The Maps of Tolkien's Middle-Earth

A great disappointment as I said in my title. For a book in GOOD condition that is supposed to contain maps there was a surprising lack of them. The only maps in this book are Roughly half a page in size. Granted, there was some beautiful 2 page art works in the book. For a book that is supposed to contain several removable maps.Or at least buy it's image it does. There was none included with mine. As I said before a great disappointment. Granted I know the book is used but there's not even an indication that the maps were not with the book.

Other than the fact that the maps are absolutely beautiful, the 80 page booklet by Sibley is alone worth the money. He offers detailed, yet summarized, histories of Beleriand and Numenor. As someone that loves Tolkien's work, yet couldn't finish The Silmarillion, I found this book extremely effective in finding out what happened to the tragic island of Men, and the downfall of the 2nd Age. The Hobbit map is particularly well-drawn, and a marvel to look at, even if you know where everything already is with your eyes closed. As for the Map of Middle-earth, it doesn't offer anything new as far as details of minute locations, but it does serve as a great tool to read along the Trilogy with. There is also some beautiful artwork around the bordering of the Maps. Overall, I would say that this my favorite purchase in Tolkien's realm, other than the Trilogy and the Hobbit.

These are four maps drawn by John Howe, an artist well-known as a Tolkien illustrator. If you're not familiar with his work I suggest checking it out. The maps are of Beleriand, Numenor, Middle Earth, and of the lands journeyed through in The Hobbit. All of the maps have a thick border with symbols, captions, and illustrations and are real works of art. The maps are 28x28 and come folded up inside of a hardcover jacket. The maps are accompanied by a thin hardcover book by Brian Sibley that sheds some light on what's in the maps. I haven't read all of the way through it but I don't think there's anything new if you've already read the Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings. The only drawback is that I have to custom order frames to put them in cause it's hard to find 28x28 frames in stores.

This book is covered in a nice hard-bound, and has nice detailed maps. Looking at the maps can really pull us in to the world that Tolkien created and also i am able to track the progress of Frodo and his "Fellowship of the Ring" like being part of the Fellowship itself. I wish that this review will encourage you to buy this book. Alas, more praise should come with this book than i can write.

I'm somewhat like some of the characters about whom Tolkein wrote: I love maps. They help me understand cultures and the lands that shape them. The art in these maps and the detail helps on understand Tolkein's works. Comparing the different maps from the different ages of Middle Earth brings forth new relevations in Tolkein's writings. The artwork in the maps is beautiful as well. I can pull out the maps, Tolkein's writings, and reference works about Tolkein's works and pleasantly while away an hour or two. This was probably one of my favorite Christmas presents I have received.

As a lover of the works of Tolkien, I just had to have detailed maps, and I am here to tell you that these are a wonderful addition to my collection of Tolkien books. They really are terrific detail and are a great price. You can visually track the progress of any of his wonderful works as you read them(makes you feel like maybe you're studying maps alongside the hobbits in Rivendell!!) Any lover of The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit must have these maps.