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Secrets of the Galaxy Guidebooks
The Rebel Files: Collected Intelligence of the Alliance
Branded as rebels and traitors, the members of the Alliance worked from 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 in the ruins of an abandoned rebel base, these files have been passed among 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. Within the case, an imbedded projection unit -- activated by the push of a button -- displays the Death Star plans plus a reconnaissance image of Death Star II. Unlock the secrets of the Rebel Alliance!
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 10, 2025
I have to say this was a very pleasant surprise. I don’t usually get the “declassified” books, but I thought I would give this one a try, and I really enjoyed it.
The book takes a behind the look at the Rebellion from it founders and upper echelon. These are the people who gave the commands and had to make the hard calls. I also liked the added annotations from current heroes and people in a new role now.
The book is in chronological order starting from the early days to the final go ahead of the second Death Star attack in Return of the Jedi. The book incorporates books, comics, and the movies in between. I love this continuity.
This is a very enjoyable read, and it gets better as the book goes on. We get the planning, propaganda, the fallout, and a look back on hindsight. It's much better than I expected it to be.
The book takes a behind the look at the Rebellion from it founders and upper echelon. These are the people who gave the commands and had to make the hard calls. I also liked the added annotations from current heroes and people in a new role now.
The book is in chronological order starting from the early days to the final go ahead of the second Death Star attack in Return of the Jedi. The book incorporates books, comics, and the movies in between. I love this continuity.
This is a very enjoyable read, and it gets better as the book goes on. We get the planning, propaganda, the fallout, and a look back on hindsight. It's much better than I expected it to be.
March 23, 2023
Maybe it's the lapsed historian in me but I love these reference books! I'm hopeful I can get my hands on the rest of Wallace's series.
August 24, 2018
Any Star Wars fan will enjoy The Rebel Files, but it's especially cool for those of us who have been working through everything in the new canon--novels, graphic novels, movies. This book is essentially a guide to all of the stories that have been accumulating in the new canon, showing how everything fits together in the chronology. Reading this felt like a bit of a reward for keeping track of so many different threads.
Besides that, however, The Rebel Files is also just a fun way to experience the Star Wars narrative, from the beginning of the Rebel Alliance through the second Death Star. There is a lot of focus on the Rebels/Rogue One events, which is my favorite era of Star Wars. It was particularly helpful to learn who all the people were at the Rebel briefing on Yavin 4 in Rogue One. That scene makes more sense to me now.
Because this book came out before Solo, there is a notable and strange absence of any mention of Crimson Dawn in the sections that talk about the bounty hunters guild. It would have been interesting to have that also be referenced here. There's no mention of Darth Maul at all, which seems odd. Wouldn't he have been discussed at some point during this timeline?
The frame of the book is that it's classified Rebel documents that are rediscovered by the Resistance, at some point before The Force Awakens. So in addition to the documents themselves, you also see annotations written in the margins by Leia, Ackbar, Holdo, Poe, Ematt, and Statura. Some of this commentary is quite amusing, though it doesn't give much more insight into the First Order/Resistance era.
Besides that, however, The Rebel Files is also just a fun way to experience the Star Wars narrative, from the beginning of the Rebel Alliance through the second Death Star. There is a lot of focus on the Rebels/Rogue One events, which is my favorite era of Star Wars. It was particularly helpful to learn who all the people were at the Rebel briefing on Yavin 4 in Rogue One. That scene makes more sense to me now.
Because this book came out before Solo, there is a notable and strange absence of any mention of Crimson Dawn in the sections that talk about the bounty hunters guild. It would have been interesting to have that also be referenced here. There's no mention of Darth Maul at all, which seems odd. Wouldn't he have been discussed at some point during this timeline?
The frame of the book is that it's classified Rebel documents that are rediscovered by the Resistance, at some point before The Force Awakens. So in addition to the documents themselves, you also see annotations written in the margins by Leia, Ackbar, Holdo, Poe, Ematt, and Statura. Some of this commentary is quite amusing, though it doesn't give much more insight into the First Order/Resistance era.
December 11, 2018
Una maravilla visual. Me encanta esta colección del mundo expandido de Star Wars, los tengo todos y son una delicia friki y de coleccionista.
En esta ocasión, los archivos rebeldes nos muestran cómo se fraguó la rebelión desde el inicio, pasando por pasajes emblemáticos de la saga mediante afiches, conversaciones, mapas y mil y un detalles visuales que me encantan. No llega al nivel de La senda Jedi o El libro de los Sith, pero es indispensable en la colección.
En esta ocasión, los archivos rebeldes nos muestran cómo se fraguó la rebelión desde el inicio, pasando por pasajes emblemáticos de la saga mediante afiches, conversaciones, mapas y mil y un detalles visuales que me encantan. No llega al nivel de La senda Jedi o El libro de los Sith, pero es indispensable en la colección.
August 24, 2020
The bare essentials.
February 23, 2019
This is probably the most uniquely formatted book I've read in the Star Wars titles. It offers a rarely-seen view of the Original Trilogy (and the related Disney-era Star Wars expansions) from the perspective of Mon Mothma. So you see the formation of the Rebel Alliance, and some of its early tensions and struggles, all through 'collected' documents and journal entries. It's a perspective of war that you don't often come across, and it works surprisingly well.
This is also a massive basket of Easter Eggs for Star Wars fans - it casually references people, places, and events from Disney Star Wars movies (Rogue One), animated series (Rebels), comics (Vader Down), and novels, all with cute little 'handwritten' notes from people like Leia, Holdo, Ackbar, and Poe Dameron. There were numerous references I wasn't familiar with, which make me think I have a lot more reading to do. But it also paints a pretty good look at what it must be like to lead the battle against such an unstoppable force as the Empire. Interesting, well-designed, and easy to pick up and put down, I highly recommend this to anyone who is more than a casual Star Wars fan.
This is also a massive basket of Easter Eggs for Star Wars fans - it casually references people, places, and events from Disney Star Wars movies (Rogue One), animated series (Rebels), comics (Vader Down), and novels, all with cute little 'handwritten' notes from people like Leia, Holdo, Ackbar, and Poe Dameron. There were numerous references I wasn't familiar with, which make me think I have a lot more reading to do. But it also paints a pretty good look at what it must be like to lead the battle against such an unstoppable force as the Empire. Interesting, well-designed, and easy to pick up and put down, I highly recommend this to anyone who is more than a casual Star Wars fan.
December 23, 2017
This book truly belongs with the others in this series. A lot of details, bridgeing the history and events of the Rebel Alliance.
January 16, 2023
girls (gn) when rebels mention
January 19, 2019
An archive of documents related to the Rebel Alliance is uncovered by Korr Sella and sent on to Leia. Those documents comprise this book, along with copious notes in the margins. Those notes are written by present day characters from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The comments speak to how the Rebellion's past is influencing the Resistance's present. Amilyn Holdo, Leia, Poe, Admiral Ackbar and others are the writers of these margin notes, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes ironic, the notes not only reflect on the characters current state and situations, but also what they were thinking at the time the original events took place.
The documents timeline begins with the formation of what would become the Rebel Alliance, around the time of the Petition of 2000. Mon Mothma and Leia are still Senators and the true horror of the Empire has not been revealed yet. We see the beginnings of Phoenix Squadron with Hera and her crew, and what Ahsoka reports back to Rebel Command about them and their successes. Then the flow changes course slightly and we learn about not only the ships and worlds that the Rebellion is planning to utilize, but also the arsenal the Empire is building. The focus shifts yet again to when Mon Monthma denounces the Empire in the Senate, is branded a traitor and forced to flea with Hera's help.
It is slowly becoming clear that the Empire is building some sort of super weapon, a planet killer. These documents take us into the era of Rogue One. We see not only Mon Mothma's initial disbelief in the Death Stars existence, but also all the information the Rebellion is compiling on the weapon, Krennic and Galen and Jyn Erso. We also see the establishment of the base on Yavin 4, complete with a cross section of the Temple and a report on the wildlife.
After the events of Rogue One the timeline progresses through the battle of Yavin to a pivotal moment, Mon Mothma's speech denouncing the Death Star and it's actions on Alderaan. It is at this moment when the Rebellion comes out of the shadows and steps into the light. In between Yavin and Hoth we learn about several operations that the Rebellion undertook, some successful, some not. I found this part of the book particularly intriguing because it was information I was not overly familiar with. From attempted prisoner extractions, to plans to take out Darth Vader, the Rebellion was active on a number of fronts.
The final stretch covers Hoth to a speech Mon Mothma gives right before the Battle of Endor, and that is where the book ends. I have to say, it is a bit abrupt, no postscript or appendix or anything, the narrative just stops. Overall though, the was a very well written book. It provided a lot of insight into the Rebellion, and Leia's Resistance against the First Order. Informative, entertaining, and at times so very sad, this book runs the gamut of emotions. I will say one thing though, ending it on Mon Mothma's speech may have been abrupt, but it left you with hope as a reader.
The documents timeline begins with the formation of what would become the Rebel Alliance, around the time of the Petition of 2000. Mon Mothma and Leia are still Senators and the true horror of the Empire has not been revealed yet. We see the beginnings of Phoenix Squadron with Hera and her crew, and what Ahsoka reports back to Rebel Command about them and their successes. Then the flow changes course slightly and we learn about not only the ships and worlds that the Rebellion is planning to utilize, but also the arsenal the Empire is building. The focus shifts yet again to when Mon Monthma denounces the Empire in the Senate, is branded a traitor and forced to flea with Hera's help.
It is slowly becoming clear that the Empire is building some sort of super weapon, a planet killer. These documents take us into the era of Rogue One. We see not only Mon Mothma's initial disbelief in the Death Stars existence, but also all the information the Rebellion is compiling on the weapon, Krennic and Galen and Jyn Erso. We also see the establishment of the base on Yavin 4, complete with a cross section of the Temple and a report on the wildlife.
After the events of Rogue One the timeline progresses through the battle of Yavin to a pivotal moment, Mon Mothma's speech denouncing the Death Star and it's actions on Alderaan. It is at this moment when the Rebellion comes out of the shadows and steps into the light. In between Yavin and Hoth we learn about several operations that the Rebellion undertook, some successful, some not. I found this part of the book particularly intriguing because it was information I was not overly familiar with. From attempted prisoner extractions, to plans to take out Darth Vader, the Rebellion was active on a number of fronts.
The final stretch covers Hoth to a speech Mon Mothma gives right before the Battle of Endor, and that is where the book ends. I have to say, it is a bit abrupt, no postscript or appendix or anything, the narrative just stops. Overall though, the was a very well written book. It provided a lot of insight into the Rebellion, and Leia's Resistance against the First Order. Informative, entertaining, and at times so very sad, this book runs the gamut of emotions. I will say one thing though, ending it on Mon Mothma's speech may have been abrupt, but it left you with hope as a reader.
November 22, 2023
Star Wars: The Rebel Files is an in-universe text written by a variety of leaders and figures within the Rebel Alliance but published in the real world by Titans Books and written by Daniel Wallace, who is a familiar name to those who have read other in-universe Star Wars titles by now. The book is a collection of files, holo-transcriptions, data, graphs, pictures, schematics, blueprints and more gathered by the Rebel Alliance prior to the formation of the Galactic Empire all the way through to its defeat at the Battle of Endor in the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Our primary voice in this collection of files is Mon Mothma as she forms, directs and shapes the Alliance into what we know it as in the original trilogy. We see her reactions to familiar events that occur within the movies, books and comic books and how the Rebels responded to such events. If you’re a fan of Mothma, the Disney+ Show Andor, Admiral Ackbar, Leia Organa or Rebel/ Empire warfare, then this book is going to spark your interest.
My favourite thing about The Rebel Files is how we are able to witness the fallout, reaction and next steps for the Rebels following different events. It is clear to the reader – so long as they are familiar with Star Wars canon – where and when certain Files are occurring and we are allowed an insight that we have not previously gotten. In particular, the scouting out of Echo Base, the lead-up to the Battle of Endor and the Imperial weapons schematics obtained and displayed within the Files are fascinating and just add another level of depth to the overall canon.
I do think an updated version is now due / will be due once the current run of Star Wars (2020), Darth Vader (2020) and Doctor Aphra (2020) comics finish, and Andor Season 2 releases, as to encompass the events of those comics as well, and to include the events surrounding Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, as well as the final season of Rebels which was barely mentioned considering the impact of the Ghost Crew.
I’d recommend this book if you’re familiar with Star Wars canon and would get a kick out of knowing how the Rebellion dealt with events and how its leadership prevailed under Imperial rule.
Our primary voice in this collection of files is Mon Mothma as she forms, directs and shapes the Alliance into what we know it as in the original trilogy. We see her reactions to familiar events that occur within the movies, books and comic books and how the Rebels responded to such events. If you’re a fan of Mothma, the Disney+ Show Andor, Admiral Ackbar, Leia Organa or Rebel/ Empire warfare, then this book is going to spark your interest.
My favourite thing about The Rebel Files is how we are able to witness the fallout, reaction and next steps for the Rebels following different events. It is clear to the reader – so long as they are familiar with Star Wars canon – where and when certain Files are occurring and we are allowed an insight that we have not previously gotten. In particular, the scouting out of Echo Base, the lead-up to the Battle of Endor and the Imperial weapons schematics obtained and displayed within the Files are fascinating and just add another level of depth to the overall canon.
I do think an updated version is now due / will be due once the current run of Star Wars (2020), Darth Vader (2020) and Doctor Aphra (2020) comics finish, and Andor Season 2 releases, as to encompass the events of those comics as well, and to include the events surrounding Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor, as well as the final season of Rebels which was barely mentioned considering the impact of the Ghost Crew.
I’d recommend this book if you’re familiar with Star Wars canon and would get a kick out of knowing how the Rebellion dealt with events and how its leadership prevailed under Imperial rule.
August 12, 2018
A very pleasant surprise! The guidebook series had been declining rapidly in quality since the Sith book, but imo this is the best so far. The text itself is very good and relevant, adding a bunch of detail that had been previously de-canonized with Legends and giving us a very interesting new perspective of the events we already know well in the Rebellion era. This covers from the early founding days to the day before Endor, for the curious. The wealth of details and little name drops and references are a feast for anyone who is well familiar with the Rebellion back from the Legends days, and I imagine it's a very good introduction to those who are not.
What set it apart from the other books in the series, however, was a (finally) fantastic use of the annotations concept. Instead of just big characters writing up obvious comments or call-outs to events we're all familiar with, Wallace decided to confine this book to the high ranking officers of the Resistance (+ Poe, probably on Leia's favor). The annotations here are almost more interesting than the book, with experienced characters adding their own memories and takes on the events while also offering us insight into how the Rebellion is being perceived by their spiritual successors over 30 years later.
An excellent addition to the new canon and a huge win for Wallace in my book.
What set it apart from the other books in the series, however, was a (finally) fantastic use of the annotations concept. Instead of just big characters writing up obvious comments or call-outs to events we're all familiar with, Wallace decided to confine this book to the high ranking officers of the Resistance (+ Poe, probably on Leia's favor). The annotations here are almost more interesting than the book, with experienced characters adding their own memories and takes on the events while also offering us insight into how the Rebellion is being perceived by their spiritual successors over 30 years later.
An excellent addition to the new canon and a huge win for Wallace in my book.
January 29, 2019
I was expecting The Rebel Files to be a weaker entry in the series of books, but I was wrong. This book has something that the other books all lack: a story line. We get introduced to Hendri Underholt, a trusted aide of Mon Mothma, and the book pretty much chronicles the Galactic Civil War through the eyes of the Rebel High command using news reports, top secret documents, and more. I like the way the book is formatted and that is is in order, from before the Battle of Yavin to the final days of the Empire. I really like how the book uses references and information from Rogue One, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and some books and comics to help expand the story. I gave the book four stars because there are some things that could've been added to make the book a little better, but this book was an overall great read for any Star Wars fan.
December 8, 2023
If you are considering this book, keep in mind it is not a novel. It is more like a combination of scrapbook and field guide that details the history of the rebellion against both the Empire and the First Order. It includes communications from characters like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa, news clippings and headlines from the Holonet, which was featured in the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series, and profiles on the various characters. It also has handwritten annotations from characters like Leia and Admiral Ackbar in the margins.
Because of the format, and the fact that it is under 200 pages, it is a very quick read and can easily be finished in a day or two. My only complaint is that some of the margin notes can be very hard to read, especially if you are at the point in life where you need reading glasses as the text is very small, and because it is supposed to be handwriting, it is not always very legible. Aside from that, however, it is worth checking out but not something most people are likely to read more than once.
Because of the format, and the fact that it is under 200 pages, it is a very quick read and can easily be finished in a day or two. My only complaint is that some of the margin notes can be very hard to read, especially if you are at the point in life where you need reading glasses as the text is very small, and because it is supposed to be handwriting, it is not always very legible. Aside from that, however, it is worth checking out but not something most people are likely to read more than once.
September 30, 2019
As ever Daniel Wallace wrote an excellent Star Wars companion book.
Written as an 'In-Universe' historical text, this book chronicles: the formation, operation and finally succes of the Rebel Alliance. Accompanied with plenty of artwork 'Hand Written' annotations of various well known SW character and written in a style all of it's own, this is a must read for any Star Wars fans.... Especially those with a love for the background and lore of this universe.
The standout points for this series* is the attention to detail and presentation form. You really feel as if this could be a historical document. The small callbacks strewn throughout the text really made my day.
A SW lore must read.
*Though not an official series Wallace did write a number of books in the same format an style. Other book are about: Sith, Jedi, The imperium and Bounty Hunters
Written as an 'In-Universe' historical text, this book chronicles: the formation, operation and finally succes of the Rebel Alliance. Accompanied with plenty of artwork 'Hand Written' annotations of various well known SW character and written in a style all of it's own, this is a must read for any Star Wars fans.... Especially those with a love for the background and lore of this universe.
The standout points for this series* is the attention to detail and presentation form. You really feel as if this could be a historical document. The small callbacks strewn throughout the text really made my day.
A SW lore must read.
*Though not an official series Wallace did write a number of books in the same format an style. Other book are about: Sith, Jedi, The imperium and Bounty Hunters
May 19, 2023
I give this 4.5 stars, rounded up to five. I love the Star Wars guidebook series, they’re my favorite Star Wars books. I love the references to Rebels and Rogue One, which prompted me to rewatch both. And of course, all of the artwork is amazing.
The only issue I had with this book is that it mentions Luke very little, and he had the most positive impact on the success of the Rebellion. Like please, give our boy the credit he deserves.
I also didn’t care for the references to the Sequels, since I despise the sequels, but some of the commentary from Poe was amusing. If you’re a newer Star Wars fan and you like a lot of the new stuff, you’ll like this book.
The only issue I had with this book is that it mentions Luke very little, and he had the most positive impact on the success of the Rebellion. Like please, give our boy the credit he deserves.
I also didn’t care for the references to the Sequels, since I despise the sequels, but some of the commentary from Poe was amusing. If you’re a newer Star Wars fan and you like a lot of the new stuff, you’ll like this book.
September 3, 2018
Another addition to the in-universe series of Star Wars 'declassified' books. Ties together all the events from the Original Trilogy movies, comics, novels and the Rebels animated series into one coherent narrative as seen from the eyes of the high command of the Rebel Alliance. A must-have for any bookworm who is also a Star Wars fan.
Like the previous books, this one is also available in the Vault edition with a packaging made to look like an armoured data case containing a book with pull outs or just a book-only edition (for those with a tight budget).
Like the previous books, this one is also available in the Vault edition with a packaging made to look like an armoured data case containing a book with pull outs or just a book-only edition (for those with a tight budget).
July 13, 2018
A cute little in-universe tome. It is a fun read though the marginal quips from the later resistance members leave a bit to be desired and detract from the book for me a little.
It didn't have the depth that I had hoped for, but it is an entertaining ride through the rebellion for younger readers.
It didn't have the depth that I had hoped for, but it is an entertaining ride through the rebellion for younger readers.
July 29, 2019
I love this series. This once was my least favorite. It seems disjointed and less enjoyable than the previous editions. The character notes weren't done as well as the other books, too often talking to each other conversationally rather than one person commenting on another's previous notes.
I'm still looking forward to the next book coming in the fall!!
I'm still looking forward to the next book coming in the fall!!
April 3, 2020
This is like the few year old general Star Wars books Book of Sith, The Jedi Path, and the Imperial Handbook, but from the Rebellion point of view from the movies now from before Episode 4 to Ep 6 - and including the Rebels cartoon and Rogue One. So in general great info, but definitely love it for the Rogue One stuff! :)
June 5, 2020
2020: A quarantine re-read out of desperation for non-fiction, mostly. Really enjoyable if you’re looking for this sort of thing, a kid-friendly reference book-meets-narrative. I really enjoyed the notes from Poe and Holdo. I wish there had been some more about the aftermath of ROTJ.
May 16, 2021
This is an "in universe" guide showing the formation of the Rebellion all the way to the Battle of Hoth. I really enjoyed all the character notations and seeing how research was cultivated from comics and novels.
September 25, 2018
A good read, with fillers for the original movie, but a little confusing and hard to read. For a true fan of the movies it has some background.
October 9, 2018
it was an interesting read, it was like you were reading something that was found after the rebellion was over for awhile
December 30, 2018
Is there a sequel? This was fantastic. Longer review to come.
November 6, 2019
A fun read, but felt like a source book for an RPG without game stats. I like that it tied the new books, comics, and animated shows in with the movies.
March 2, 2020
Good read, it gave an in-depth description of everything the rebels did. And it's all canon, which I don't really like, but it's still very good.
November 8, 2021
very fun and loved the tie-ins to other canon properties
January 7, 2022
A behind the scenes look into the Rebellion that pulls together legends and canon to show how everything fits together. I enjoyed this read.
February 26, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. It provided me woth expanded information about what was going on in the Rebel High Command and backgrounds of the original trilogy. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews