I did read them, long ago (I think about 8 years or so). I still retain some of the basic plot, but not enough to replay the story arc in my mind, unfortunately. But you are right--it is an excellent series. I seem to remember a few of the characters (the Emperor's femme fatale, the crazy old Sith master). Also, the plotlines about recontructing the New Republic were excellent, including the Emperor's old traps (His hand moves against us even from beyond the grave).
The computer game "Tie Fighter: Collector Edition" also included some missions based on the Thrawn books. That was an awesome game.
It's funny, the storylines of TIE Fighter and X-Wing Alliance were better than the prequels(up until now.) More entertaining, that's for sure.
In any case, though, the Zahn books did introduce two terrible concepts. The Dark Jedi clone on some outlying world device, and the ysalamiri--a lizard that negates the Force.
WTF??!??! ANYTHING that negates the Force in the Star Wars universe is the stupidest idea EVER.