Star Wars: Star Pilots is a long-awaited event of a book for me! And I assume it is so for probably just about everyone who has read Dr. Chris Kempshall’s The History and Politics of Star Wars and Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire.
This review is spoiler-FREE!
Told through the eyes of legendary pilot Wedge Antilles, Star Pilots gives you an invaluable in-universe memoir of an average person who followed his instincts and moral compass, strove to make a difference, and witnessed firsthand some of the most important galaxy-shaping events.
Dr. Chris Kempshall: a galactic historian
When I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Kempshall at Star Wars Celebration Japan in April 2025, I was already a fan of his. Let me tell you why.
For me, Star Wars is much more than spectacular sci-fi entertainment, more than a favourite film franchise, and certainly more than merch and collectibles.
The heart and soul of Star Wars are the people behind it, the artistry and the craft they put in the stories they tell, their personal voices, their messages.
I really do appreciate when a certain work reminds us how powerful and meaningful Star Wars storytelling can be. And this is exactly what Chris does in his works!
I always keep an eye out for academic research and in-depth analysis of Star Wars, so I was well aware of The History and Politics of Star Wars. It had been high on my wishlist for some time, and I eventually managed to get it in Poland.
Then Chris’s licensed Star Wars book came along. The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire turned out to be a masterful blend of actual historical approach and deep-cut Star Wars lore exploration! And who better to deliver such a book than a hardcore fan with a PhD in History and an obvious writing talent?
The in-universe author of The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire is Beaumont Kin – Dominic Monaghan’s character from The Rise of Skywalker. You know the guy – “Dark science. Cloning. Secrets only the Sith knew.”
The book itself was an intricate autopsy of the Empire’s cruel regime, and encouraged readers to draw a harsh (and sometimes all too obvious) parallel between the dark Sith-led dictatorship of a faraway galaxy and our own reality.
Much like Andor, the book dealt with abuse of power, propaganda, brainwashing, division and mass manipulation of the population, decaying moral principles, rising corruption, serving corporate interests…
I was hoping that despite its unusual narrator and not being your typical Star Wars novel, the book would be well-received and more would follow.
“Are you working on anything at the moment?”, I asked Chris some months ago. “We’ll have to wait and see regarding anything new from me!”, he answered.
Then our chat continued with me telling him in detail about my meeting with actor Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles) at the 2026 edition of Pyrkon, an annual Polish convention based in Poznań.
I went on and on about my time with the man who played Wedge Antilles… never suspecting that in the meantime Chris was wrapping up a book written from the point of view of Wedge himself!
What kind of book is Star Pilots?
If you have read Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire, then you know that you are in for a real treat! Star Pilots is 400+ pages of what I would describe as fictional non-fiction.
This is not the first time we see something like this. At this point we have had anything from academic examination of propaganda (Star Wars Propaganda: A History of Persuasive Art in the Galaxy), through character diaries (and even Sabine Wren’s sketchbook!), to tourist guides and recipes (Galaxy’s Edge: Traveler’s Guide to Batuu and Star Wars: The Life Day Cookbook to name a few).
Dr. Kempshall’s work, however, is on another level. Star Pilots is a highly immersive read, textual worldbuilding at its best. This is the kind of book you would read if you were a history student at some university a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.
This is what an actual memoir from a war veteran would look like if that veteran had fought in the Galactic Civil War, had remained vigilant after the fall of the Empire, and had taken part in the Resistance against the First Order all the way through the Battle of Exegol.
The devil is in the details
What is more, the book goes well beyond Wedge’s personal point of view. The in-universe author has access to various sources, and he does his own deep dive into the events.
There are archival records and interviews which Wedge incorporates in his work. From fellow pilots and galactic politicians, to obscure fan favorite glup shittos.
And every little detail leads to stories we have read, watched, or experienced in one way or another. Everything is really well thought out and smoothly incorporated into the narrative to make it as integrated as possible into the rich tapestry of the Star Wars chronology, with more than a few winks and nods to the Legends as well.
Not simply a long list of cameos and easter eggs
I’d say fans of the X-wing flight simulator series, the Rogue Sqadron video games and the X-wing novels and comics from the 90s and ealry 2000s would be especially thrilled to read this book.
Members of various squadrons and legendary pilots of numerous battles have made it into the book and many of them feel more real and grounded as characters than ever.
Dr. Kempshall has outdone himself when it comes to research and pays an incredible homage to Star Wars pilot stories of the past. The amount of detail and reference is simply astounding.
Dr. Kempshall explores characters who have long been but a footnote in galactic history. Pilots that have been generally known only by their helmets and call signs are here fleshed out as individuals.
The hidden little stories behind the countless battles have finally been brought to light, making each loss more personal, each sacrifice more meaningful, heroic and ultimately more heartbreaking.
Final thoughts & review card
Star Pilots is both inspired and inspiring. Most of all, it is a book about what it is like to be an active part of the fight against evil and tyranny, not knowing if you’d live to see the triumph of what you fight for.
You may be just one man, and it might feel hopeless at times, but you are part of something bigger than yourself, your actions do matter, you are able to make a difference. And it remains highly entertaining all the way through!
Star Wars: star pilots: A History of Space Combat
Format
Hardcover
ERA:
Multiple Eras
Publisher:
DK Publishing
RELEASED:
October 1, 2026
LENGTH:
416 pages
WRITER:
Dr. Chris Kempshall
COVER:
Gilles Warmoes
For:
Fans of Wedge Antilles, The X-wing series, Star Wars: Squadrons
Similar:
Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire
Strengths
Strong world-building and deep dive into lore and the pilots’ experience
Exciting perspective on galactic events
Intriguing real-world parallels and powerful messages
Weaknesses
Sometimes feels quite familiar if you know your galactic history
Could bring back into Canon some more beloved Legends pilots
Ratings
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