The Complete Tolkien Companion (Illustrated) [Hardcover]

J. E. A. Tyler (Author), Kevin Reilly (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

For all those who journey to J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, here is the complete guide to its lands, legends, histories, languages, and people. The Tolkien Companion explains, translates, and links every single reference - names, dates, places, facts, famous weapons, even food and drink - to be found in Tolkien's world, which includes not only The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings but also The Simarillion and many other posthumously published works. A detailed explanation of the various Elvish writing systems, together with maps, charts, and genealogical tables, bring the remarkable genius of Tolkien and the unforgettable world and wonder of Middle Earth to life with focus and accuracy. Presented in alphabetical order for quick and easy reference, this is an indispensable accompaniment for anyone who embarks on the reading journey of a lifetime. First published in 1976, this edition has been fully revised and updated for a new century of Tolkien lovers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you're a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, this is a great reference book, as it has entries that will probably jog the memories of even the most ardent adherent... this one has it all." - Kansas City Star

"One of the newer reference volumes that attempts to explain Tolkien's densely imaginative world."
-Seattle Times

"A treasure of arcane information that will be helpful to the casual reader... as well as to the newly minted Middle-earth fanatic who wants to learn everything as soon as possible."
-South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Excellent" - Creative Loafing (Atlanta)

"There's nothing you can't find in Tyler's tome of Middle Earth knowledge... indispensable... a sine qua non for new and experienced Tolkien readers alike."
- TheTrades

"This book will help you, even as it gives you a chance to read about and delight in correlations between things that you never realized, or small, assorted facts that you glanced past."
- Fantastica Daily

"A resource that will bring further enjoyment to those already familiar with LotR and its associated works... a wonderful achievement for Tyler, and will make a welcome addition to the library of anyone who has come to consider Frodo and the lot as de facto members of the family."
-ScifiDimensions

"A detailed and sweeping compendium, this book is a valuable reference to have handy when reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading Tolkien's work."
-SFRevu

"Essential for a new generation of readers to fully enjoy Tolkien's version in a new century... an invaluable aid to a better understanding of Middle Earth and deserves a place on the shelf right next to The Hobbit."
- Baryon Magazine

From the Back Cover

British Praise for The Tolkien Companion:

"The quarrying Mr. Tyler has done in the books of our hero rivals the work of the dwarves in the mithril-mines of Moira."
- Observer

"Fascinating...For every Tolkien reader it is a must."
- Yorkshire Post (UK)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 736 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312315457
• ISBN-13: 978-0312315450
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,669,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless!!!!, December 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Tolkien Companion (Illustrated) (Hardcover)

Do not waste your money on any version of JE Taylors Tolkien books. He hides his "references" at the back of the book instead of professionally citing them on the page for the entry you are reading. If you are a Tolkien purist you will find many fictional made up details in this book. Instead buy the book that Christopher Tolkien himself cites...

Robert Foster's Complete Guide to Middle Earth. This book is VERY accurate for your Hobbit,LOTR, Simarillion reference needs.

If you need a cross-reference for the 12 volumes of the History of Middle Earth buy Christopher Tolkiens Index to the History of Middle Earth. You can buy that at Amazon UK.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dissappointing, January 1, 2004

By 

"rocking_fetus" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Tolkien Companion (Illustrated) (Hardcover)

I have one word which sums up this entire book "dissappointment". Ok, maybe not entirely worthless but to any self-respecting Tolkien fan this companion would have to be the least helpful of those available. Not only did I find information hard to find (characters etc were listed by their most "common name" thus if you were looking for a particular name which was less used, its highly likely that you won't find it which can get very frustrating. Also I couldn't help feeling that the Tyler seems to get his/her wires crossed alot, mixing what is "fact" and what is "fiction" mixed around. Also the major dissappointment I found with this "complete" Tolkien companion, is that its not "complete". Lesser characters, places, events etc seem to have been "lost" or "omitted". At the expensive of this "lesser" characters etc Tyler seems to have spent the energy instead on elaborating more on the "major" characters which I personally found annoying as no doubt many people want to buy a companion to help them understand alittle bit more on "lesser" characters which they come across in books. You wouldn't buy half a dictionary so why settle for half a "companion". I also found it quite shifty of Tyler "hiding" his/her references and sources at the back of the book.
However on a high note I did find the front cover design, I must say the best looking of the companions on the market. If only the inside was as good as the outside.
I suggest if your serious about getting a companion, "The Complete Guide to Middle Earth" by Robert Foster is 1st Rate and easier on the hip pocket too!

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only a back-up choice, December 20, 2003

By 

David Bratman (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Tolkien Companion (Paperback)

Third edition of an encyclopedia whose first two, pre- and post-Silmarillion, versions have been floating around for years. A reliable source but a very poor second choice to Robert Foster's Complete Guide to Middle-earth (less detail, more omissions, few dates, hardly any page references), Tyler's tome now includes entries from Unfinished Tales, 24 years after that book was published. It ignores almost everything else since then, whether it fits into the (illusory) "final" legendarium or not. Tyler claims he's dropped his pretence that Middle-earth is real, but entries like that for Orcs, identifying them as the true origin of mythic goblins, show that he hasn't. This new edition is only worth having if a copy drops into your lap.