AN ACT OF
DIPLOMACY
Review by Jody
Reeves
This Entrance Exam may push the limits of even the Trivia Elite
Star Wars:
Diplomatic Corps Entrance Exam
Compiled by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
published by Ballantine Books
The Diplomatic Corps Entrance Exam is the latest Star Wars trivia book, compiling questions relating to the films, novels and comic books. Divided into sections such as History, Technology and Sociology, the Exam looks to test one’s knowledge of events in preparation for a career in the Diplomatic Corps. Depending on your final score, you can apply to be an Ambassador, a Diplomat, or an Assistant. Questions are weighted according to difficulty - an easy question from the films is worth one point, while a more obscure reference from a comic series is worth three points.
After accepting the
assignment to review this book, I thought the best way
would be to actually take the exam. When picking up the
book, I scoffed at the questions on the cover - "Who
flew the Millennium Falcon during the Battle of
Endor?" Ha! I can do this in my sleep! Well, maybe
only if while sleeping I dreamt of the schematics of an
astromech droid!
|
KNOWLEDGE
AND DEFENSE...
The first section, History, covers some of the basics,
and also tests your knowledge of the Jedi Knights. You
then proceed to the sections on Interstellar Travel,
where they actually expected me to fill in the blanks on
a location map of Tatooine! Ok, so I bombed there, but I
hoped to pick up some bonus points in the other sections.
Technology wasn’t so bad, until I had to label the
various parts of an Artoo unit. Sociology was also a bit
difficult, my favorite question being "What is Darth
Vader’s favorite beverage?" These questions are
not for the casual fan, and even someone who is pretty
much up on the novels and some of the comics is in for a
mindbender.
After completing the section on Military and Law Enforcement (ouch!), I proceeded to tally up my score. Much to my surprise, I qualified for a postition as an Ambassador! Of course, it would have been easier for me to have just donated 250 thousand credits to the party of the Chief of State and recieved an appointment in gratitude...
If you’re looking for a Star Wars trivia source that encompasses the films, novels and comics, this is a good buy. Having run a Star Wars trivia contest online for a while, I wish I had this book with me. The Star Wars Diplomatic Corps Entrance Exam is available for $12.00 at most book retailers.
(When not busy explaining Star Wars to friends and co-workers (no one else in the US Senate has a Darth Vader action figure on their desk), Jody Reeves spends time listening to Goth, alternative, and classical music, and reading about politics and Celtic mythology.)