A Middle-Earth Traveler: Sketches from Bag End to Mordor

by John Howe

A Middle-earth Traveler is an illustrated guide to J.R.R. Tolkien's most famous creation, with lavish art showing the many locations and characters the author described in his classic novels, along with notes on their importance to the world.

A Middle-earth Traveler presents a walking tour of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, visiting not only places central to his stories, but also those just over the hill or beyond the horizon. Events from Tolkien’s books are explored—battles of the different ages that are almost legend by the time of The Lord of the Rings; lost kingdoms and ancient myths, as well as those places only hinted at: kingdoms of the far North and lands beyond the seas.

Sketches that have an ‘on-the-spot’ feel to them are interwoven with the artist’s observations gleaned from Tolkien’s books and recollections of his time spent in Middle-earth while working alongside Peter Jackson on the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies. Combining concept work produced for films, existing Middle-earth art, and many new paintings and sketches exclusive to this book, A Middle-earth Traveler will take the reader on a unique and unforgettable journey across Tolkien’s magical landscape.
 

Genres: Fantasy, Art, Fiction, High Fantasy, Picture Books, Reference, Graphic Novels

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2018

About the author

John Howe is a Canadian book illustrator, living in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. One year after graduating from high school, he studied in a college in Strasbourg, France, then at the École des arts décoratifs in the same town.

He is best known for his work based on J. R. R. Tolkien's worlds. Howe and Tolkien artist Alan Lee served as chief conceptual designers for Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, and Howe also did the illustration for the Lord of the Rings board game created by Reiner Knizia. Howe also re-illustrated the maps of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion in 1996–2003. His work is not limited to this, and includes images of myths such as the Anglo Saxon legend of Beowulf (he also illustrated Knizia's board game Beowulf: The Legend). Howe illustrated many other books, amongst which many belong to the fantasy genre (Robin Hobb's books for instance.) He also contributed to the film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. In 2005 a limited edition of George R. R. Martin's novel A Clash of Kings was released by Meisha Merlin, complete with numerous illustrations by Howe.

Howe has illustrated cards for the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.

For The Hobbit films, original director Guillermo del Toro and replacement director Peter Jackson both consulted with Howe and fellow conceptual artist Alan Lee to ensure continuity of design.

Howe is a member of the living history group the Company of Saynt George, and has considerable expertise in ancient and medieval armour and armaments.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John^^Howe

Reviews

[Silvana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually my first owned illustrated book about Middle-earth. Been eyeing that illustrated Silmarillion by Ted Nasmith for ages, of course.

As far as illustrations go, undeniably most of them are just marvelous. The dragons, especially Ancalagon, were fantastic. The places, like the White Towers in Eriador, pose some evocative imageries. However, some drawings could use a bit more lighting since I could not see the details.

I enjoyed behind-the-scene stories given at the end of the book, e.g. how he and Lee made a minor mistake in designing a part of Lake Town and how he secretly wished he got cast as one of the dwarves by making himself a model for his dwarf design. He mentioned (and gave a drawing of) an asymmetrical bow for she-who-should-not-be-named that did not make it to the movies and I do like the look it.

My critic of this book is that I wish there are more illustrations of events not in the main trilogy and the Hobbit but in The Silmarillion and some other HoME books. Some stills from the movies are still included, which are unnecessary. Moreover, I found at least two typos. One of them is quite glaring: Eorlinga instead of Eorlingas.

[Ljubomir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасен албум, в който са поместени множество графики и ескизи (тук-там и някой рендър, както и няколко живописни творби) на любимия ми Джон Хау, придружени с цитати от книгите и кратки описателни текстове.

Българското издание, доколкото виждам, по нищо не се различава от английското. Единствената ми забележка са някои неточности в превода, което при Artline, за жалост, е нещо често срещано.

Има откровени грешки като имената, започващи с латинската буква C (Cirith Ungol, Celebdil и т.н.), които на кирилица навсякъде са преведени със С, вместко с К (правилното е Кирит Унгол, не Сирит Унгол), или malorn, което е преведено като малорна, вместо като малорн.

Има и две-три самостоятелни решения, несъобразени с вече установения превод, например колесарите са преведени като колесничари. (Тук трябва да отбележа, че едно от решенията всъщност е наполовина правилно. Любомир Николов по някаква причина превежда Dimholt Glen като Тъмната клисура, но Dimholt всъщност не трябва да се превежда, защото е на рохански, не на английски, пък и мястото като че ли не е точно клисура. В настоящия текст името правилно е оставено Димхолт. Glen обаче също не е преведено, а то си е на английски и би следвало да се преведе, така че всъщност вместо Димхолт Глен, трябва да е Димхолската долчина, да речем.)

Има фактологични неточности (които потенциално може и да са грешки в оригиналния текст, не ми се търсеше да сравнявам): Фингон на два пъти в рамките на няколко изречения е прекръстен на Феанор; Ороме е наречен "маярският ловец", а той е валар, не маяр; на едно място пише, че Рохан се намира на север от Мъгливите планини и на юг от Белите планини, а всъщност е обратното.

Има и някои грешки на български, като употребата на глаголните форми в изречението "Цепнатината [...] едва се е затворила [...], когато някой ги бута, щипе, блъска и запраща към гоблинския град, за да се срещнат с Великия гоблин", или неправилния избор на дума в изречението "Разпростирайки се в продължение на цели деветстотин мили - от Карн Дум [...] до Дол Баран [...] - планинската верига..." (Това съм го срещал и на други места, така че може и аз да греша, но езиковото ми усещане е, че "в продължение на" предполага разпростиране във времето, не в пространството, и евентуално може да се използва с мярка за разстояние, само ако става дума за някакво движение, например преследване в продължение на километри; вместо това може да използваме "по протежение на" или "на разстояние от", макар че по различни причини и те не ми звучат съвсем добре тук, така че можем и да избягаме от цялата конструкция и да кажем просто "Дълга цели деветстотин мили...", последвано евентуално от "и простираща се от Карн Дум до Дол Баран, планинската верига...", ако държим да запазим (раз)простирането.)

С изключение на отделните забележки обаче, през останалото време текстът като цяло върви гладко, така че за пореден път недоволството ми всъщност не е от превода, а от липсата на редакция. (Още повече, че текстът не е особено обемен, което прави грешките хем по-набиващи се на очи, хем по-неизвиними.)


ПП Всеки път, когато някой хареса моя публикация, си я изчитам отново, хаха, и всеки път намирам грешки (това го пиша, защото настоящето ревю го редактирам неколкократно), което също иде да покаже колко важни са редакторите. Редактирайте бе, хора!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, containing gorgeous sketches and artwork from The Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, and even some from Tolkien's other works. John Howe masterfully draws out middle earth, describing his pieces of art and the history behind them.
I treasured reading this book, taking it up little bits at a time, and just admiring the art. John Howe is so incredibly talented, his depictions of everything so detailed and realistic. It it such a blessing that they had him to help work on the movies of LOTR and The Hobbit, because his skill and imagination brought it all to life.

[Jaiden Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL!!😍💖👌

Illustrations: Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😍

Writing: Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐👌

This was such a lovely book! Beautiful descriptions of Middle-earth's landscapes and lore with stunning traditional graphite pencil Illustrations and vivid paintings.😍💖 and I loved how the descriptions included actual scenes from Tolkien's book as well! (Tho it did make me really want to reread LotR and the Hobbit...lol!😂)
John Howe is officially one of my new favorite illustrators, his drawings are so gorgeous and full of detail, I love his style!
And the behind the scenes during the filming of the Hobbit were so fun, I enjoyed learning little fun facts about the set and the funny stories amidst the art and design crew!😂💖
This is a great book for any Tolkien and art fan (like myself)!😉💖

[Chris Gousopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few things stir my imagination more than when John Howe makes artwork for the Middle Earth.

[Knigoqdec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Много съм щастлива, че тази книга излезе на български. Изключително красива е. Покрай нея изскочи една интересна тема - осъзнах, че изкуството на този илюстратор е оформило огромна част от вижданията ми за фентъзи световете като цяло. Аз си представям нещата чрез неговото въображение. Винаги и навсякъде.
И ми посочиха нещо, което чак сега наистина осъзнавам: Ето защо има хора, които толкова държат детските книжки да имат определени илюстрации. Явно защото тези илюстрации остават с теб, подобно на начина, по който работата на Джон Хау е останала с мен. Досега не съм се замисляла за това, казвам го съвсем честно. Но има логика.
Радвам се, че имахме възможност и за автографи ♥

[Talbot Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you desire an afternoon through Middle-earth, revisiting old haunts and inspiring deeper travels, this is a patient and knowledgeable guide along those paths. Aside from a few typos and questionable font choices, a lovely book with exceedingly-marvelous illustrations. We are all in debt to Howe and Lee for guiding the films with such profound artistic vision. Thank you both.

[Martina]

Za normálnych okolností si na doplnkové knihy k všakovakým fantasy sériám veľmi nepotrpím (obzvlášť sa im vyhýbam v prípade, že ich ani len nenapísal samotný autor, ale ktosi iný), no pri Putovaní po Stredozemi, prekrásne ilustrovanom cestopise, respektíve sprievodcovi svetom Pána prsteňov, som odolať nedokázala. 

Tie obrazy, farby, dôraz aj na tie najmenšie detaily... či fakt, že Putovanie vzniklo vďaka Johnovi Howeovi, kanadskému ilustrátorovi, ktorý sa už neraz podieľal na ilustrovaní Tolkienových kníh i príprave filmových spracovaní jeho príbehov, ma okamžite presvedčil, že som urobila dobre. 

Prostredníctvom Howeovho Putovania a svojskej kombinácie kratučkých úryvkov a prepracovaných ilustrácií, ktoré ponúka, som sa opäť raz preniesla do nádherne-hrozivého sveta prastarých kúziel a starobylej mágie, nahliadla do hobitích obydlí, trpasličích nôr i elfských stromových príbytkov či pobudla na dvoroch kráľov aj na bojiskách "stredozemských" dejín.

Z Grófstva do Vododolu, z Vododolu do Lothlórienu... Gondor, Rohan i Hora osudu. Hobiti, elfovia, draci, trpaslíci i ľudia.

Tým, ktorí Tolkienov svet veľmi nepoznajú, Putovanie zrejme veľa nedá (oku ulahodí, no myseľ prekvapená čudesnými menami a neznámymi miestami bude tápať), milovníci Streozeme si však prídu na svoje.

[Sean Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book, I would recommend to any fan of the Lord of the Rings book and films

[Lena's Version · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menuda belleza de recopilación de bocetos artísticos sobre la Tierra Media. Conocía al artista de siempre, por su trabajo dando vida al universo de Tolkien, pero tenerlo y admirarlo en papel es un regalo para la vista.
El “viaje” me ha resultado un poco raro en algún momento sobre cómo lo han estructurado en el libro, pero se compensa por los pequeños exhaustivos detalles sobre la historia que ilustra. Inconmensurable el poder imaginativo tanto de Tolkien como del artista.

[Pflanzis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe genau das bekommen, was ich wollte! Einen Bildband voller Bleistiftzeichnungen von John Howe über die er Mittelerde erforscht und kennengelernt hat. Es sind bekannte Orte dargestellt, aber auch solche, die man in den Filmen nicht sehen konnte. Belegost und Nogrod zum Beispiel. Besonders angesprochen hat mich auch eine Bleistiftzeichnung des Hohen Hags. Ich habe einfach gern durchgeblättert und mich in den Bildern verloren.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A+ sketches and the written bits told with a great voice (I laughed aloud in several places, it was a good time)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drawings are awesome but the text is all plot summary rather than artistic process or anything which was a bummer.

[Bright Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a masterpiece!
This book is a little gem, with hundreds and hundreds of stunning drawings!
This is definitely a must-have for all Tolkien's fan ♥

[Carlos J. Eguren · Rating 5 out of 5]

270/365

[Alles Allerlei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfassbar schöne Skizzen und Zeichnungen welche einen noch einmal in die Welt von Tolkien zurückversetzten.
Ich hatte mir jedoch ursprünglich ein bisschen etwas anderes vorgestellt, eher Beschreibungen was Howe zu den einzelnen ideen inspiriert hatte - das kam zwar auch minimal drin vor aber ich hatte mir hier durchaus mehr erhofft.
Dennoch eine tolle Ergänzung für die Liebhaber der Filme und Bücher

[Midnight.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odporúčam : na svoje si príde každý fanúšik Tolkienovho Pána prsteňov, Hobita a zákulisia z natáčania filmov

Neodporúčam : ak od knihy čakáte, že si doplníte už bohaté vedomosti. Je to cestopis plný ilustrácií s krátkymi opismi.

Asi každý fanúšik Tolkienovho sveta vie, aká je Stredozem obšírna. Môžete mať knihu prečítanú aj sto krát, no každým ďalším prečítaním objavíte niečo nové. Vďaka filmom sme mohli aj vizuálne navštíviť niektoré končiny Stredozeme, mnohé však zostali ešte neprebádané.

John Howe, kanadský ilustrátor, ktorý pracoval aj na filmoch Pán prsteňov či Hobit, nám niektoré priblíži prostredníctvom svojich nádherných kresieb. Kresby sú vždy doprevádzané kratšími informáciami o miestach, tvoroch či architektúrach.

Veľmi odporúčam prečítať si aj Doslov, ktorý nájdete na konci knihy. Dozviete sa veľa o zákulisí z natáčania filmov Petera Jacksona, ako vyzerá práca ilustrátora na filmoch, ktoré kresby sa použili a aké zážitky John Howe popri tvorení zažil.

Myslím, že kniha poteší každého fanúšika Tolkiena a ja ju veľmi odporúčam aj ako darček. Spracovanie je proste nádherné.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantástico libro que nos hace viajar por la Tierra Media, a nivel mapa e históricamente, a través de pequeños textos y con los fabulosos dibujos y bocetos de Howe.
Lugares, personajes, razas... Todo resumido en 200 páginas que hará las delicias de todos los fans del profesor.

[Elinor Loredan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a visual feast and shows a thorough knowledge of Middle Earth (although sometimes this knowledge is based more on the films than the books). I thought that the text would give insights into the creation of the artwork, so in that way I was slightly disappointed. I also think that the myths and legends that inspired Tolkien were emphasized a bit too much. I like to know what inspires an author, and I am irritated when other authors are accused of copying Tolkien when obviously he borrowed from mythology himself. But harping on an author's inspirations more than their creativity can undercut the author's own inventiveness. The content felt a bit scattered at times, moving from locations in Middle Earth to people/creatures to weapons and back to locations. All of these complaints are minor, however. This book delighted me, and I devoured it in a few hours.

[talia ♡]

reminder to check your local little free libraries because you can find some amazing gems in perfect, unused condition like this gorgeoussss illustrated book about middle-earth!

[Maverick Glaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

*starts packing for New Zealand*

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning arrangement of illustrations by the author, I am in awe. John Howe has created an incredible collection of artwork paired with captions and quotes directly from Tolkien's works. Phenomenal and memorable, I want to read it over and over!!

[Daniel A. Penagos-Betancur · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Howe es junto a Alan Lee y Ted Nasmith uno de los grandes referentes en cuanto a obra pictórica de la Tierra Media. Su trabajo ha estado en las portadas de múltiples ediciones de la obra de Tolkien, libros sobre ella, juegos, calendarios y otro merchandising. No en balde junto a Lee ha hecho parte del equipo creativo de las dos trilogías cinematográficas de Peter Jackson. Howe entre los amantes de la obra de Tolkien es un mito en todo el sentido de la palabra.

Desde que supe de este libro y hasta que lo tuve en mis manos pensé que era un catálogo de la obra de John Howe sobre la Tierra Media y no es así; es, como lo promete el título, una colección de bocetos que él ha hecho con un especial énfasis en los sitios. Los bocetos a lápiz vienen acompañados de algunos textos en los cuales el mismo Howe medita sobre algún tema en particular de la obra de Tolkien y alguna que otra interpretación particular de ella. Si lo que el lector está buscando es una colección sobre la obra pictórica de Howe, este no es el libro que busca, pues sus pinturas más famosas no están acá.

Resulta muy interesante tener entre las manos este libro álbum porque siempre vi la obra final de Howe en alguno de los productos que ya cité, así, sin más, solo la imagen del mítico Gandalf que llega a La Comarca o la imagen del aguerrido Túrin que clava su espada en Glaurung. Ya, nada más, punto. En cambio, con este libro en las manos es como si uno estuviera sentado en el Dragón Verde o en el Pony Pisador mientras comparte alguna que otra cerveza con el mismo John y poco a poco él te va contando lo que vio luego de su última expedición por la Tierra Media ida y vuelta. ¡Fenomenal!

La idea más clara que me queda del libro es que John Howe entiende la Tierra Media desde muchos campos y procura dejarlos claros en cada una de sus obras. Viendo los dibujos que acompañan el libro se nota una preocupación constante por dejar muy claro las estructuras de los lugares que nos muestra: Dónde termina una columna, un muro, el andamiaje del techo, la luz que necesita cada lugar, los objetos que necesita ese lugar, qué hay detrás de esa ventana. Es que no son simples dibujos de un lugar imaginario, como muchos pensarán. Acá hay estudio, hay muchas horas de trabajo logrando que las palabras se conviertan en algo visual y que sean completamente lógicas dentro de las leyes naturales.

Junto con esto, Howe propone un viaje por algunas de las fuentes de las que bebió Tolkien a la hora de imaginar su obra. Es asombroso como Howe logra establecer conexiones acá y allá cada tanto e incluso ser capaz de plasmarlas en su trabajo. Esto es una muestra de lo que significa para él el Legendarium y el profesionalismo con el cual lo aborda. Howe no ve la Tierra Media simplemente como una fuente de trabajo, para Howe la Tierra Media es igual de real que lo es para los medianos, elfos, enanos, orcos, ents que la habitan.

Howe recorre muchos de los parajes que son más emblemáticos de la Tierra Media con un detalle increíble y de cada uno procura mostrar los elementos pictóricos propios y dar algún que otro detalle histórico, algo que no viene mal así el lector sea un viejo lobo de mar por los parajes de Arda. Todo esto con el impulso de curiosidad del descubrir qué se esconde detrás de cada muro, árbol o encima de alguna colina.

Este libro me devolvió diez años de vida, quizás más, y me devolvió a una época en la cual pasaba mucho tiempo maravillado con cada una de las pinturas que iba descubriendo sobre la Tierra Media y que me ayudaban a imaginar tantos parajes y acontecimientos que hay dentro del Legendarium. ¡Qué tiempos tan maravillosos esos!

En definitiva, este libro álbum es la oportunidad de ver/leer la Tierra Media desde los ojos de uno de los caminantes más notables de la actualidad.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Middle-Earth Traveler: Sketches from Bag End to Mordor by John Howe shows the artwork and imagination of the author as he has interpreted the words written by J.R.R. Tolkien. This book is filled with sketches and details the story that puts the pictures in context for the reader. Many of Howe's drawings look like they were used as blueprints for the structures and locales featured in both the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie trilogies. Howe's drawings are sharp and architectural with a darkness that reflects Tolkien's work and shines on the screen in Peter Jackson's adaptation. I would love to have seen more of the armor design for which Howe is so well known, but overall, A Middle-Earth Traveler is a wonderful look into the world of Middle-Earth through one of the minds that has created so many of the images that we associate with that fantasy.

[Marko Vasić · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Howe is my favourite Tolkien's illustrator - in an eye blink ahead of Alan Lee and Ted Nasmith known best for his illustrations for The Silmarillion. Sir Howe is more than any other of aforementioned artists prone and known of armour sketches, as well as interiors of the various edifices and fortifications throughout the Middle-Earth. Above all, I am grateful for his marvellous illustrations of the scenes from The Silmarillion which is my favourite Tolkien's book until the end of time.

[Nyanbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tengo que decir que he disfrutado de principio a fin con cada una de estas páginas porque las ilustraciones tan maravillosas te hacen sentir como si realmente viajaras por La Tierra Media y otros lugares, además de una gran cercanía hacia estos paisajes y personajes. Por otro lado, las breves descripciones que poseían muchas de estas páginas me han hecho recordar con nostalgia la gran aventura que había vivido al leer estos libros. Esto ha sido sin duda lo que más me ha gustado de este libro.

Otro aspecto importante que también me ha gustado mucho, han sido las referencias hacia distintos mitos y mitologías en los que se pudo haber inspirado Tolkien para crear el origen de su mundo y personajes, como por ejemplo, la relación de " Smaug el Dorado" con historias islandesas y nórdicas. Esto me sorprendió mucho, ya que desconocía la gran semejanza que poseen.

Por otro lado, me hubiese gustado que aparecieran algunos pocos lugares que eché en falta.

En conclusión, si os gusta todo lo relacionado con este impresionante mundo, os lo recomiendo, ya que te sumergirá de nuevo en él. Es un libro realmente precioso, con una lectura muy amena y rápida.

Ten en cuenta que si no has leído otros libros de Tolkien, puedes spoilearte.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro hay que tomarlo como lo que es, un viaje a lo largo de La Tierra Media, tanto físico como histórico, a través de las maravillosas ilustraciones de John Howe, acompañadas de breves textos explicatorios o, sí ya has disfrutado la historia en los libros de Tolkien, a modo de recordatorio. Una maravilla para los ojos de los más fans del autor, y de su mundo fantástico.
Me he demorado largo tiempo admirando las ilustraciones de Howe, seguramente de vez en cuando, vaya a la estantería para abrir sus páginas y volver a encontrarme con La Tierra Media plasmada a lápiz.

[Alberto García · Rating 4 out of 5]

No tanto por el contenido escrito, del que siendo sincero me esperaba más (no mucho, pero sí algo más de información), el caso es que sin duda merece mucho la pena recreare en los espléndidos diseños e ilustraciones, comparar los estilos (siempre con los propios que cada uno da en su intimidad a las historias que lee) y admirar el enorme trabajo que hay detrás. Si lo recomiendo a todo amante de la Tierra Media, aún más debo hacerlo con aquellos que también deseen crear historias, pues el trabajo de fantasear y usar la imaginación, requiere también de un gran esfuerzo y documentación en amplitud de materias, como siempre ha enseñado y enseña el maestro Tolkien.

[Aintzane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los dibujos bien se merecen un 12 sobre 10.

[Мартин Касабов · Rating 3 out of 5]

Завинаги ще съжалявам, че не отидох до София, не видях Джон Хау и не взех автограф...