>Those novels started what is commonly known as the PloD -
>Plotline of Doom. Because it drug out for SOOOOOO long.
>
>Jordan really got carried away.
>
>If you started the series but stopped in that area, I highly
>recommend just reading the wikipedia entries for what happened
>in ACoS, the Path of Daggers, and Winter's Heart. You could
>even do the same for Crossroads of Twilight.

I went to the WoT wiki and read a few and laughed hysterically when I read Winter's Heart, then read Crossroads of Twilight (Spoilers below) "Later that same day..."

Perrin Aybara continues trying to rescue his wife Faile Bashere, kidnapped by the Shaido Aiel, even resorting to torturing prisoners for information. In addition, Perrin is approached with the suggestion of alliance with the Seanchan, at least on a temporary basis, to defeat the Shaido.

Mat Cauthon continues trying to escape Seanchan-controlled territory while courting Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons, the woman whom he has kidnapped and who, it has been prophesied, will become his wife. Mat discovers that Tuon, as a potential sul'dam, can be taught to channel the One Power.

Elayne Trakand continues trying to solidify her hold on the Lion Throne of Andor.

Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, rests after the ordeal of cleansing the One Power. He sends Davram Bashere, Logain Ablar, and Loial to negotiate a truce with the Seanchan. They return at the end of the book to tell him that the Seanchan have accepted the truce, but demand the presence of the Dragon Reborn.

Egwene leads the rebel Aes Sedai in maintaining the siege of Tar Valon. At the end of the book, she is kidnapped by agents of the White Tower.