one of the most original to come along in a while.Due for release in late September 2010 the book will come in two formats, a regular edition and a collector's version also known as The Vault Edition. The Vault Edition is the one that fans will clamour for. I'm sure the book has enough merits to stand on its own as a valuable addition to the lexicon of Star Wars lore but the Vault Edition just looks cool!

Checking out the preview on Amazon.com, you can watch the short video about the book including a stirring video, complete with Old Obi Wan voiceover and John Williams' Binary Sunset music (which are great purchasing motivators in their own right-"You must do what you feel is right, of course"). But it is the actual "Vault" element that will draw fans like flies to Bantha poodo.

The vault is meant to protect the sole remaining copy of the Jedi Manual that survived the Order 66 purge lead Darth Vader. It's kind of like Star Wars meets Indiana Jones - a brushed aluminium box opens at the click of a button and reveals a tray that automatically lifts up the book, surrounded by blue light. This movement is accompanied by a noise only Ben Burtt could make that sounds strangely like the love-child of R2-D2 and Pixar's Wall-e.

Inside the book is a guide to the Jedi way including ships, creatures, the history of the Jedi Order, how to feel the Force, the nuances of lightsaber combat, what to do (focus, feel the force) and what not to do (try and save a loved one from death) in order to be a fully realised Jedi.

The vault also comes with a few extra goodies, sure to amp up the geek interest- a letter that outlines the book's history, a Padawan hair braid, a metal Jedi Credit medallion, a Jedi starfighter patch, a piece of burned poster of the Jedi Code, a map of the Jedi Temple, a lightsaber diagram sketched on the back of a napkin from Dex's Diner, and a note on the missing pages torn from the book by a Sith.

Overall it looks like a cool book that may appeal to hardened fans but perhaps not casual fans who may jettison the $100 price tag and be perfectly satisfied with the regular version of the book.

Inger loves stories and loves to write. As a librarian in a previous life she also has an insatiable thirst for general knowledge. You can visit her latest websites which take a look at the best wooden castle toys and puppets for kids.

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