Yeah, Lucas did miss the mark there. Maybe Kamino cloning was lost by the time of Heir to the Empire, or something. The biggest suprise for me PT-wise, is the fact that the clones fought for the Galactic Republic. I always assumed the Clone Wars were about the ethics of cloning, with fighting to keep it under control. Possibly in some grand ruse to weaken the jedi. Instead, we have an army of clones against yet another army of droids. They shoud've been called "The Seperatist Wars"

Yes, even I noticed that the novels tended to be more political rather than action oriented at times. Still, they all fit together. I think Zahn's work, coupled with the X-wing saga and the short stories are the best they have to offer. I've enjoyed all I've read with the exception of Barbara Hambly's books (Children of the Force was ok, what the hell was Planet of Twilight?). The New Jedi Order has definately put the wars back in Star Wars. It just hadn't been the same with the Imperial Remnant.