The Atlas of Middle-Earth (Revised Edition) by Karen Wynn Fonstad
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Book Reviews of The Atlas of Middle-Earth (Revised Edition)
Book Review: Excellent - accurate and good-looking
Summary: 5 Stars
This is definitely a must-have Tolkien reference. Ever find yourself reading about the seige on Isengard by the Ents, or the travels of Bilbo in Mirkwood, and been frustrated by the maps in the book being too small? Then get this book! It has tons of maps of places in all of Tolkien's books, both regional and specific maps. It also contains linguistic, vegetation, migration, and population maps, and maps that follow the great journeys of the books day by day.There is also analysis of the rock types in Tolkien's locales, as well as descriptions of landforms that might be unfamiliar (like downs), not to mention the great index - an essential when you want just the right map of something. One more neat feature is the conversion charts, enabling you to convert the page numbers of one edition of a certain book to another.
Overall - great book, don't think it could have been done better. Buy! :)
Book Review: A Must-Own For Any Serious Tolkien Fan
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading The Silmarillion without this companion is like trying to read in the dark. Tolkien's world is so complex, textured and detailed that you can easily get lost in all the characters, place-names and various events throughout the ages. It's virtually impossible to fully comprehend the events of the first (and even second) age based on the two maps included the The Silmarillion text. Fonstad's tireless work helps add to the realism of the work by giving such detail as the location of Morgoth's nethermost chamber under Thangorodrim and the passageways of Cirith Ungol where Shelob's lair is hidden and even a floor plan of Bag End! In hindsight, I would have paid more to get it. If you're the type of Tolkien reader who likes to go back and re-read the books from time to time, you'll find yourself keeping this handy when you do. Super job!Book Review: An invaluable resource for hobbits. . .
Summary: 5 Stars
. . .and Big People alike.Many hobbits are fond of maps, even those who are not fond of adventures. This wonderful book of maps by one of the few Big People to visit Middle-Earth is invaluable for those hobbits (like myself) who like books of things they already know, set down fair and square with no contradictions.
No hobbit, upon acquiring this book, has any excuse for getting lost anywhere in the Four Farthings, or on the Road to Bree. Beyond that, I would still recommend a Ranger for a guide.
After the return of the Travellers, hobbits in general became more interested in the Wide World. This volume is useful in that it describes, in terms familiar to hobbits, those lands through which the Travellers adventured. It certainly puts things in perspective.
A book to enjoy in the evening with one's pipe and a pint of beer.
Book Review: A Different Look at Middle-earth
Summary: 5 Stars
Karen Wynn Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth is the result of many long hours of scholarly study of the various clues in Tolkien's writings about the physical makeup of Middle-earth. If you are both a Tolkien fan and a lover of histories and maps this is a wonderful resource. Amid all the wonderfully intricate speculations and detailed analysis you find in The Atlas of Middle-earth is yet more evidence of Tolkien's genius. How could anyone have produced such a detailed and true to life world as Middle-earth over a period of many years without producing contradiction after contradiction? Tolkien did it, and Fonstad's Atlas demonstrates his magnificent achievement as wonderfully as any of the Professor's works themselves. An essential part of any Tolkien lover's collection.
Book Review: Puts Tolkein's Imagination On Paper
Summary: 5 Stars
Ok, you saw the movie and you have now picked up the same sense of excitement the rest of us had in the late 60's Lord of the Rings is an amazing epic. When you consider Tolkein was the first to pull this kind of fantasy out of his mind, it's all the more amazing. It IS hard to follow the many travels of The Fellowship, and later all the other bands and armies moving all over Middle Earth. And perhaps this book is not perfect, but I think it does an amazing job of anchoring the story. Using this as a reference while reading the Trilogy is indespensible for placing the travels in context. These books are a journey...the stories of journeys. I'm an Air Force Navigator, I need to see maps. Here they are. Cheap at twice the price. Buy this reference book.