I wanted to see what I can learn of the SR back story as many of the events of the metaplot as I can. Shadowrun has one of the longest running, most developed metaplot exclusive to an RPG. I see no reason not to take advantage of that.

Could the veterans please give me some advice on what books, from any edition, to look out for? I'm mainly looking for the material that covers the bulk of the metaplot. Not really the random flavor texts that appear in the corners of chapters.

I would also like to know what books contain elements of living in the Shadowrun world and what life is like in the later half of the 21st century. Hmmm...curious...what year did the original SR begin (game year, not RL year)?

Any help would be great!

Not to add to my own post but...

I wonder...has anyone on the net done a web page dedicated to compiling the full story of the Shadowrun world? Granted there may be copywrite issues with this, but if it was done in the voice of a character relating the events I wouldn't think it would be any different than other fan ficition.

If nobody has done this it would be neat to see. A web page dedicated to recording and preserving the historical aspects of Shadowrun, complete with timeline, for future generations.

It would be pretty cool as well if this could include the "complete" metaplot that includes the Earthdawn material.

So all those folks with SR books collecting dust on the shelves. Pull them out, dust them off, and start collaborating!

2050.

Try timeline.dumpshock.com

As for resources for life... Sprawl Surival Guide. SR4.

And check out Ancient History's stuff (assuming it's still up somewhere). He's got lots of little stuff pointed out, showing the plot weaving hither and fro through the timeline SL James just pointed you towards.

Its still around, and recently updated infact. An indespencable bit of data.

Im sure there is a WIKI out there or just google it, there's also plenty of ED and Shadowrun Crossover pages on the web if your interested in going way back

There is (wiki.dumpshock.com, strangely enough), but it's more incomplete than complete.

The clues and pieces of the SR metaplot are scattered all over the place. Fortunately Ancient History has done a masterful job of compiling and annotating those references. Big events are in the old (and sometimes hard to get hold of) adventures and sourcebooks.

I recommend

Universal Brotherhood
Bug City
Aztlan
Tir Tairngire
Mob War
Blood in the Boardroom
Paradise Lost
Year of the Comet
Wake of the Comet
Survival of the Fittest
Dragons of the Sixth World
Dunkelzahn's Will
Renraku Archology Shutdown
BrainScan
System Failure
Dragon Hunt

Well Ok pretty much everything but the Core Rule and Gear books has something to contribute (some of those from the 1st & 2nd editions even have some contributory fiction), and I didn't even touch the novels.

Eh... WotC not so much. Its an okay adventure book, but dosent cover much of the hard core history. Its kinda like RAS and Bs, ones a fact book, the other is an adventure book. Originally SF was going to have an adventure book going with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun_timeline

This pretty much covers everything up to 2070, where SR4 starts. The major plot points are covered there.

Best books to read for "getting a feel" for the Shadowrun daily life would be (not in any specific order):

"Burning Bright" by Tom Dowd
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145368...2902568?ie=UTF8

The Dirk Montgomery Chronicles
"2XS" by Nigel Findley
"House of the Sun" by Nigel Findley
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/345306211...ie=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145370...ie=UTF8&s=books

"Changeling" by Chris Kubasik
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145218...ie=UTF8&s=books

Secrets of Power Trillogy by Robert Charette
"Never Deal with a Dragon"
"Choose your Enemies Carefully"
"Find Your Own Truth"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145078...2902568?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145087...ie=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145082...ie=UTF8&s=books


The Jack Skater Chronicles
"Preying for Keeps" by Mel Odom
"Headhunters" by Mel Odom
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145374...ie=UTF8&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045145614...2902568?ie=UTF8