The lengths to which the underworld will go for a legendary prize is unparalleled. What started as a simple logbook with a piece of valuable information was soon stolen, traded, and smuggled around the outer rim and shady ports. With each pirate, thief, gambler, and criminal who took possession of the book, new insight and details were added, creating the Smuggler's Guide - a coveted collection of hidden treasure locations, advice, and hard-earned data. Recovered from a strong box on the Millenium Falcon, the Smuggler's Guide traces its own extraordinary journey through such notorious characters as Maz Kanata, Hondo Ohnaka, Drydon Vos, Lando Calrissian, and Han Solo. Explore previously unknown details about the underhanded dealings of the galaxy's underworld.

The secrets of the Star Wars galaxy have been recorded in a series of handbooks and guides created and kept hidden by the Jedi Order, the Sith, the Bounty Hunters Guild, and the Empire itself. This set collects all four richly illustrated, in-world books in a custom slipcased library The Jedi Path From lightsaber combat to mastery of the Force, this manual as handed down from Master to Padawan presents the secrets of the Jedi Order. The knowledge and training contained within its pages have shaped such Jedi as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin and Luke Skywalker. The Book of Sith Fragments of five presumed-vanished texts by legendary Sith Lords have been tracked down and collected. Together with Darth Sidious's own manifesto, these documents provide a glimpse into the philosophy and the means of unleashing the power of the dark side. Discover the secrets and tactics of Boba Fett and other bounty hunters living on the margins of galactic law this volume collecting The Bounty Hunters Guild Handbook and a recruiting booklet from the secretive Mandalorian splinter group Death Watch, all annotated by Fett and the book's previous owners. Imperial Handbook Intercepted by the Rebel Alliance, this top-secret manual for Imperial commanders contains mission reports, military tactics, and other classified documents created by high-ranking officers. Analyzed by Rebel commanders, it holds the keys to understanding the Empire's power no matter which side of the Rebellion you are on.

Go under the hood of Batman's iconic vehicle in this user's manual for the Batmobile. Ever since its first appearance in the pages of Detective Comics back in 1939, the Batmobile has captured the imaginations of fans around the world, becoming an essential component of the Dark Knight's crime-fighting arsenal. This user's manual reveals the secrets behind the most iconic versions of the Batmobile across decades of comics and films, giving readers a never-before-seen look at the most beloved vehicle in pop culture. Featuring detailed cutaways, schematics, blueprints, and more, this book is full of original art, giving fans the most detailed exploration of the Batmobile to date. A definitive volume, Batmobile Owner's Manual examines the vehicle's many iterations throughout Batman's history, from films such as Batman (1989), The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, to graphic novels including The Dark Knight Returns and the most current run of Batman comics. An immersive, must-have collectible, Batmobile Owner's Manual will reveal the technological wonders behind the most awe-inspiring, powerful, and feared vehicle in Gotham City.

Branded as rebels and traitors, the members of the Alliance worked in the shadows, gathering information and support from across the galaxy to bring an end to the Empire's tyranny. Concealed within a secure case, their most vital and sensitive information was collected by one of Mon Mothma's most trusted aides and kept hidden until now. Discovered by the Resistance in the ruins of an old rebel base, these files have been passed among key members of the Resistance, who have added notes, updates, and new insights to the documents. A repository of Alliance intelligence, The Rebel Files weaves together classified documents, intercepted transmissions, and gathered communications to trace the formation of the Rebel Alliance. Unlock the secrets of the Rebel Alliance.

Who you gonna call? This deluxe book celebrates three decades of ghostbusting fun, exploring all aspects of the ever-popular phenomenon. Covering the production of the first two Ghostbusters movies in great detail, including rare behind-the-scenes pictures and in-depth commentary from cast and crew, the book will also take in the expanded Ghostbusters universe, from cartoons to comics, toys, and video games. The last word on the Ghostbusters franchise.

The Sith have existed in the galaxy for centuries, lurking, waiting for their chance to seize control. In his quest for domination, Darth Sidious tracked down five pivotal Sith texts written by his most powerful predecessors. Then, drawing on the knowledge within the compiled pages, he wrote a sixth text - his own manifesto. Together, these documents shed light on the philosophy, achievements, and failures of the Sith Order.

Set in-world, Star Wars: The Imperial Handbook shares the knowledge of a newly promoted Commander in the Imperial Military, providing a comprehensive overview of the Imperial war machine. After the Battle of Endor, the guide fell into the hands of the Rebel Alliance who provide handwritten annotations. Writers and annotators include Emperor Palpatine, Admiral Yularen, Wedge Antilles, and Han Solo.

Explore the creation of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Netflix's highly-anticipated new prequel series from The Jim Henson Company, with this all-access look at the show's journey to the screen. Set many years before the events of The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson's classic 1982 movie, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance returns to the world of Thra with an all-new adventure. When three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis' power, they set out on an epic journey to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world. Revealing the incredible creative process behind the new series, this book will show how Jim Henson's Creature Shop, legendary character and costume designer Brian Froud, and director Louis Leterrier brought Thra and its characters to life alongside the artists and puppeteers who are continuing the legacy of the original film. Filled with exclusive cast and crew interviews, concept art, set photography, puppet designs and more, this is the definitive exploration of The Jim Henson Company's epic return to Thra.

This ancient training manual, crafted by early Jedi Masters, has educated and enlightened generations of Jedi. It explains the history and hierarchy of the Jedi Order, and what Jedi must know to take their place as defenders of the peace in the galaxy - from mastery of the Force to the nuances of lightsaber combat. A single copy of this manual has survived. It is now passed on to you...

Explore the epic art of Pacific Rim Uprising, the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2013 monster hit. The Art and Making of Pacific Rim Uprising takes readers behind the scenes and back into the heart of the epic battle between Kaiju and Jaegers. Showcasing the brilliant concept art behind the film and immersing fans in the creation of a true sci-fi epic, this book will be the ultimate exploration of one of the most anticipated films of 2018. Directed by Steven S. DeKnight, (Angel, Smallville, Daredevil), Pacific Rim Uprising stars John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious), and newcomer Cailee Spaeny.

OFFICIAL STAR WARS IN-UNIVERSE BOOK FEATURING NOTES ON TACTICS, ARMOR, AND VALOR FROM GALACTIC CONFLICTS IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE From the Clone Wars and the Rebellion to the clashes with the First Order, the galaxy is defined by war. Star Wars: On the Front Lines chronicles the tactics, weapons, and armor used in pivotal battles along with acts of valor achieved during the campaign. By focusing on elements of the battles that occurred "off screen," this collection brings the struggles faced by ground soldiers and starfighter pilots to life like never before, placing the reader on the battlelines. With full-spread, classic illustrations that capture the sweeping scale of these historical battles, On the Front Lines brings a fresh look at the forces who fought on the front lines.

A stunning hardcover companion to gen:LOCK, the latest animated show from Rooster Teeth, creators of RWBY! A stunning hardcover companion to the latest animated show from Rooster Teeth, the creators of RWBY! Go behind the scenes with exclusive commentary from the writers, animators, creators, and artists of gen:LOCK. Featuring full-color artwork from the show and sketches and notes about the development of the series that you won't find anywhere else!

This enthralling look at the World of Warcraft film gives fans an immersive, behind-the-scenes account of the making of the most anticipated movie of 2016. Utilizing unit photography; concept, set, and production art: and detailed breakdowns of the costumes and weapons of the Alliance and Horde, this visual marvel provides the ultimate in-depth experience behind the creation of Azeroth and legendary characters Durotan and Lothar.

The official behind-the-scenes guide to the acclaimed animated series. The definitive companion to the hit animated series, The World of RWBY is the ultimate celebration of a pop-culture phenomenon. Go behind the scenes with exclusive commentary from Rooster Teeth and explore the show's creation through in-depth interviews with the writers, animators and voice artists. With comprehensive analysis of key characters and iconic episodes, and showcasing stunning visuals from the series, this is the must-have book for RWBY fans around the world.

Passed down from Master to apprentice, The Jedi Path is an ancient training manual that has educated and enlightened generations of Jedi. Within its pages, the Jedi-intraining will discover the history and lore of the Jedi Order, the ways of the Force and how to wield it, the subtle nuances of lightsaber combat, and the dangers of the Dark Side. The only remaining copy in existence, this hallowed tome features handwritten annotated notes by Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Count Dooku, and Darth Sidious, among many others. Created in collaboration with Lucasfilm along with an acclaimed Star Wars author and revered Star Wars illustrators this volume also introduces never-before-seen ships, creatures, characters, and details about the Star Wars galaxy.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? The Ghostbusters saga has been thrilling fans around the world for over three decades, from the original movies to the animated shows, comics, video games, toys, and other collectibles. For the first time, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History takes a comprehensive look at the entire franchise, telling the complete story behind the creation of a true pop culture phenomenon. Beginning with an in-depth look at the original film, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History delves into the archives to showcase a wealth of never-before-seen concept art and photography that will take fans into the production of a true classic. Also featuring a large section on Ghostbusters II, the book brings together exclusive interviews with the key players from both films, including director Ivan Reitman; stars Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver; and producers Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck. The book also explores the creation of The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters animated shows, featuring interviews with the writers, animators, and voice artists, plus previously unseen sketches, animation cels, and other stunning visuals. With additional sections on Ghostbusters comics, video games, merchandise, and fandom, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History is the last word on one of the most popular franchises of all time. ALSO INCLUDES INCREDIBLE SPECIAL ITEMS THAT WILL THRILL GHOSTBUSTERS FANS, INCLUDING: -Peter Venkman's business card -Sedgewick Hotel storyboard booklet -Rare concept art sketches of ghostbusting gadgets -Stay Puft Marshmallow Man package sticker -Production notes -A schematic of the Gozer temple miniature Ghostbusters TM & (c) 2015 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.

THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE GUIDE TO A SPACE FANTASY PHENOMENON

The "Star Wars" universe, much like our own, is constantly expanding. In the ten years since the publication of the "Star Wars Encyclopedia, " a lot has happened in that galaxy far, far away: four new feature films, a host of official original novels, comics, video games, and more. Now, thirty years of information on all things "Star Wars"-ranging from science and technology to history and geography, culture and biography to ecology and cosmology-has been supplemented with an entire decade's worth of all-new material. Abundantly illustrated with full-color artwork and photos, and now in a new three-volume edition to accommodate its wealth of detailed entries, the "Star Wars Encyclopedia "encompasses the full measure of George Lucas's creation.
Here's just a sampling of what's inside:
- character portraits of both the renowned (Luke Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Darth Vader) and the obscure (Tnun Bdu, Tycho Celchu, Bib Fortuna)
- the natives and customs of planets as diverse as Tatooine and Hoth, Dagobah and Kashyyyk
- the rituals, secrets, and traditions of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords
- a timeline of major events in "Star Wars" history, from the Clone Wars and the inception of the Empire to the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and the invasion of the monstrous Yuuzhan Vong
Scrupulously researched and written by leading authorities Stephen J. Sansweet, Pablo Hidalgo, Bob Vitas, and Daniel Wallace, this landmark work is the must-have centerpiece of every "Star Wars" library.

** A MAJOR TIM BURTON FILM starring Ewan Mcgregor and Jessica Lange ** ** COMING SOON AS A MUSICAL starring Kelsey Grammer ** Do you ever really know your father? Like many sons, William Bloom never really knew his father. Edward told him stories too incredible to believe about his exploits as a younger man, but any attempt to find out serious truths have been met with laughter and brush-offs. And that never mattered. But now Edward is dying, suddenly it matters a great deal. So William sets out to tell his father's story, as he imagines it. He tames a giant, is dragged by an enormous fish through a lake and escapes a purgatory of lost dreams. Through legends and myths, William makes Edward into a true Big Fish. The much beloved book by Daniel Wallace is soon to be a Christmas musical at The Other Palace in London. Praise for Big Fish: 'Daniel Wallace has created a jewel in Big Fish' Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump 'Both comic and poignant' New York Times 'An audacious, highly original debut novel. . . An imaginative, and moving, record of a son's love for a charming, unknowable father' Kirkus Reviews 'Refreshing, original. . . Wallace mixes the mundane and the mythical. His chapters have the transformative quality of fable and fairy tale' Publishers Weekly, starred review

Why does North Korea consistently turn to provocative actions to achieve foreign policy goals? Are the actions of the Kim regime predictable or based on logical responses to the conditions faced by North Korea? In an examination of North Korean conflict over the past 50 years, this research is an effort to explain why the DPRK consistently uses conflict and force to interact with other states. Surprisingly, this type of research is rare due to the perceived lack of information on this isolated state, yet information is readily available to understand the ruling Kim regime's foreign policy activities. Using three case studies and quantitative analysis of over 2,000 conflict events, his study examines the relationship between North Korea's societal conditions and its propensity to engage in external conflict. These findings are viewed through the lens of diversionary theory, the idea that leaders use external conflict to ""divert"" domestic attention, as a possible explanation. By examining the actions of an isolated state such as North Korea and providing a template for conflict scholarship in general, this study provides an original perspective on how explain the intricate relationships between state-level activities and external conflict. This research provides insight into this reclusive nation and the Kim regime's volatile relationship with the international community.

Discover more than 50 lightsabers from the golden age of the Jedi with this essential guide to the elegant weapons from Star Wars: The High Republic. A follow-up to the bestselling Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, this exciting volume is an exploration of High Republic hilts, including designs that are illustrated in a photo-real manner for the first time. A must-have resource for fans, this reference book is a fine addition to any The High Republic collection.

From Vernestra Rwoh’s unique lightwhip and Stellan Gios’ ornate crossguard lightsaber to Burryaga’s broadsword-like hilt, the signature weapon of the Star Wars galaxy has never looked so elegant as it does during the prosperous era of the High Republic.

Star Wars: The High Republic: The Lightsaber Collection is an essential visual guide and exploration of the numerous lightsabers found within The High Republic saga, featuring hilts from publishing, animation, and VR, many of which have never been illustrated in a photo-real style before.

As a follow-up to Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, each spread contains a detailed illustration of the featured lightsaber, allowing readers to see the intricate detail in the hilts and the brilliance of each energy blade. The perfect reference book for fans, model builders, and collectors, this striking companion is a must-have for readers looking to discover more about legendary lightsabers from a fascinating period in Star Wars history.

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN ILLUSTRATIONS: See lightsabers from comics and novels, many visually realized in detail for the first time, with brilliant full-color artwork

WEAPONS OF THE JEDI GOLDEN AGE: Learn about the elegant weapons wielded by Jedi Masters, Knights, and Padawans like Stellan Gios, Vernestra Rwoh, Avar Kriss, Porter Engle, Burryaga and more.

ESSENTIAL GUIDE: Includes more than 50 lightsabers from the High Republic era.

GREAT GIFT: Visually stunning and intricately detailed, this book is the perfect gift for the Star Wars fan in your life.

A FINE ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION: Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection and Star Wars: The High Republic: Chronicles of the Jedi also available from Insight Editions

In his prime, Edward Bloom was an extraordinary man. He could outrun anybody. He never missed a day of school. He saved lives and tamed giants. Animals loved him, people loved him, women loved him. He knew more jokes than any man alive. At least that s what he told his son, William. But now Edward Bloom is dying, and William wants desperately to know the truth about his elusive father this indefatigable teller of tall tales before it s too late. So, using the few facts he knows, William re-creates Edward s life in a series of legends and myths, through which he begins to understand his father s great feats, and his great failings. The result is hilarious and wrenching, tender and outrageous."