Tolkien : The Illustrated Encyclopaedia

Even at twice full price it's a steal. You'll read and re-read until you give up hope of anything

I own Foster's reference and JEA Tyler's newest edition. Both books are comprehensive, and especially in Foster's case, generally accepted as accurate - Christopher Tolkien acknowledges both authors. I strongly recommend those 2 books.This book is quite different, and its presentation is a refreshing change. Along with compelling images, the tome is sectioned by topic: first history, then geography to biographies and so on. Entries are then presented in alphabetical order for each topic. This means when you wish to look up Arnor, it isn't surrounded by dozens Ar* entries with all the many rulers that were named after the kingdom.There are 2 reasons I see to purchase this book.1. If you are looking for a less punctilious Tolkien companion, you won't regret getting this book - it is beautiful and would serve as a good coffee table book. Any inaccuracies you might come across are really niggling details. This is clearly evidenced by some of the other reviews here. I am a purist, but not a perfectionist, and even the tightly-knit mythology of Tolkien canon has its small contentions. I doubt you'll notice and I know none of your house guests will.2. I maintain this is the perfect companion for a first read of the Silmarillion, which can be dense to get through. (I wish I had had it next to me) Although Foster's and Tyler's books have more detailed entries, it is an exercise in page flipping to make sense of the dozens of names and places coming at you. This book explains the relevant timelines and relationships in a simple, chronological way. The use of flowcharting and other diagramatical techniques give much of the details here a new slant.

I chose this rating because the paperback that I received did NOT have the same picture on the cover that you see here. The paperback cover is garish and and very tribal! It looks more like the artist was more into totems and tiki gods. I was put off by the whole look of it. It appears that the contents were the same (I hope so) because the inner art is also harsh and tribal. " A picture is worth a thousand words" and the pictures in this one that I got did NOT invoke any of the cozy Ren-Fest feelings of the movies OR Professor Tolkien's writings.It is an encyclopedia format (kind of) and a LOT of information. I would recommend it for that but NOT for the illustrations!!!

This is late but this book came in well packaged had a weird stain from a sticker at the front but I scrubbed it off. Book is basically anything about the world that Tolkien created from species to the lands and explaining everything that lives in it. Amazing art too!

I got this as a gift for a friend of mine. I owned my own copy when i was kid and loved it. I know much of this information is now on the web for free but the great illustrations and the organization that the Encyclopedia has can only be experienced in a print format. Yes for the quick fact look up the web is better, but for someone looking to explore the Tolkien world as a whole this is a great reference resource.

I felt this is a must have for any fan of the series of books that JRR Tolkien has wrote, its just purely amazing how much actual history is behind the series. I have owned the book for two months and still have not read all of it, the art is great to look at and yes it may seem off from what the characters look today but its still a feast for the eyes, if your a casual fan of the series this is not the book for you, you will get lost in all the history of the books. But if your a fan and wish to learn more about middle earth, this is a book for you as it will open your eyes to the first three ages of middle earth. Great to have and own.

Book is in great condition and arrived fast! I’m very happy with this purchase!

I do not understand why this product has such negative reviews. This book is perfect for a Tolkien fan. The book will give the reader a real anthropological view of Tolkiens world giving the perfect mindset to comprehend this world. This encyclopedia is put together extraordinarily with vast depth into the creators vision. Giving pieces of every story published by Tolkien and his son from everything beginning with the hobbit including parts of the Silmarillion. Those who enjoy reading into more depth of a very detailed realm this book is an excellent buy and you will not walk away disappointed.

Bought as a gift for my daughter and she absolutely loves it. it has a number of good glossy illustrations, i've no idea if the content is true to the original story's but shes happy so I'm happy.

A useful addition to my already extensive Tolkien collection. The illustrations alone make it worth the purchase. A worthwhile accompaniment to any reader of the trilogy.

Item was in beautiful condition and was delivered promptly. Would reccomend both product and seller

first class

An encyclopedia on the works of Tolkien should do two things:1) Catalog features the enormous and seemingly impenetrable history of Middle-Earth (and beyond)2) Depict these features in an interesting (preferably illustrative) way, so that old fans and new can see Tolkien's creations in a new lightThe illustrations vary in terms of style, scope and quality; though they all seem to be well-researched and faithful to Tolkien's vision. His own illustrations are absent from this book, but they would look perhaps out of place given the eclectic mix of brutal ink sketches and water colour landscapes.If you have a certain vision of Tolkien's universe in mind, and swear by it, this may not be the book for you.