As an avid Star Wars reader I'm glad Kevin Anderson is no longer writing books in the expanded universe as he's among the worst writers I've read (I've read everything that took place after the Battle of Yavin - less interested in all the prequel stories). While Timothy Zahn will always be the first and best at this, there are others who can combine subtlety with humor and action and make it all believable (witness the X-wing series). Anderson is heavy handed and has come up with some of the most ridiculous plot twists and farcical characters out there. While there are some threads through the entire expanded universe that are intro'd or addressed here, borrow his books from the library and return them when done - save your money for other SW books.