Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolute must for Ring Addicts!!, November 11, 2003
This is a hardback book, oversize so it can accommodate the quality of images and text. A "coffee table" edition is what people would label it. This book is a more definitive version than the photo guide, and it goes into the story with more details and more images. In the first chapter "The Great Task", it recaps the first two movies and what all the characters were doing. Then for Return of the King, Chapter Two pick up with the Kingdom of Gondor, the Realm Aragon is destined to rule. Under the rule of Denethor, father of Boromir and Faramir, he is only the Steward of Gondor. Discovering Boromir's death through one of the seeing-stones has made him power-mad in his grief and bordering on insanity. He is determined to hold on to the throne of Gondor and blames his son, Faramir, for setting Frodo with the One Ring free, and means to stand against Aragon's return as the King of Gondor. The book adds background for people who love the Rings movies, but have not read Tolkien books, and maybe have a few questions. This is not only a wonderful showcase, super packed with gorgeous photos, but explains little nuances to the non-reader of the books, the film assumes you understand. So this book is highly recommended to Ring Collectors, but also for lovers of the movie wanting to know a little more. The images are stunning, well selected and give you a piece of the movie to keep forever. Great Christmas or birthday gift for your LOTR fan.
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68 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent visual companion...., November 15, 2003
I have to hand it to the folks at Houghton-Mifflin. They have done a really wonderful job with the book franchise for LOTR. This visual companion has to be the best by far of the three....and has some of the best screen shots! The picture with Gandalf et.al. staring at the fires of Mount Doom/Mordor (in the center of the book) makes the volume priceless. As the previous reviewer mentioned, the book is laid out in such a way as to give the reader a good understanding of what has occurred previously...and what is going on at the time of RotK. Even if you have not read the books (yet!), this guide will help you become easily accustomed to the names/races/places etc. of Middle Earth and the War of the Ring. Highly recommended!
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More helpful than the photo guide, anyway., December 3, 2003
Actually, among the somewhat useless line of merchandise that springs from the idea that eager Lord of the Rings fans (and those who are especially anticipating the December 17th release of the third and final movie) will buy anything, this book is actually a useful tool. It would be the most helpful for the fan who wants to introduce a friend or family member to the series beloved by millions, or perhaps just an individual who wants to know what all the fuss is about. The book gives background for the upcoming Return of the King release mainly, but also gives a short but sweet background of what's happened before. With lovely new pictures of the movie, the text takes the reader from Mordor to Cirith Ungul, and from Gondor, to Isengard, to Rohan, to everywhere in between, explaining the complicated plot and complex characters along the way. The book is so helpful that if a person reads this book a few times, he might conceivably be able to walk in to theaters on December 17th and actually watch the third movie without having watched the first two, though I would not recommend it at all! If you need a refresher (remember, watching the first two movies is the best way!), and don't have time for the movies, just sit down and read up on this book, because it was written for you. If you're already a big fan, you might still get a kick out of the pictures, and you can always keep it handy for when your friends scratch their heads and say "Frodo WHO?" Warning: The book does contain Return of the King spoilers.
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