The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth
"Fascinating, gorgeously illustrated and thought-provoking. . . . [A] masterful book."—Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post

A lavishly illustrated look at the locales familiar to J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth

This book takes you to the places that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to create his fictional locations in The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other classic works. Written by renowned Tolkien expert John Garth, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien features a wealth of breathtaking illustrations, including Tolkien's own drawings, contributions from other artists, rare archival images, and spectacular color photos of contemporary locations across Britain and beyond, from the battlefields of World War I to Africa.

Garth identifies the locales that served as the basis for Hobbiton, the elven valley of Rivendell, the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep, and many other settings in Middle-earth, from mountains and forests to rivers, lakes, and shorelands. He reveals the rich interplay between Tolkien's personal travels, his wide reading, and his deep scholarship as an Oxford don. Garth draws on his profound knowledge of Tolkien's life and work to shed light on the extraordinary processes of invention behind Tolkien's works of fantasy. He also debunks popular misconceptions about the inspirations for Middle-earth and puts forward strong new claims of his own.

An illustrated journey into the life and imagination of one of the world's best-loved authors, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien provides a unique exploration of the relationship between the real and the fantastical and is an essential companion for anyone who wants to follow in Tolkien's footsteps.

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The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth
"Fascinating, gorgeously illustrated and thought-provoking. . . . [A] masterful book."—Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post

A lavishly illustrated look at the locales familiar to J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth

This book takes you to the places that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to create his fictional locations in The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other classic works. Written by renowned Tolkien expert John Garth, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien features a wealth of breathtaking illustrations, including Tolkien's own drawings, contributions from other artists, rare archival images, and spectacular color photos of contemporary locations across Britain and beyond, from the battlefields of World War I to Africa.

Garth identifies the locales that served as the basis for Hobbiton, the elven valley of Rivendell, the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep, and many other settings in Middle-earth, from mountains and forests to rivers, lakes, and shorelands. He reveals the rich interplay between Tolkien's personal travels, his wide reading, and his deep scholarship as an Oxford don. Garth draws on his profound knowledge of Tolkien's life and work to shed light on the extraordinary processes of invention behind Tolkien's works of fantasy. He also debunks popular misconceptions about the inspirations for Middle-earth and puts forward strong new claims of his own.

An illustrated journey into the life and imagination of one of the world's best-loved authors, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien provides a unique exploration of the relationship between the real and the fantastical and is an essential companion for anyone who wants to follow in Tolkien's footsteps.

29.95 In Stock
The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth

The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth

by John Garth
The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth

The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien: The Places That Inspired Middle-earth

by John Garth

Hardcover

$29.95 
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Overview

"Fascinating, gorgeously illustrated and thought-provoking. . . . [A] masterful book."—Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post

A lavishly illustrated look at the locales familiar to J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth

This book takes you to the places that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien to create his fictional locations in The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other classic works. Written by renowned Tolkien expert John Garth, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien features a wealth of breathtaking illustrations, including Tolkien's own drawings, contributions from other artists, rare archival images, and spectacular color photos of contemporary locations across Britain and beyond, from the battlefields of World War I to Africa.

Garth identifies the locales that served as the basis for Hobbiton, the elven valley of Rivendell, the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep, and many other settings in Middle-earth, from mountains and forests to rivers, lakes, and shorelands. He reveals the rich interplay between Tolkien's personal travels, his wide reading, and his deep scholarship as an Oxford don. Garth draws on his profound knowledge of Tolkien's life and work to shed light on the extraordinary processes of invention behind Tolkien's works of fantasy. He also debunks popular misconceptions about the inspirations for Middle-earth and puts forward strong new claims of his own.

An illustrated journey into the life and imagination of one of the world's best-loved authors, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien provides a unique exploration of the relationship between the real and the fantastical and is an essential companion for anyone who wants to follow in Tolkien's footsteps.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691196947
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 06/09/2020
Pages: 208
Sales rank: 1,002,177
Product dimensions: 8.50(w) x 10.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

John Garth is the author of the award-winning Tolkien and the Great War (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). A writer, editor, and consultant, he gives talks and teaches courses internationally. He is also a regular contributor to the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, and other leading publications. He lives in Hampshire, England. Twitter @JohnGarthWriter

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This marvelous book draws on Garth's substantial research, his perceptive observations about how Tolkien responded to places and changed them for his own purposes, and insights by other Tolkien specialists. Wonderfully supported by a gallery of illustrations, The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien is a fine achievement."—Kevin Crossley-Holland, author of The Norse Myths

"Magnificent. The commentary is great, really thoroughly researched; the pictures are stunning."—Tom Shippey, author of The Road to Middle-earth and J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century

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