An Atlas of Tolkien (2) (Tolkien Illustrated Guides)

This NOT a map atlas!

[[ASIN:0028631188 Webster's New World College Dictionary]] has an additional definition for "atlas": "a book of tables, charts, illustrations, etc. on a specific subject...[an anatomical atlas]". It is that def. which applies to this book's title.

This is an historical summary of Middle-Earth, not a collection of maps; its 6"x5" size would hardly render maps well, anyway.

It does have "maps", but they are mere illustrations only. One "map" scores a WTF-with-honors, placing Beleriand northeast of Lindon, with the Blue Mts. a northern extension of the Misty Mts.? Poor Thorin & Co.! No wonder the Dwarves were a wandering folk: no doubt going in circles, trying to find their way home!

Each page has a short summation of a time, place or major character or event from Tolkien's legendarium, with an accompanying illustration, along with many charts, timetables, etc. I returned this so quickly, I did not review these charts for accuracy--hopefully, they're not as off as the aforementioned map! The illustrations were of a fine selection--many I'd not seen before--but lose any pleasing aesthetic due to the small size of this book.

Were it called "An Illustrated History of M-E", this book could stand on its own as a quaint LOTR-related stocking-stuffer for a not-too-serious Tolkien fan.

Those seeking maps will be disappointed for its title; those seeking a cute, glib LOTR companion may overlook it for the same.

David Day fabricates things that have no basis in anything anyone with the last name "Tolkien" has written. Now speculation is fine, but he presents it alongside actual information with nothing to discern between the two.

Also many of his Tolkien books are just the same info in different packaging.

If your looking for other Tolkien books look to authors like Fonstad, Hammond, Scull, , Shippey, Rateliff, or Foster.

My husband is a tolkien nerd. I love the quality of these books. They have a nice, probably faux leather cover, and good quality material. The only things I dislike about this item is the content. It looks great on a shelf, but most of the content isnt truly based on Tolkien's works, it is made up by David Day. So if that is what you're looking for, fantastic. That's why I gave it three stars, because that wasnt what I personally was looking for, but it wasnt all bad

Not a piece of informative reference. It has a new take on the chronology of the early ages. It could be a decent beginning book, had one not used atlases from other authors. Tyler's is superior.

As others have noted, the author, Mr. David Day, is taking some liberties with the word 'Atlas'. Most often an atlas is a collection of maps, or at least a collection of similar items, with very little editorial comment. What we have here is basically a very slim overview that might even be less than a summary of the several books of J.R.R.Tolkien, including The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion (which was published after his death and was edited, combining numerous unfinished writings, by his son Christopher with additional help). At best this is an Atlas of the most condensed of short summaries of some of the chapters - and not all the important ones either - of the books. If you have never read any of the books, and want to know sort of a brief overview of what they're all about, you can read this book, and get sort of a general idea, but I wouldn't suggest entering into any discussions with others who have actually read the books. If you've only seen the movies, you won't find much here that is in the original and different from the movies, so you won't have much of an idea of what you missed by not actually reading the stories. I do take issue with some of Mr. Day's statements such as identifying Tom Bombadil (and Goldberry) as a Maia. It's obvious he isn't, and there is still lots of discussions as to what he really is, most likely a character brought into Tolkien's created world from outside it. This book is probably a 2 1/2 stars so I'm being charitable giving it 3. The few maps included do not give justice to the actual geography of Middle-earth and there is better artwork in many other books about Middle-earth, and you certainly don't get the feeling that Tolkien gives you in his writings.. I do not not like it, but it's really not 'Okay', somewhere in between.

I discovered David Day's books in a bookstore in Iceland, came home and bought all three: The Dictionary, Atlas, and Battles. I'm quite in love with them, but posting primarily to let folks know about the sticker on the back. I'm a bit put out that I damaged the back of at least one of the leatherette covers in order to get the sticker off. Who does that to a good book (or any book for that matter)?! Books are considered a treasure by many and the big, sticky sticker on the back cover is a way of defacing them. The books, on their own, would merit five stars, but as sold through Amazon, only four, since I believe the cover, binding, and print, etc. should be considered. They all came this way, so that's clearly how they're sold through Amazon. Buyer beware.

Re-explains everything. I bought this to have better maps and an explanation of Tolkien places but that is not the case. It's a glossary with some maps (not great maps). Everything in this can be found online. Don't bother.

It has beautiful photographs and just like the dictionary is full of interesting tid bits form the fictions of Tolkien. Definitely worth the buy for anyone who loves Tolkien's LoTR.

Love this!! Thanks!!

Bought this as a gift and it was very well received. Love how the cover has an embossed feel to it!