NeverarGreat said:

This opening scene is a fleshed out version of Anakin's near-fatal podrace crash which was only referenced in the script/film. It made for a more immediately engaging start to the book (which you should totally read on Amazon).

I wasn't aware of how different that book was. I just had a skim read on Amazon as you suggested. What the f**k, that opening was awesome! What in the nine hells was wrong with George Lucas? He had a good movie and ruined it. I'm getting that book for my Kindle just to annoy myself ;-)