I bought this book as an accompaniment to [b:The Silmarillion|7332|The Silmarillion (Middle-Earth Universe)|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1336502583s/7332.jpg|4733799] and found the maps vey informative and a good reference. The detail provided is meticulous, from whole world maps down to cities such as Menegroth and Nargothrond. In addition, the book visually outlines the evolution of the Tolkien world from the First through the Third Ages. The text also acts as a good synopsis of the major plot lines. I would definitely recommend this book, but beware of spoilers if you have not read the books and decide to read ahead. I suggest read a few chapters, then refer back to the Atlas. ( )

Always at hand whilst re-reading Lord of the Rings for the nth time. (n=?) An essential and most useful companion companion. ( )

Nice gift for a Tolkien fan.
Not throwing any money at maps, though hours pouring over them would not count as time wasted. ( )

During my recent re-read https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4176682875 of “The Hobbit” I remembered that years ago I had bought this “atlas” in order to immerse myself even more fully into Tolkien’s world and to provide my children with maps to the adventures I was reading to them at the time.

In this atlas, you’ll find brilliant maps in two colours that are in all aspects very fitting to their source material. You’ll find the maps sorted by ages as well as regional maps, e. G. The Shire, as well as maps relating to the books and, last but not least, thematic maps, e. G. landforms, climate, vegetation and population.

It shows that the author is an actual cartographer because Fonstad’s maps feel real - like they were made by observance and not by obviously extensive research.

“The Atlas of Middle-Earth” is an amazing feat and every Tolkien enthusiast should own a copy!

Five out of five stars.


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If you are a Tolkien fan, then more than any other single book, this one should be by your side when reading The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

This book has maps, atlases, and crossectional views of every area and every significant building or structure mentioned in the 3 books set in Middle-Earth. Along with each map is a complete analysis of the events which occurred in those locations. It also contains information on populations, languages, types and locations of vegetation, and more. So much more.

This is the books which will help you in your attempt to keep everything connected. It will help you mentally picture the events. The book is extremely well researched using all of the resources made available by the Tolkien estate. There are dozens of books which many lovers of The Lord of the Rings can buy, including the many volumed History of Middle-Earth series and The Complete Tolkien Companion, but this book is far more essential than any of the others, and draws from all of them. The maps are produced by the author based on Tolkien's sketches as well as the information contained in all of his books and writings.

Be sure to only get the Revised Edition with a 1991 copyright. ( )

Maps of fantasy books are love. ( )

The book feels cartoonish, written for an audience with no more than highly superficial knowledge and a generally television-ish appetites. But I should have seen that coming; Tolkien's is not a particularly strongly cartographic world, although it certainly beats the chivalric romances (which didn't even have maps). ( )

An adequate set of maps, but not artistically up to the Iron Crown publications in this area. It has the advantage of being the real publisher's version of Middle Earth. ( )

I recall fondly the hardbound edition I owned in High School, but the content remains as satisfying and edifying as I hoped, and I expect the revisions and expansion of material in this revised edition will prove worthwhile. Apparently only some of Christopher Tolkien's History of Middle-earth was made available for the revision, and near to deadline, so the decision was made to restrict emendations and new material to existing entries, rather than attempt to add entirely new placenames, battles, or locations. That said, new maps apparently were prepared for some of those existing entries.

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I enjoy reviewing relevant maps with my daughter as we read through LOTR together, though she has not entirely resisted the temptation to read entries we've not yet reached in the story. It would have been great to have at our elbows as we read The Hobbit. ( )

One of my favourite reference books, Atlas of Middle-Earth is not only wonderful in and of itself, it is also an informative and enchanting companion and guide to and for J.R.R. Tolkien's substantial oeuvre, a detailed and fascinating array of both general and specific maps, helping readers trace and visualise the paths taken by elves, dwarves, men and others during the three ages of Middle Earth. And most importantly (at least for me), Atlas of Middle-Earth also shows how Middle Earth as a whole has changed in shape, size and features since the First Age (The Elder Days). Recommended for anyone who is a fan of Tolkien's Middle Earth, to anyone who would love to be able to visit Tolkien's Middle Earth. ( )

I love seeing obsession which expresses itself in creativity. That a cartographer could spend the time and effort needed to study Tolkien's works in such detail, and then translate them for us into easy to understand charts, maps and descriptions, pleases me immensely. It confirms my belief that Middle-Earth is a real place/dimension which we could step into if only we knew the way. If we had this book along, we could find our way around quite handily, too. Reading about geology and what events had what effect on the land, how and why the people spread out and lived where they did, how the climate was changed and the world, by major conflicts between good and evil, makes the tale come alive. As interesting as the details are regarding Middle-Earth, I was just as interested in the conclusions the author was able to draw from the material she had to work with. That Tolkien thought and wrote in such detail amazes me. This atlas adds new depths of appreciation for his work and Middle-Earth, and I know I will use it as a reference whenever I reread his works. ( )

A must have for any LOTR fan. The maps and information are so detailed. It makes ME seem like a real place! I reference this book so often and cannot imagine any other atlas comparing to this one. A great book to have in a LOTR collection. Very cool! ( )

Just what the title says. A collection of maps of most locations mentioned in Tolkien's works (and not just the main trilogy). Even includes day-by-day routes that Frodo and the Fellowship took on their journey(s). ( )

Some in depth information about the world of Tolkien's Middle Earth, a bit dry and scholarly in the writing style. Moreso than the books themselves. :0 ( )

This is a fantastic reference for fans of Tolkien's works. The scholarship is amazing, and it really helps to visualize the land of Middle-Earth, if the movies don't quite suite you. ( )

Whle the illustrations aren't beautiful, they are accurate and very useful for placing the characters and events as you read. It helps a lot when reading the Silmarillion for the first time. Or the second time. ( )

This is a totally unique book. A rather scholarly attempt to understand the geography of Tolkien's Middle-earth from the creation to the very beginning of the Fourth Age. Fonstad does an outstanding job discovering hidden facts about Middle-earth and explaining the how, where and why of cities, mountains, rivers and forests. Although much of it is speculation and therefore not intended to be taken too seriously, she balances the fictional with the scholarly very well. A great book for a Tolkien afficiendo. ( )

Extremely handy when discussing LOTR geography. Love it. ( )

Written by a cartographer, profusely illustrated with incredibly useful maps, there is no more useful resource with which to follow the Lord of the Rings. This book covers the geography of the Silmarillion, and LOTR. Fabulous stuff. ( )

An authentic guide to the geography of Middle-earth, with maps, charts and illustrations. Great resource for Tolkien Fans.

I am borrowing this book from a coworker and will be reading it once I finish the other books I am reading... ( )

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