The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook: A Fan's Guide to Middle-Earth and Beyond [Paperback]

George Beahm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

Breaking new ground, this is a must have for any Tolkien fan seeking to learn more about the reclusive professor from Oxford who reluctantly became a celebrity because of his "hobbit-forming" books. It is a comprehensive reference work long awaited by the millions of Tolkien fans throughout the world who have bought 100 million copies of his books, in more than 40 languages. This book will also be especially appealing to the millions of new fans-moviegoers-turned-readers-who have rushed from theaters to bookstores worldwide to seek more information about Tolkien and his work. Profusely illustrated, it features one hundred photographs and drawings from noted fantasy artist Colleen Doran, plus art portfolios by Tolkien calendar artist Tim Kirk, and cover artist Donato Giancola. Chock-full of sidebars, quotes, and short interviews, this guide to Middle-earth and beyond will be an indispensable addition to any Tolkien collection.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: New Page Books; illustrated edition edition (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564147029
• ISBN-13: 978-1564147028
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a full-time writer specializing in non-fiction, mostly pop culture topics. On the side, I run a small company that handles producing art prints and also handle the sales of collectibles online through eBay. I live in southeast Virginia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for the Tolkien fan!, December 16, 2003

By 

Allan L. Harvey "bookworm" (London England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook: A Fan's Guide to Middle-Earth and Beyond (Paperback)

George Beahm's new book takes a long overdue look at the world of JRR Tolkien: not the world of Middle Earth itself, but rather the extraordinary industry which has grown up around the writer's creation. Upon perusing this book the Tolkien fan, both expert and novice, will find a wealth of information regarding just how much is available to them. Beahm provides clear and concise reviews of all manner of Tolkien books, art, games, DVDs, collectibles and merchandise; and provides details of various rare editions which the true fan may want to track down.

All this is backed up with in-depth interviews with the best of the Tolkien artists, including Michael Whelan, Tim Kirk and Colleen Doran. Indeed, Doran provides a host of new drawings especially for this book - and magnificent they are too!

For the Tolkien fan wondering where to go next, this book is a must.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Tolkien Fans, December 7, 2003

By 

Jan Strnad (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook: A Fan's Guide to Middle-Earth and Beyond (Paperback)

George Beahm's love for Tolkien's work shines through every page of The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook.

Beahm starts with the Lord of the Rings books themselves and their various editions, from "the most elegant edition" to "the cleverest packaging." From there he branches out to chronicle related works by Tolkien and about Tolkien and LotR, and of course he examines the visual adaptations. He is both reverent and critical. He has harsh words, for instance, for the "full-screen" version of The Fellowship of the Ring, which is "severely cropped to fit the conventional television screen," and warns that the binding of one lavish edition "will not hold up after repeated readings." Audio adaptations, printed products, book- and movie-related collectibles, ring replicas, games and miniatures, websites...these and more fall under Beahm's Sauron-like all-seeing eye.

Then there's Chapter 11, my favorite, that delves into Tolkien-inspired art. Illustrations by Colleen Doran, Tim Kirk, David Wenzel, Steve Hickman, and Donato Giancola enhance an informative chapter on Tolkien artists from the Hildebrandts to Michael Whelan. Doran contributes a number of lovely and delicate full-page illustrations to the book and also provides spot art and illustrated chapter headings, elegant touches that give evidence to Beahm's genuine love for the subject matter.

For fans of Middle Earth, George Beahm's The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook is just that...essential.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enduringly popular literary saga, December 13, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook: A Fan's Guide to Middle-Earth and Beyond (Paperback)

The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook by George Beahm is a superbly presented, fan-centered guide to the fantasy world of Middle Earth, a magical land originally envisioned by celebrated author J.R.R. Tolkien in his famous trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" and his other thematically related writings. Featuring information about Lord of the Rings merchandise and collectibles, books about Tolkien, computer software, Tolkien-themed websites, and other online Tolkien related resources, The Essential J.R.R. Tolkien Sourcebook is highly recommended (indeed, an essential reference) for anyone seriously interested in learning more about the fan-culture surrounding this epic and enduringly popular literary saga.