Book Description
J. R. R. Tolkien created an entire fantasy world-complete with its own history, languages, geography, and literature. Readers are quickly caught up in orcs and hobbits, ents, elvin lords, and hundreds of other fascinating and often complex characters who inhabit this magical place. But what are readers to do when they can't remember who Amras was, where in Middle-earth Caras Galadon can be found, or what one might expect to see in the Halls of Mandos? They can open their copy of the J. R. R. Tolkien Handbook. This helpful guide presents all the key characters, places, and things of importance in Tolkien's writings in dictionary format. It also contains details about Tolkien's friends and colleagues, the writers and thinkers who influenced his work, summaries of his beliefs and how they are revealed in his writing, and a handy list of Tolkien's works. Asterisks within articles show other references, allowing readers and students to follow themes that capture their interest and discover more on how Tolkien's life and writing interweave. Tolkien fans, especially those newly introduced to his work by the Lord of the Rings movies, will find this handbook extremely useful for probing the depths of a thoughtful man and his intricate books.

From the Back Cover
Unlock the secrets to a thoughtful man and his world of orcs, hobbits, dragons, ents, and elvin lords. J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and more, created an entire fantasy world complete with its own history, languages, geography, literature, and hundreds of fascinating characters. This helpful guide, arranged in dictionary format, gives you quick and easy access to the key characters, events, and places in Tolkienís writings. The J. R. R. Tolkien Handbook also contains details about Tolkienís friends and colleagues, the writers and thinkers who influenced his work, summaries of his beliefs and how they are revealed in his writing, and a handy list of Tolkienís works. Asterisks within articles allow you to follow the themes that interest you most and discover how Tolkienís life and writing interwove. Compiler Colin Duriez has written and lectured extensively on Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. The author of The C.S. Lewis Encyclopedia and coauthor of The Inklings Handbook, Duriez lives in Leicester, England.

About the Author
Compiler Colin Duriez has written and lectured extensively on Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. The author of The C.S. Lewis Encyclopedia and coauthor of The Inklings Handbook, Duriez lives in Leicester, England.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

J. R. R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and more, created an entire fantasy world complete with its own history, languages, geography, literature, and hundreds of fascinating characters. This helpful guide, arranged in dictionary format, gives you quick and easy access to the key characters, events, and places in Tolkien's writings.