What do you think?
Rate this book
The Illustrated World of Tolkien
An enchanting reference book for everything Tolkien!
J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional universe is as infinite as the human imagination, but not all who wander are lost! The Illustrated World of Tolkien is an excellent guide to Middle-earth and the Undying Lands. Vivid descriptions of all Tolkien’s beasts, monsters, races, nations, deities, and the flora and fauna of the territory are contained herein. Full-color pages with stunning illustrations create an enchanting source for information on all the fantastical places and creatures that sprung from Tolkien’s mind. Special features include a detailed map, a chronology of all ages, a general index, and a special index that will refer you to Tolkien’s original works for each entry.
This work is unofficial and is not authorized by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.
J. R. R. Tolkien’s fictional universe is as infinite as the human imagination, but not all who wander are lost! The Illustrated World of Tolkien is an excellent guide to Middle-earth and the Undying Lands. Vivid descriptions of all Tolkien’s beasts, monsters, races, nations, deities, and the flora and fauna of the territory are contained herein. Full-color pages with stunning illustrations create an enchanting source for information on all the fantastical places and creatures that sprung from Tolkien’s mind. Special features include a detailed map, a chronology of all ages, a general index, and a special index that will refer you to Tolkien’s original works for each entry.
This work is unofficial and is not authorized by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2019
60 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
David Day
280 books264 followersDavid Day (b. 14 October 1947 in Victoria, British Columbia) is a Canadian author of over forty books: poetry, natural history, ecology, mythology, fantasy, and children's literature. Internationally he is most notably known for his literary criticism on J. R. R. Tolkien and his works.
After finishing high school in Victoria, British Columbia, Day worked as a logger for five years on Vancouver Island before graduating from the University of Victoria. Subsequently he has travelled widely, most frequently to Greece and Britain.
Day has published six books of poems for adults and ten illustrated children's books of fiction and poetry. His non-fiction books on natural history include The Doomsday Book of Animals, The Whale War, Eco Wars: a Layman Guide to the Environmental Movement, Noah's Choice and most recently Nevermore: A Book of Hours - Meditations on Extinction (2012).
His Doomsday Book was a Time Magazine Book of the Year and became the basis for the 100 part animated-short TV series "Lost Animals of the 20th Century".
David Days best-selling books on the life and works of JRR Tolkien include: A Tolkien Bestiary, Tolkien: the Illustrated Encyclopedia, Tolkien's Ring, The World of Tolkien and The Hobbit Companion.
Day's Tolkien's Ring was illustrated by academy award-winning artist Alan Lee, as was Castles, The Animals Within, Gothic and Quest For King Arthur.
After finishing high school in Victoria, British Columbia, Day worked as a logger for five years on Vancouver Island before graduating from the University of Victoria. Subsequently he has travelled widely, most frequently to Greece and Britain.
Day has published six books of poems for adults and ten illustrated children's books of fiction and poetry. His non-fiction books on natural history include The Doomsday Book of Animals, The Whale War, Eco Wars: a Layman Guide to the Environmental Movement, Noah's Choice and most recently Nevermore: A Book of Hours - Meditations on Extinction (2012).
His Doomsday Book was a Time Magazine Book of the Year and became the basis for the 100 part animated-short TV series "Lost Animals of the 20th Century".
David Days best-selling books on the life and works of JRR Tolkien include: A Tolkien Bestiary, Tolkien: the Illustrated Encyclopedia, Tolkien's Ring, The World of Tolkien and The Hobbit Companion.
Day's Tolkien's Ring was illustrated by academy award-winning artist Alan Lee, as was Castles, The Animals Within, Gothic and Quest For King Arthur.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 15, 2025
[ESP/ENG]
Antes que nada, indicar que esta obra no está autorizada por la Tolkien estate, y lo indica como tal en la contraportada, pero usa bastantes frases de sus obras y además siempre tiene mucho respeto por el trabajo de Tolkien.
Esta obra es un compendio de cosas de las diferentes obras de Tolkien. Aquí se tratan personajes, lugares, razas, paisajes e incluso batallas, y lo que todo ello supone para diferentes artistas que han hecho algunos trabajos sobre todo ello. No hay que esperar encontar mucha información, sino más bien la visión personal de dichos artistas sobre estos temas.
El punto fuerte es que trae muchas ilustraciones (malo sería que no, dado que se llama mundo ilustrado), y con mucha variedad. Te pueden gustar más, te pueden gustar menos, pero reflejan como ven ellos y como plasman ellos el amplio universo que creó Tolkien. Yo en particular me quedo con dos artistas que he descubierto aquí, Kip Rasmussen y Mauro Mazzara, pero hay otras muchas ilustraciones muy buenas.
Se habla mucho de otros trabajos similares, como son Bestiario de Tolkien y Tolkien Enciclopedia Ilustrada, ambas obras creadas por el autor de este, David Day. Si tienes alguno de ellos quizá sea redundante, puesto que trata más o menos los mismos temas, aunque este tiene nuevas ilustraciones pero con información menos detallada. Pero la verdad es que merece mucho la pena si te gusta este universo, solo por ver algunas de las maravillosas ilustraciones en una edición de buena calidad, con un papel sin brillo y resistente y un buen tamaño para poder apreciar todas esas ilustraciones.
Le quito una estrella por algo que quizá es subjetivo, pero que a mi maniático interno le ha superado en ocasiones. Y es que usa términos y nombres a veces sin traducir o a veces mal traducidas que no concuerdan con las obras que trata. Ya digo que es algo menor pero que una obra tan cuidada como esta sufra de esas inconsistencias le resta algo.
Para terminar la reseña, dejar una imágen de muestra, que siempre hace bonito:
-----------------
First of all, indicate that this work is not authorized by the Tolkien estate, and it indicates it as such on the back cover, but it uses quite a few phrases from his works and also always has a lot of respect for Tolkien's work.
This work is a compendium of things from the different works of Tolkien. Characters, places, races, landscapes and even battles are discussed here, and what all this means for different artists who have done some work on all of this. Do not expect to find much information, but rather the personal vision of these artists on these issues.
The strong point is that it brings a lot of illustrations (it would be bad if it didn't, since it's called illustrated world), and with a lot of variety. You may like them more, you may like them less, but they reflect how the authors see and how the authors represent the vast universe that Tolkien created. I really like two artists that I have discovered here, Kip Rasmussen and Mauro Mazzara, but there are many other very good illustrations.
There is a lot of talk about other similar works, such as Tolkien's Bestiary and Tolkien Encyclopedia Illustrated, both works created by the author of this book, David Day. If you have any of them it may be redundant, since it deals with more or less the same topics, although this one has new illustrations but with less detailed information. But the truth is that it is worth it if you like this universe, just to see some of the wonderful illustrations in a good quality edition, with a dull and resistant paper and a good size to be able to appreciate all those illustrations.
I'm taking a star off for something that may be subjective, but my inner maniac has gotten the better of it on occasion. And it is that it uses terms and names in the spanish translated edition that are sometimes untranslated or sometimes poorly translated, that do not fit with the works it deals with. I know that it is something minor but a work as careful as this suffering from those inconsistencies takes something away from it.
To finish the review, leave a sample image, which always makes it beautiful (just look up⬆)
Antes que nada, indicar que esta obra no está autorizada por la Tolkien estate, y lo indica como tal en la contraportada, pero usa bastantes frases de sus obras y además siempre tiene mucho respeto por el trabajo de Tolkien.
Esta obra es un compendio de cosas de las diferentes obras de Tolkien. Aquí se tratan personajes, lugares, razas, paisajes e incluso batallas, y lo que todo ello supone para diferentes artistas que han hecho algunos trabajos sobre todo ello. No hay que esperar encontar mucha información, sino más bien la visión personal de dichos artistas sobre estos temas.
El punto fuerte es que trae muchas ilustraciones (malo sería que no, dado que se llama mundo ilustrado), y con mucha variedad. Te pueden gustar más, te pueden gustar menos, pero reflejan como ven ellos y como plasman ellos el amplio universo que creó Tolkien. Yo en particular me quedo con dos artistas que he descubierto aquí, Kip Rasmussen y Mauro Mazzara, pero hay otras muchas ilustraciones muy buenas.
Se habla mucho de otros trabajos similares, como son Bestiario de Tolkien y Tolkien Enciclopedia Ilustrada, ambas obras creadas por el autor de este, David Day. Si tienes alguno de ellos quizá sea redundante, puesto que trata más o menos los mismos temas, aunque este tiene nuevas ilustraciones pero con información menos detallada. Pero la verdad es que merece mucho la pena si te gusta este universo, solo por ver algunas de las maravillosas ilustraciones en una edición de buena calidad, con un papel sin brillo y resistente y un buen tamaño para poder apreciar todas esas ilustraciones.
Le quito una estrella por algo que quizá es subjetivo, pero que a mi maniático interno le ha superado en ocasiones. Y es que usa términos y nombres a veces sin traducir o a veces mal traducidas que no concuerdan con las obras que trata. Ya digo que es algo menor pero que una obra tan cuidada como esta sufra de esas inconsistencias le resta algo.
Para terminar la reseña, dejar una imágen de muestra, que siempre hace bonito:
-----------------
First of all, indicate that this work is not authorized by the Tolkien estate, and it indicates it as such on the back cover, but it uses quite a few phrases from his works and also always has a lot of respect for Tolkien's work.
This work is a compendium of things from the different works of Tolkien. Characters, places, races, landscapes and even battles are discussed here, and what all this means for different artists who have done some work on all of this. Do not expect to find much information, but rather the personal vision of these artists on these issues.
The strong point is that it brings a lot of illustrations (it would be bad if it didn't, since it's called illustrated world), and with a lot of variety. You may like them more, you may like them less, but they reflect how the authors see and how the authors represent the vast universe that Tolkien created. I really like two artists that I have discovered here, Kip Rasmussen and Mauro Mazzara, but there are many other very good illustrations.
There is a lot of talk about other similar works, such as Tolkien's Bestiary and Tolkien Encyclopedia Illustrated, both works created by the author of this book, David Day. If you have any of them it may be redundant, since it deals with more or less the same topics, although this one has new illustrations but with less detailed information. But the truth is that it is worth it if you like this universe, just to see some of the wonderful illustrations in a good quality edition, with a dull and resistant paper and a good size to be able to appreciate all those illustrations.
I'm taking a star off for something that may be subjective, but my inner maniac has gotten the better of it on occasion. And it is that it uses terms and names in the spanish translated edition that are sometimes untranslated or sometimes poorly translated, that do not fit with the works it deals with. I know that it is something minor but a work as careful as this suffering from those inconsistencies takes something away from it.
To finish the review, leave a sample image, which always makes it beautiful (just look up⬆)
February 8, 2022
3'5/5✨
Vaya joyita de ejemplar, de verdad. Si sois fans de Tolkien no podéis dejar pasar este libro.
Dividido en diferentes secciones como la creación de su mundo, su geografía, las bestias, las batallas, las edificaciones... este libro recorre todos los rincones de la Tierra Media. Y cuando digo todos, son todos. Como recopilación de sus historias viene de perla para encontrarse y ubicarse en cualquier momento de pérdida.
Además, como está totalmente ilustrado, estos aspectos resultan mucho más identificables. Y es que omg las ilustraciones. Han diferentes artistas en este libro, pero puedo decir que mis ilustraciones favoritas pertenecen en su mayoría a Mauro Mazzara. La verdad es que me han descubierto mucho arte y reinterpretaciones del mundo de Tolkien. Me tenía que tomar un momento para apreciar toda la belleza de estas preciosas ilustraciones, algunas me dejaron boquiabierta de verdad.
Las explicaciones me resultaron muy interesantes, puesto que ahondan un poco en la inspiración del autor y de las bases lingüísticas (como chica de letras estas cosas me encantan).
Como punto negativo, creo que la disposición del texto en ocasiones podría haber sido más óptima, puesto que a veces se quedaba pequeña en comparación al espacio blanco de la página que quedaba. Una letra más grande en estos momentos aprovechables hubiera estado muy bien.
¡Y esto es todo! Repito: si sois fans de Tolkien no podéis dejar pasar este libro.
Vaya joyita de ejemplar, de verdad. Si sois fans de Tolkien no podéis dejar pasar este libro.
Dividido en diferentes secciones como la creación de su mundo, su geografía, las bestias, las batallas, las edificaciones... este libro recorre todos los rincones de la Tierra Media. Y cuando digo todos, son todos. Como recopilación de sus historias viene de perla para encontrarse y ubicarse en cualquier momento de pérdida.
Además, como está totalmente ilustrado, estos aspectos resultan mucho más identificables. Y es que omg las ilustraciones. Han diferentes artistas en este libro, pero puedo decir que mis ilustraciones favoritas pertenecen en su mayoría a Mauro Mazzara. La verdad es que me han descubierto mucho arte y reinterpretaciones del mundo de Tolkien. Me tenía que tomar un momento para apreciar toda la belleza de estas preciosas ilustraciones, algunas me dejaron boquiabierta de verdad.
Las explicaciones me resultaron muy interesantes, puesto que ahondan un poco en la inspiración del autor y de las bases lingüísticas (como chica de letras estas cosas me encantan).
Como punto negativo, creo que la disposición del texto en ocasiones podría haber sido más óptima, puesto que a veces se quedaba pequeña en comparación al espacio blanco de la página que quedaba. Una letra más grande en estos momentos aprovechables hubiera estado muy bien.
¡Y esto es todo! Repito: si sois fans de Tolkien no podéis dejar pasar este libro.
July 2, 2024
Este libro fue como una visita turística guiada por la Tierra Media, maravilloso.
November 18, 2025
Справжній портал у Середзем’я. Абсолютно розкішне видання - від палітурки до останньої сторінки. Занурює у знайомі легенди ще глибше, ніж здавалось можливим: ілюстрації, описи, атмосфера. Видно, що автори та художники справді заглибились у міфологію Толкіна й намагаються передати її дух, а не просто повторити сюжет.
Надзвичайно імерсивна книга🖤
А ще заставила мене трохи гуглити й шукати відповідні сцени й описи в книгах. Це найкраще.
Видання від Varvar однозначно одне з найкрасивіших і найякісніших яке в мене є, приємно не лише читати, а й просто тримати в руках. А ще неймовірна ідея з мініатюркою книги, що прийшла з передзамовленням. Присобачила її до магніта і тепер ці назґули катаються на дверцятах мого холодильника. Чарівно
Надзвичайно імерсивна книга🖤
А ще заставила мене трохи гуглити й шукати відповідні сцени й описи в книгах. Це найкраще.
Видання від Varvar однозначно одне з найкрасивіших і найякісніших яке в мене є, приємно не лише читати, а й просто тримати в руках. А ще неймовірна ідея з мініатюркою книги, що прийшла з передзамовленням. Присобачила її до магніта і тепер ці назґули катаються на дверцятах мого холодильника. Чарівно
December 26, 2019
This is a very cool hardcover where artists talk about Tolkien and how his work inspired their work.
It's also a handbook of Tolkien creatures and characters.
Reading the artists' insights and seeing their interpretations of these legendary figures is a joy, and their creativity is infectious.
Like Gollum and the One Ring, you will need to grab this right away.
It's also possible that possessing this book will drive you bonkers like Gollum. But don't throw it into a volcano. It's too precious.
It's also a handbook of Tolkien creatures and characters.
Reading the artists' insights and seeing their interpretations of these legendary figures is a joy, and their creativity is infectious.
Like Gollum and the One Ring, you will need to grab this right away.
It's also possible that possessing this book will drive you bonkers like Gollum. But don't throw it into a volcano. It's too precious.
September 26, 2023
کتاب خیلی جالبه به خصوص برای یه طرفدار تالکین و نوشته هاش. کتاب مجموعه ای جمع آوری شده از مقالات و تصویر سازی هاست. نویسنده اعلام کرده که مجوزی از تالکین و خانواده و ناشری دریافت نکرده و کتاب به صورت غیر رسمی محسوب می شه.
مقالات کتاب از موجودات، مردم و نژاد ها و مکان ها، سرزمین ها و جنگ ها رو شامل می شه. هر بخش به بیان دیدگاه در مورد پدید اومدن اشخاص و داستان های تامین می پردازه.
چرا اسم ها و ریشه ها در داستان تالکین اهمیت دارند؟؟ چون تالکین همیشه معتقد بود داستانهاش از اسم ها و واژه ها الهام می گیرند.
در کتاب به مباحثی مثل ریشه کلمه Baggins که شخصیت عاشق ماجراجویی بیلبو می سازه تا رابطه ارباب و مستخدم بین فرودو و سام و چرایی و ریشه اون در ذهن تالکین پرداخته نی شه و همین توضیحات برای خواننده عاشقانه با داستان ها جالب هستند.
از سمت دیگه ما تصویرسازی های قدیمی رو داریم که شاید اصلا شبیه فیلم نباشند اما نکته اوج کار تالکین اینه که از توصیفات یه شخص در کتاب تصویرسازی های مختلفی می شه به وجود آورد.
لازم به ذکر با توجه به تحقیقات من این کتاب خلاصه ای از مجموعه ۷ جلدی همین نویسنده است.
در کل من بهش بین ۴ تا ۵ ستاره می دم.
November 2, 2023
Ezotero Guru Středozemě
Mnohé ilustrace jsou krásné, ale pod texty Davida Daye se nepodepíšu. A už vůbec ne v přímé kombinaci s Dobrovským.
Mnohé ilustrace jsou krásné, ale pod texty Davida Daye se nepodepíšu. A už vůbec ne v přímé kombinaci s Dobrovským.
March 20, 2023
I know David Day has a level of pariah in the Tolkien World. Mostly because his "encyclopedias" do not give the most accurate description of Tolkien characters and places. It's difficult to tell where Tolkien ends and Day begins.
This book has present in part the same issue, but thankfully works different. Basically this book has entries for characters, places, battles, etc, but the generally include 3 pieces of information. 1) the Character description by David Day, 2) the illustration by several artists 3)a comment or description by the artist.
1)The David Day description basically have all the problems I mentioned in the first paragraph of the review. Lots of what David thinks presented as Tolkien, BAD BAD BAD
2)The illustration go from ok to great depending on the artist, but in general they are all worthwhile.
3)Descriptions by artist are great, they might talk about the illustrations they made, about their Tolkien experience, about their techniques. In general they are informative and intereting.
So there you have it. Get this book for the art and the artist. Ignore David Day.
This book has present in part the same issue, but thankfully works different. Basically this book has entries for characters, places, battles, etc, but the generally include 3 pieces of information. 1) the Character description by David Day, 2) the illustration by several artists 3)a comment or description by the artist.
1)The David Day description basically have all the problems I mentioned in the first paragraph of the review. Lots of what David thinks presented as Tolkien, BAD BAD BAD
2)The illustration go from ok to great depending on the artist, but in general they are all worthwhile.
3)Descriptions by artist are great, they might talk about the illustrations they made, about their Tolkien experience, about their techniques. In general they are informative and intereting.
So there you have it. Get this book for the art and the artist. Ignore David Day.
March 12, 2024
I liked it, there were some really cool bits of analysis that I didn’t know, and it was fun to learn them. However, most of the analysis was “oh yeah this mythological/historical event inspired this part of lotr” which was cool, but definitely got a bit repetitive, and some of them just seemed like a stretch. However, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous; all of the illustrators did a fantastic job, and getting to learn about some of them and why they love Tolkien was a really nice touch that i really enjoyed. I thought this was a really nice comprehensive guidebook to the world of middle-earth that fleshed out pretty much everything in there. I’m definitely glad I read this, and it was really nice to read something *about* tolkien instead of something he wrote. 7/10
April 1, 2025
thought this was amazing!! the art was perfection obviously, and i learned a lot about the myths that potentially inspired tolkien's stories.
i did think david day was a *bit* too strong in some areas. the descriptions by the art sometimes reminded me of the marvel analysis videos i watch on youtube, where the analyzer will say "this is OBVIOUSLY a reference to blah blah blah in this movie."
a lot of the descriptions included the authors personal opinions on the story, instead of just giving information on the things
i did think david day was a *bit* too strong in some areas. the descriptions by the art sometimes reminded me of the marvel analysis videos i watch on youtube, where the analyzer will say "this is OBVIOUSLY a reference to blah blah blah in this movie."
a lot of the descriptions included the authors personal opinions on the story, instead of just giving information on the things
May 31, 2025
Pros: enjoyable exposition of different subjects of the legendarium, both discussing Tolkien's inspiration and the artists inspiration or explanation of their work depicting said subject.
Cons: the artwork itself by and large isn't what I prefer for Tolkien's world. Alan Lee and John Howe are the embodiment of Tolkien artwork and while the art presented in this book is unique and interesting, it's not exactly what I want.
overall I do like it for it's unique look at the subject of Tolkien inspired artwork.
Cons: the artwork itself by and large isn't what I prefer for Tolkien's world. Alan Lee and John Howe are the embodiment of Tolkien artwork and while the art presented in this book is unique and interesting, it's not exactly what I want.
overall I do like it for it's unique look at the subject of Tolkien inspired artwork.
April 17, 2022
Some beautiful art, though at times the accompanying text was repetitive or trying to add too much unnecessary information based on Day's personal interpretations of influences for aspects of the world being illustrated. I'll keep the book mainly to look through the art. Kip Rasmussen is my favourite but they're all wonderful artists.
January 1, 2022
The text is hit or miss, but most of the illustrations in this hit; I for one loved the work of Miller, Curless, and Postma, but wasn't so hot on some of the other illustrators. This is a matter of taste, sure, but the ones that miss, miss hard.
December 11, 2023
This book is an interesting combination of Tolkien-inspired art by 24 different artists (including a WIDE range of styles), brief descriptions, artist statements about their inspirations/experiences in this genre, and analysis of Tolkien's real world influences. I found that last part interesting as it included actual history, mythology, legends, linguistics, religion, and JRRT's personal experiences. Be warned that some of Day's statements are more or less speculative and shouldn't be taken as 100% factual. The illustrations range from "meh" to excellent. 3 stars.
February 27, 2024
Day is annoying but much of the art is good. The majority of that seems to come from the Tolkien Bestiary, so I bought that instead.
June 16, 2024
I love seeing my favorite story through so many different lenses and styles.
March 21, 2021
If you liked the Tolkien Bestiary, you will enjoy this. Where the bestiary took an in-universe perspective, here the text references real world events and legends that inspired JRRT's classic vision. There's some of the old art from the bestiary, and a lot of new art. The artists tell little stories about the impact of JRRT on their lives. Very nice hardcover edition.
February 24, 2022
He aquí un libro imprescindible para todo amante de la obra de Tolkien y las ilustraciones que le han dado vida a lo largo de los últimos cuarenta años. Un libro que recoge ilustraciones pertenecientes a otros nueve libros entre los que se encuentra "El bestiario de Tolkien", y que nos permite disfrutarlas en una edición de gran formato, gruesas páginas y tapa dura. Sinceramente, toda una joya.
Nos ofrece una gran recopilación de ilustraciones clasificadas en:
-Al principio.
-Pueblos, razas y reinos.
-Bestias y dragones.
-Tierras, mares y cielos.
-Santuarios, castillos y fortalezas.
-Batallas, guerras y guerreros.
David Day es el encargado de elaborar esta obra y es el autor de sus textos. Ha recopilado ilustraciones de 24 artistas que nos dejan detalles sobre sus vidas, proceso creativo, amor por la Tierra Media e incluso su inspiración a la hora de dar vida a las historias de Tolkien que tanto nos gustan.
Acompañando a estas ilustraciones también podemos disfrutar de textos en los que se nos explica sobre los personajes o acontecimientos, relacionándoles con otras historias, leyendas o mitos. Se analiza así el proceso creativo de Tolkien, indagando en sus fuentes de inspiración para crear semejante mundo tan complejo y detallado.
No tengáis miedo si solo conocéis este mundo por las películas. Los textos resultan muy amenos y ofrecen un buen recorrido por los momentos y personajes más importantes. Se descubre información muy interesante que a más de uno puede sorprender, y sobre todo, se disfruta. Resulta fácil transportarse a la Tierra Media contemplando esta variedad de ilustraciones y muy curioso ver las diferentes interpretaciones de los artistas escogidos.
Nos ofrece una gran recopilación de ilustraciones clasificadas en:
-Al principio.
-Pueblos, razas y reinos.
-Bestias y dragones.
-Tierras, mares y cielos.
-Santuarios, castillos y fortalezas.
-Batallas, guerras y guerreros.
David Day es el encargado de elaborar esta obra y es el autor de sus textos. Ha recopilado ilustraciones de 24 artistas que nos dejan detalles sobre sus vidas, proceso creativo, amor por la Tierra Media e incluso su inspiración a la hora de dar vida a las historias de Tolkien que tanto nos gustan.
Acompañando a estas ilustraciones también podemos disfrutar de textos en los que se nos explica sobre los personajes o acontecimientos, relacionándoles con otras historias, leyendas o mitos. Se analiza así el proceso creativo de Tolkien, indagando en sus fuentes de inspiración para crear semejante mundo tan complejo y detallado.
No tengáis miedo si solo conocéis este mundo por las películas. Los textos resultan muy amenos y ofrecen un buen recorrido por los momentos y personajes más importantes. Se descubre información muy interesante que a más de uno puede sorprender, y sobre todo, se disfruta. Resulta fácil transportarse a la Tierra Media contemplando esta variedad de ilustraciones y muy curioso ver las diferentes interpretaciones de los artistas escogidos.
September 17, 2020
Something must be said about the David day Tolkien guides. First I am giving these books four stars simply for the fact that they are incredibly beautiful books. The art in each book is stellar and the 20+ artist do fine work. The smaller books have a faux leather cover that is engraved. The larger book is a nice cloth hard cover. Both are filled with 100s of Tolkien inspired art by some very fine artist. The problem comes in with the writings none of these books have a real purpose they are simply rehashing what Tolkien himself has already explained in a much better way before. I actually found my self not even reading most of the actually writings as it is really dull. these are simple books of Tolkien trivia and facts that most Tolkien fans would already be aware of. The real problem comes in the fact that David day takes personal liberty with some of Tolkien’s content and adds his own ideas or simply states things that are false. There is nothing wrong with this, except for the fact that Day does not say this, he is playing everything in these books off as fact. Because of this you must take his writings with a grain of salt (if you actually read any of them). Even with the bad writing the art in the books is so well done that it makes up for the bad writing. I literally just looked at the art and did not even read the writings by the time I got half way through the books. These artist should be proud of their work it is incredible.
July 15, 2023
I actually really loved the art featured in this, and I think it's great that the book contains pieces from lesser-known Tolkien artists. Obviously David Day's commentary was bad and unnecessary, but I appreciate that the book offered plenty of accounts from the artists themselves. Kip Rasmussen was definitely the standout here, and I'm thrilled that he's one of the artists doing the official 2023 Tolkien calendar!
December 17, 2023
"The Illustrated World of Tolkien" is an extraordinary book that I would wholeheartedly rate with five stars. I have a deep appreciation for J.R.R. Tolkien's work, and I found this book to be a captivating and visually stunning journey through the rich landscapes, characters, and creatures of Tolkien's Middle-earth and beyond.
One of the most striking aspects of this book is the breathtaking array of illustrations. The artwork, contributed by various talented artists, brings Tolkien's world to life in a way that is both awe-inspiring and deeply faithful to the original material. Each page is a visual feast, filled with detailed depictions of iconic scenes, characters, and settings from Tolkien's works, including "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion." The art captures the magic, grandeur, and intricacy of Tolkien's creation, making it a joy to explore for both long-time fans and newcomers to his work.
The layout and design of "The Illustrated World of Tolkien" are impeccable. The book is not just a collection of illustrations; it's a well-constructed journey through the various aspects of Tolkien's universe. The pages are thoughtfully arranged, with artwork complementing the text, which delves into the lore and background of the depicted scenes and characters. This structure allows readers to immerse themselves fully in the experience, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of Tolkien's work.
In addition to the visual elements, the book also excels in its textual content. The accompanying descriptions and essays are informative and engaging, providing fascinating insights into the mythology, languages, history, and themes of Tolkien's work. This information enriches the illustrations, offering context and background that enhance the overall experience.
Furthermore, "The Illustrated World of Tolkien" serves as a testament to the enduring legacy and influence of Tolkien's work. The variety of artistic styles represented in the book reflects the wide-reaching impact of Tolkien's imagination, showcasing how different artists interpret and visualize his rich, complex world.
"The Illustrated World of Tolkien" is an essential addition to the library of any Tolkien enthusiast. It is a book that can be returned to time and again, each visit revealing new details and layers of Tolkien's universe. The combination of stunning artwork, thoughtful layout, and informative text makes this book a remarkable tribute to one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever created. For anyone who loves Middle-earth, this book offers a magical and visually stunning journey that deepens and enriches the experience of Tolkien's world.
One of the most striking aspects of this book is the breathtaking array of illustrations. The artwork, contributed by various talented artists, brings Tolkien's world to life in a way that is both awe-inspiring and deeply faithful to the original material. Each page is a visual feast, filled with detailed depictions of iconic scenes, characters, and settings from Tolkien's works, including "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion." The art captures the magic, grandeur, and intricacy of Tolkien's creation, making it a joy to explore for both long-time fans and newcomers to his work.
The layout and design of "The Illustrated World of Tolkien" are impeccable. The book is not just a collection of illustrations; it's a well-constructed journey through the various aspects of Tolkien's universe. The pages are thoughtfully arranged, with artwork complementing the text, which delves into the lore and background of the depicted scenes and characters. This structure allows readers to immerse themselves fully in the experience, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of Tolkien's work.
In addition to the visual elements, the book also excels in its textual content. The accompanying descriptions and essays are informative and engaging, providing fascinating insights into the mythology, languages, history, and themes of Tolkien's work. This information enriches the illustrations, offering context and background that enhance the overall experience.
Furthermore, "The Illustrated World of Tolkien" serves as a testament to the enduring legacy and influence of Tolkien's work. The variety of artistic styles represented in the book reflects the wide-reaching impact of Tolkien's imagination, showcasing how different artists interpret and visualize his rich, complex world.
"The Illustrated World of Tolkien" is an essential addition to the library of any Tolkien enthusiast. It is a book that can be returned to time and again, each visit revealing new details and layers of Tolkien's universe. The combination of stunning artwork, thoughtful layout, and informative text makes this book a remarkable tribute to one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever created. For anyone who loves Middle-earth, this book offers a magical and visually stunning journey that deepens and enriches the experience of Tolkien's world.
May 12, 2022
Cuando la obra de Tolkien salió a la luz, una de las críticas (mal intencionada), decía que la Tierra Media alentaba el escapismo. Tal vez hubiera algo de cierto en ello, pero por los motivos incorrectos, pues ¿quién no gustaría evadirse por los bosques y montañas de semejante mundo? ¿Los ríos, lagos, ciudades y fortalezas con tamaño trasfondo? Después de lo exhausta que es en parte nuestra existencia en este mundo concreto, donde el ser se define por el hacer y el tener, y del fluir incesante del día a día, una caminata por Arda no estaría nada de mal.
Me quedé prendido con la portada de este libro. Lo compré hace un par de semanas atrás, pero no sabía cuándo podría leerlo. Después de un par de días agobiantes, me dije: “este miércoles tengo libre, me lo leeré de una vez”. Y así hice. Fue la mejor elección, pues el libro es precioso.
El Mundo Ilustrado de Tolkien contiene cientos de imágenes de la Tierra Media. Sus orígenes míticos, los pueblos, personajes, reinos, parajes, batallas, bestias y dragones, fortalezas y ciudades, hasta flora y fauna. Veinticuatro ilustradoras e ilustradores nos presentan su visión de la Tierra Media. Y el resultado es estimulante para la imaginación y para la vista.
Además de las imponentes ilustraciones, el libro trae muchos datos curiosos sobre Tolkien, su obra, los nombres, e inspiraciones legendarias y mitológicas de las que bebió. Pero tal vez lo que más me gustó fue poder leer a los mismos artistas expresar sus pensamientos al plasmar la Tierra Media con sus dibujos y pinturas.
Tengo pocos libros ilustrados, así que esta fue toda una relevación de cómo sería leer ediciones de este tipo. Pues lo que uno no alcanza a imaginar como mero lector, lo puede ver a través del ojo del artista, decodificando visualmente lo escrito por el autor.
En fin, un libro que recomiendo totalmente si eres fan de la Tierra Media, o si te gustan los libros ilustrados.
Me quedé prendido con la portada de este libro. Lo compré hace un par de semanas atrás, pero no sabía cuándo podría leerlo. Después de un par de días agobiantes, me dije: “este miércoles tengo libre, me lo leeré de una vez”. Y así hice. Fue la mejor elección, pues el libro es precioso.
El Mundo Ilustrado de Tolkien contiene cientos de imágenes de la Tierra Media. Sus orígenes míticos, los pueblos, personajes, reinos, parajes, batallas, bestias y dragones, fortalezas y ciudades, hasta flora y fauna. Veinticuatro ilustradoras e ilustradores nos presentan su visión de la Tierra Media. Y el resultado es estimulante para la imaginación y para la vista.
Además de las imponentes ilustraciones, el libro trae muchos datos curiosos sobre Tolkien, su obra, los nombres, e inspiraciones legendarias y mitológicas de las que bebió. Pero tal vez lo que más me gustó fue poder leer a los mismos artistas expresar sus pensamientos al plasmar la Tierra Media con sus dibujos y pinturas.
Tengo pocos libros ilustrados, así que esta fue toda una relevación de cómo sería leer ediciones de este tipo. Pues lo que uno no alcanza a imaginar como mero lector, lo puede ver a través del ojo del artista, decodificando visualmente lo escrito por el autor.
En fin, un libro que recomiendo totalmente si eres fan de la Tierra Media, o si te gustan los libros ilustrados.
April 16, 2020
What a fun gift this was! I was so excited to check this out, but I wanted to save it for when I had some downtime to be able to fully enjoy this.
This is a collection of art that has been inspired by Tolkien's work with their interpretations of the magical world and characters. There is a lot of information about the world, characters, and so forth. The author not only takes about the art, but also examples some inspiration Tolkien had with names and history.
This was super informative and the art was beautiful. It was a quick read, but I took my sweet time enjoying the photos. It was a wonderfully easy read. I feel so smart now! I MUST re-read the books someday. Tolkien was a genius for sure. How on Earth did he find all this information without the aid of Google?? LOL. He was a master.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and if you love this world Tolkien created, I think you would like it too. 5 stars.
This is a collection of art that has been inspired by Tolkien's work with their interpretations of the magical world and characters. There is a lot of information about the world, characters, and so forth. The author not only takes about the art, but also examples some inspiration Tolkien had with names and history.
This was super informative and the art was beautiful. It was a quick read, but I took my sweet time enjoying the photos. It was a wonderfully easy read. I feel so smart now! I MUST re-read the books someday. Tolkien was a genius for sure. How on Earth did he find all this information without the aid of Google?? LOL. He was a master.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and if you love this world Tolkien created, I think you would like it too. 5 stars.
July 2, 2025
Language: English
Difficulty (vocabulary): B2
Difficulty (story): A1
The text jumps from a description of the plot to an etymological explanation to an illustrator's introduction to his commentary on Tolkien's work. It also jumps from book to book, and it takes a while to figure out where you are. There are a lot of illustrations by a lot of artists, some of them didn't really suit me, but I guess everyone will find their own. 2,5/5
Difficulty (vocabulary): B2
Difficulty (story): A1
The text jumps from a description of the plot to an etymological explanation to an illustrator's introduction to his commentary on Tolkien's work. It also jumps from book to book, and it takes a while to figure out where you are. There are a lot of illustrations by a lot of artists, some of them didn't really suit me, but I guess everyone will find their own. 2,5/5
In Tolkien's Valarian god Aulë the Smith, the Maker of Mountains, we have the counterpart of the Greek god Hephaestus (the Roman Vulcan). Both are capable of forging untold wonders from the metals and elements of the Earth. Both are smiths, armourers and jewellers. Like Hephaestus, Aulë is depicted as a true craftsman and artisan, someone who creates for the joy of making, not for the sake of possession or gainging power and dominion over others.
October 16, 2023
It's a collection of paintings by several artists, commissioned for various printings of Tolkien's works alongside commentary by the artists themselves and some history of the beasts, landscapes, fortresses, characters by David Day, a Tolkien scholar. I can't speak with any confidence about the art aside from my uneducated appreciation for it, but I did especially enjoy reading the comments the artist Kip Rasmussen. He quotes from Tolkien with noticeable delight and everything he writes reveals a man who is having a great time. All of this second hand Tolkien is really making me want to reread The Lord of the Rings or read the Silmarillion for the first time. Phrases like "many-eyed hunters of Morgoth" stir my primal instincts and my genetic memories of the Wood as an enchanted and dangerous realm, and mountains the home of the gods.
October 12, 2022
Although I’ve already seen many of these illustrations, it’s nice to see them given prominence in this neatly presented hardback from David Day, and to read comments from the artists who created them. In this sizeable format, and with many double-page spreads, the art is displayed at a size that suits their scope and detail – something that wasn’t present in the small format of the compact flexi-bound reference series.
I enjoy both old and new interpretations, and art techniques, that help me to explore Middle-earth, so this book easily provided plenty of interest. A few lazy text and layout errors spoil the quality of the final product, yet this is still a fine volume of great illustrations produced over many decades, each presenting a personal depiction of Tolkien’s inspiring world.
I enjoy both old and new interpretations, and art techniques, that help me to explore Middle-earth, so this book easily provided plenty of interest. A few lazy text and layout errors spoil the quality of the final product, yet this is still a fine volume of great illustrations produced over many decades, each presenting a personal depiction of Tolkien’s inspiring world.
October 18, 2020
This book is indispensible for a Tolkien fan. There are beautiful, full color illustrations of scenes from The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Lord of the Rings. There are depictions of the same event by different artists that the book compares to each other to talk about the decisions illustrators make to get the words across. There is also a lot of really great information about where Tolkien got his inspiration for various names, locations, and scenes. This is a great coffee table book and conversation starter.
November 19, 2021
I was mainly considering this book as an album of illustrations for Tolkien books. In that kind it's pretty decent but there are some flaws anyway. Not all the artists are that good, not all of them are even counting as a professionals I believe. David Day as usual dealing very freely with the facts and his interpretations though his articles is basically ok as a description of events and characters for illustrations. Ah, and the text is really small I wish it was a couple of units larger.
February 13, 2022
Artbook muy variado y atractivo, reune algunos de los mejores ilustradores de Tolkien fuera de Nasmith, Alan Lee y John Howe (los mejores). A destacar las ilustraciones de Ian Miller, Kip Rasmussen y John Blanche, unos genios en el género fantástico.
¿Lo malo? El gran protagonismo que le dan en el libro al más reciente Mauro Mazzara, un dibujante simplemente solvente pero con un uso del color digital de segundo nivel, y en general a años luz de los grandes ilustradores que han ilustrado las obras de Tolkien.
¿Lo malo? El gran protagonismo que le dan en el libro al más reciente Mauro Mazzara, un dibujante simplemente solvente pero con un uso del color digital de segundo nivel, y en general a años luz de los grandes ilustradores que han ilustrado las obras de Tolkien.
September 13, 2022
I loved reading and viewing this most beautiful book, full of a collection of artists inspired by Tolkien’s Middle World stories.
My only negative point about the book, is the dark – Black cover. I am sure something else could have been chosen, that could have represented Tolkien’s themes, a little better. Yet, there is so many talented people out there, and I was so gland to see there hard work, placed in this book, that took me back into Middle Earth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews