Recently, I finally began to start reading the Dark Nest series. The trilogy had been sitting on my shelf for awhile while I was busy reading other books, including some other SW EU Books like Dark Lord. I was immediately engrossed in the first book within the initial pages. But as I read on, there were many references that were somewhat vague or unfamiliar to me. Even some things I was fully aware of, like the mission to Myrkyr in the NJO were still sketchy in my mind.

But not to fear! I looked up a few key things in the NEC, especially entries focusing on the Chiss. Within a few minutes I was fully briefed on the connections from previous EU that had made their way into Dark Nest. It was then that I realized the true value of the NEC, not just as a total compendium of the EU and films, but as an awesome reference tool. It makes for great light reading as well, as I can pick it up during breakfast or brush up on the Clone Wars after dinner.

Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written, the NEC is incredibly entertaining and invaluable to EU fans everywhere. I highly recommend it, and now that it's updated with ROTS info, it's a fairly complete account of everything that has been dealt with in the films as well as the current EU.

Update: I recently discovered this online article, "Endnotes For The NEC". Basically, it runs through the whole book and explains where all the information is complied from and what EU material to read if you'd like more information on a particular era/event. I highly recomment printing it all out, stapling it together, and sliding it in your copy of the NEC. It's valuable. So if you're reading about the early life of Han Solo, and would like to read further, by looking up the Han article in the endnotes you'll see exactly what you need to buy and read.

http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/ref/f20051025/index.html