One of my favorite things about Star Wars are the ships and vehicles, so its no surprise that Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections has become one of my favorite books. The book is only 32 pages long, with each ship or vehicle taking up 2 pages, but it covers the more famous ones. A few included are the Millennium Falcon, Sandcrawler, AT-AT, and a few of the fighters. The details in the art are absolutely amazing, giving the reader an inside look at the design and function of the vehicles and ships.

Each page also includes detailed descriptions of each mode of transportation (or destruction).  It was interesting to learn that TIE fighters were built without landing gear, designed to reduce mass for maximum maneuverability, and also so that they can only land in a Star Destroyer’s hangar, to teach the pilots complete dependence on the authority of the Empire.

Full of interesting information and beautifully intricate drawings of some of the coolest ships and vehicles in Star Wars, this book is perfect for any fan looking to build their own X-Wing, get an inside look, or expand their collection.

[Editor’s note: Previously, we had reviewed Episode I: Incredible Cross-Sections from the same series. Also, this is the first post on GalaxyFarAway.com by our newest contributor, Darth Rand!]

Are you an avid gamer, collector, expanded universe fan? Crazy about all things Star Wars? This is an open call for contributors to GalaxyFarAway.com. Some web and writing experience preferred. Geeky perks, geek cred guaranteed. Email me for more information if you are interested.

We have updated our image gallery and merged its design with the rest of the web site. Hope you enjoy it, and let me know what else you would like to see in the gallery.

This section has been neglected for a little while, but as part of the current redesign, I am bringing it back in to the fold. Here is a list of all the reviews available here at GalaxyFarAway.com Books. Except where noted, all reviews are by our former Star Wars Book Chick Karen. Also, we have a useful timeline to figure out the order in which the books occur in the Star Wars universe.

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In November, I went to see Star Wars in Concert here in Boston at the Garden and it was a treat. It was a live concert, hosted by Anthony Daniels (C3PO), set to video and effects. The concert took us through the entire saga, with Daniels introducing each bit.

The best part was the kids in the audience and the extraordinary time they were having. So many of them were dressed up in costumes. The new Clone Wars TV series has reignited the passion in a new generation.

Here I am with my 10-year old Darth Maul t-shirt. (And here I am with the same t-shirt at the opening of Episode I in India 10 years ago):

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Avatar has probably changed what people expect from movies. But what has it changed for Star Wars fans? Here are the top five things Avatar has changed for Star Wars Fans:

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Happy Life Day, and happy holidays from GFA and these folks hanging out in my tree.

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It’s official. Celebration 5 will be in Orlando in August 2010. Not the best combination of time and location—it will be unbearably hot.

Four day adult passes are $120, four day kids are $50, and they have single day admissions as well. I had been to Celebration II (Indianapolis 2002) and it was one of the most fun things I’ve done.

From starwars.com:

Star Wars Celebration V will take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. A website, www.starwarscelebration.com, is dedicated exclusively to the event, and tickets to Star Wars Celebration V will be available for purchase online starting Thursday, December 10th. As always, Celebration will bring together the best of the Star Wars universe in one exciting, dynamic event!

Will you be there?

UPDATE: Tickets now on sale.

Based on requests from readers, the following new sounds to the sound archive:

• hansolo-use_a_good_kiss.mp3(36kb) – "You can use a good kiss"
• vader-he_will_join_us_or_die.mp3(80kb) – "He will join us or die, master."
• yoda-help_you_i_can.mp3(60kb)- "Help you I can. Yes, mmmm!"
• yoda-wars_not_make_one_great.mp3(140kb)- "Great Warrior. Wars not make one great"
• AT-AT_walking.mp3 (12kb) – AT-AT walking sound.

So how does one spend an idle Friday evening, armed with a camera, some action figures and a poor imagination? Behold:

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An amazing series of scans on Flickr from user Drhaggis that show an old 1982 Mad Magazine humorous article that predicts several events that came in the prequels almost 20 years later. It talks about Yoda on Kashyyk, the creation of C3PO, Vader being created by the force and so much more.

And on the guitar, from the great dunes of Tatooine, the great wamp-rat slayer Luke Skywalker! That’s Leia on the vocals, Chewy on the drums. I’d pay a lot to see them live.

Lately StarWarsShop.com has been coming up with all kinds of crazy merchandise. I like it, but sometimes maybe they overdo it. Like these Star Wars Rocks boxer shorts. Seriously.

[From StarWarsShop.com – Star Wars Rocks Shirt]

We now have a Facebook page and a Twitter feed. The Facebook page is just a gathering place for Star Wars (and GFA) fans. The twitter feed will have short bursts of Star Wars news, facts and thoughts. More coming soon, as we gear up for the 10th anniversary of GalaxyFarAway.com next month.

(Note: We’ve always had an RSS feed if you want to follow GFA in your favorite feed reader.)

Wait, there’s a new Star Wars television series?

Yes! It’s an animated series called Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And it starts airing October 2008

What is Star Wars: The Clone Wars?

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated film based on events of the between Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. It is set during the events of the clone wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems led by Count Dooku and the Galactic Republic. The plot follows Anakin and Obi-Wan as they investigate the kidnapping of a certain famous Hutt’s son which ends up revealing a much deeper conspiracy to take down the republic.