The Illustrated Star Wars Universe The Illustrated Star Wars Universe is a book featuring the art of Ralph McQuarrie and text by Kevin J . Anderson . The artwork is primarily composed of reused and re - purposed concept art from the making of the original trilogy . In addition to McQuarrie ' s art , the book also includes the work of other concept artists , including Michael Butkus , Harrison Ellenshaw , Chris Evans , Nilo Rodis - Jamero , Joe Johnston , Michael Pangrazio and Norman Reynolds . The book focuses on eight major planets from the trilogy , and the text explores each planet with great detail , written from the perspective of a number of in - universe chroniclers . Publisher ' s summary . " Experience the " Star Wars " universe as you never have before in this stunning visual journey that carries you to the farthest reaches — and into the deepest mysteries — of George Lucas ' s cinematic masterpiece . Ralph McQuarrie , the legendary main concept artist for all three " Star Wars " films , and Kevin J . Anderson , the " New York Times " best - selling " Star Wars " author , present the ultimate voyage : a vivid and close - up look at the exotic worlds and remarkable inhabitants of the " Star Wars " universe , including two dozen paintings by Ralph McQuarrie , commissioned especially for these pages . " " The breathtaking artwork of McQuarrie and Anderson ' s delightful text are your guide to eight different " Star Wars " locales . You ' ll visit : " Tatooine " , the stark , desert home planet of Luke Skywalker , as presented by Senior Anthropologist Hoole , one of the rare Shi ' ido species possessed of astonishing shape - changing abilities ; " Coruscant " , the great and glorious center of the Empire , described by no less a personage than Pollux Hax , Imperial advisor to the Emperor ' s court ; " Dagobah " , the swampy world of Yoda , as recorded by scientist Halka Four - Den in her rigorous research journals ; and " Bespin " , the gas planet , site of the famed floating metropolis of Cloud City , its many virtues and tourist attractions enthusiastically promoted by council man Lingsnot . " " You ' ll also explore the myth - enshrouded worlds of " Endor " , the forest moon sheltering the Ewok s , as detailed in the official — if somewhat embittered — report of Imperial scout Pfilbee Jhorn ; " Hoth " , the frozen wasteland which is the site of a secret Rebel base , revealed by Major Kem Monnon , chief of the Rebel Alliance Corps of Engineers ; " Yavin 4 " , the jungle moon , nearly destroyed by the first Death Star , its significance to the Rebel Alliance recalled by the late naturalist Dr ' uun Unnh ; and " Alderaan " , Princess Leia ' s homeworld , cruelly annihilated by the same Death Star , memorialized by one of the few survivors , the renowned galactic poet Hari Seldona . " The Illustrated Star Wars Universe " is an epic achievement in words and pictures that you ' ll want to revisit again and again . It is a visionary treat no " Star Wars " fan will want to miss — and a true collector ' s item you ' ll want to hold onto and enjoy for years to come . " In - universe writers . The book is written from an " in - universe " perspective , and each chapter is written by a different character . These characters are :