An Encyclopedia of Tolkien: The History and Mythology That Inspired Tolkien's World (Leather-bound Classics)

A comprehensive, illustrated guide to the history, lands, and inhabitants of Middle-earth. The fantasy world of J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth contains a rich assortment of people, cities, and creaturesas well as a deep, intertwined history that spans thousands of years. In this beautifully illustrated, leather-bound volume, best-selling author and Tolkien scholar David Day presents four decades of research and writing on the lands and inhabitants Middle-earth. Sections of this A-to-Z dictionary are devoted to discussion of the battles, history, beasts, and heroes of Tolkiens stories, and are accompanied by black-and-white illustrations. This comprehensive volume on Tolkiens world also includes an appendix of three primary legends that served as sources for Tolkiens creationsthe Volsunga saga, the Nibelungenlied, and Richard Wagners Ring Cycleand more than 200 black-and-white illustrations. This work is unofficial and is not authorized by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.