The J.R.R. Tolkien Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to His Life, Writings, and World of Middle-Earth

I borrowed this book from a friend and then realized that i had to buy my own copy because it really helped me while i was ready The Lord of the Rings and I know it will continue to help me as I read the other books Tolkien wrote. Although I understand it is not entirely inclusive of all the characters, places, ideas, theologies, etc, that Tolkien wrote about (the list would be infinite!!) it does provide the reader with a very comprehensive guide and foundation to begin to understand the journey Tolkien went on and the background for probably the most crucial and important aspects, people, events, places and ideas of Middle-Earth. The book also contains suggested readings so you can further your study of certain topics, which (as a rising Tolkien scholar) i found to be MOST helpful. I thoroughly enjoy (yes, present tense, as in, continue to enjoy!) this book and would recommend it to any fan of Tolkien who needs a little help organizing and understanding ALL that is Middle Earth and that is Tolkien!

You just cannot understand the wonderful Lord of the Rings trilogy in print or on screen without reading this wonderful book. The authors are both insightful, easy to read and great fun - buy this book before you go and read the books again! Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE and WHOSE SIDE IS GOD ON?

This book is good for somebody new to Tolkien. There are some more complete handbooks/encyclopedias for Tolkien's writings out there, but I think that a newbie might find them overwhelming. This book is firmly focused on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, drawing information from Tolkien's other books only if it provides useful background to people or events in the Rings trilogy. For instance, there is background on an ancient marriage between a human man (Beren) and an elf woman (Luthien)that sets the stage for the romance between Aragorn and Arwen. My understanding is that Tolkien's other writings contain many other stories, characters, and settings that are not necessary for the understanding of the Rings trilogy.The Rings movie was my introduction to Tolkien. Since then, I have read the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. I fully expect that as I continue to read Tolkien and continue to be fascinated by the world he created that I will buy a more complete handbook. But for now, this is a good source of information.