very pretty

Day does an excellent job of explicating some of the intricacies of Tolkien's world, particularly the convoluted mythology of The Silmarillion. I'm not a big fan of the artwork in this book, though, which makes the whole thing only halfway successful for me.

A sumptuous feast for the eyes to any lover of illustrations or fantasy art. Almost refined to a science, Day lists in logical order every beast, humanoid, age and other major Tolkien factoids.

But the illustrations, created by various artists from across the fantasy art spectrum, is what drew me in.

One of my personal favorite books based on Tolkien's work and ranks right up there with Letters and his biographies. The art style is nothing like what you would expect, especially if you saw the movies first. Thankfully, I didn't. So I have an increased appreciation for what Middle-Earth looks like in my mind, as opposed to Peter Jackson's. Highly recommended for the Tolkien enthusiast. But the purists may still want to stick with their own vision of Middle-Earth. Me? I say bring it on. You can never have enough art bringing to life the richest and expansive fantasy work of them all.

That brief, shinning moment - when a neighbor gives permission for you to peruse their library, when you should be helping them dust and shift trash.
Always take it, never can tell what you may find on other's shelves that might interest you.

Much was the same with me, when this was pulled from a cramped shelf of Choral binders. To say I was surprised is an understatement; to say I was thrilled can be measure best by the richter scale.
I had never known of this book, I come from a long line of 'GEEKS' who from time to time have made mention of many books concerning Tolkien and his World. Never this one, and it makes me wonder why?

Of course, none had heard of it. That was also surprising, since the book is offered in many different prints and different priceranges. I felt like Indiana Jones, smug and proud of discovering something before others.(Sorry for mixing fandoms.)

Needless to say, I wasted my productive afternoon pouring through the pages. I was quite taken with the art and the knowlegde it held. I shall not play dumb that I haven't a fig of knowlegde on his world otherwise. Which is why my geeks-in-laws quizzed me, and much to their displeasure, I got their questions right.

Should I ever come across this again, there would be no hesitastion on my part, or my wallets, to snatch it up and add it to the collection.

Day's work is interesting but not well sourced and at times can come to unusual conclusions about Tolkien's work that was left ambiguous or unknown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXhqn...

It's not very useful as a reference material because the same subject will have multiple entries but no cross-references within entries. I'd recommend Foster's Guide to Middle-Earth if you want a book to actually look up stuff in.

That being said, this was really fun to read and had really excellent illustrations.

i found this book to be chalk full of useful and cool things to know about the world of Middle earth. i feel like a pro on all things Tolkien now. it talks about histories and creatures and peoples that you might not get fully from the books and characters that you want to know more about.

This is a joyfully detailed guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien from the people and races to the animals and plants that play integral roles in the Middle Earth stories that Tolkien unleashed upon the world, and not just LOTR either. Day has made sure that all of those beings and beasts that Tolkien conjured are represented and discussed and with a passion and eye for detail that is deserving of Tolkien himself (I'm not biased...honestly). Added to this Day has brought together an excellent team of illustrators that use both black and white and colour images to bring Tolkien's world to life even more than it is already.

the ring will be annihilation and the araghor will be king.

Although you will find many detractors from David Day's work, it has come to my attention that this book is 100% accurate.

Many people who claim that David Day's compilation is "trash", are those who insist that he makes up entries to satisfy white space.

This could not be further from the truth. Being a Tolkien enthusiast, I have done a great deal of searching throughout Tolkien's books, letters, and notations made by Christopher Tolkien. In my search, I have found evidence of direct citations used by David Day.

If you enjoy Tolkien, and do not have time to search appendicies, Tolkien's letters, or Tolkien's notations (both J.R.R. and Christopher), then I suggest you purchase this book. This book is on the money, and there is a reason why Christopher Tolkien has not decried David Day's work - because David Day did his research.