The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien:
The Places that Inspired Middle-earth
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‘Magnificent. The commentary is great, really thoroughly researched; the pictures are stunning’ — Tom Shippey, author of The Road to Middle-earth.
Packed with insights and gorgeous images, including many artworks by Tolkien.
◼︎ Read an excerpt at LitHub.
◼︎ What readers and critics say…
◼︎ Unboxing video by John Garth with chapter-by-chapter comments.
◼︎ John Garth talks about The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien with the Prancing Pony Podcast, the Marion E. Wade Center for the study of Tolkien and others, AbeBooks’ Behind the Bookshelves podcast, and the German Tolkien Society (in English apart from the brief introduction).
◼︎ Editions (with bookstore links) in English (UK and US), French, Russian, Czech, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Hungarian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Croatian, Serbian and Slovakian.
◼︎ ‘A fascinating, gorgeously illustrated and thought-provoking examination of the landscapes, cities and architecture that inspired Tolkien during his lifelong creation of Middle-earth. Garth, a journalist as well as a Tolkien scholar, proves an exceptional guide to Middle-earth … Masterful book.’ — Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post.
◼︎ ‘Ostensibly it’s about the landscapes that inspired Middle-Earth; but it’s also, unavoidably, a history of the man and his ideas. For me this book was irresistible … It is a beautiful book, physically speaking – bound in rich textured hardback and filled with beautiful illustrations, including many wonderful pictures by Tolkien himself … Garth’s book made me realise the impact that Tolkien has had on my life.’ — Tom Chivers, The Times.
◼︎ ‘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
◼︎ ‘John Garth is the leading Tolkien critic of the present generation as T.A. Shippey is in his. Garth … fills this new book with beautiful, opulent maps and photographs that animate the lush atmosphere of Tolkien's real and conjured worlds and yield great visual pleasure. At the same time Garth provides deep access to Tolkien’s craft.’ — Nicholas Birns, American Library Association’s Choice magazine.
◼︎ ‘Not only a wonderfully rich and learned book, but beautiful as well. I’m sure Tolkien would have loved it.’ — Historian Tom Holland, author of Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind.
◼︎ ‘A guide to the inside of Tolkien’s mind, in its geographic, landscape, and geological facets … There is no guesswork or blithe assumption in this book… This is a well-researched work of synthesis, reinforced by Garth’s sharp and clear understanding of how Tolkien’s mind worked… One of the most valuable books out there for understanding Tolkien.’ — Tolkien Studies editor David Bratman.
◼︎ ‘If you love Tolkien’s work and want to know more about where it came from, this book is for you. And if you know anyone else who is, and does, their next birthday or Christmas present is sorted.’ — Mortal Engines author Philip Reeve.
◼︎ ‘It's magisterial and beautiful, and the book I've been waiting for since I was 9. Thank you.’ — Sunday Times reviewer James McConnachie.
◼︎ ‘From tree-woven lands to waterworlds, if you like Tolkien, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings then you need this book on your shelves. A beautiful tome, crammed with fantastic images & research beyond excellence … Landscape history meets literature.’ — Mary-Ann Ochota, broadcaster and authoer of Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past
◼︎ ‘Masterful study … Each page illuminates with insights and dazzles with details.’ — Mike Foster, Mythlore.
◼︎ ‘This wonderful book is a collectable must … a scholarly work of art.’ — Weekend Sport.
◼︎ ‘Really is a fine achievement, wonderfully well supported by the gallery of illustrations and notes … There's scarcely a page margin that I haven't pencil marked, and I'll certainly be revisiting the book. I've ended by learning a great deal and thoroughly enjoying myself.’ — Norse Myths author Kevin Crossley-Holland.
◼︎ ‘John Garth has written excellently on Tolkien’s formative wartime experiences in Tolkien and the Great War. The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien now brings near-nerdish knowledge to bear on other parts of Tolkien’s thought-universe, investigating other influences that molded Middle-earth … Erudite and exhaustive exploration of Tolkien’s compelling creation’ — Derek Turner, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture.
First published in 2020
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UK The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien The Places that Inspired Middle-earth Frances Lincoln 9 June 2020 ◼︎ Buy at Amazon, Blackwells, Hive |
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US The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien The Places that Inspired Middle-earth Princeton University Press 9 June 2020 ◼︎ Buy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble |
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France |
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Russia |
First published in 2021
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Spain |
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Germany |
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Czech Republic Světy J.R.R. Tolkiena Místa, Která Inspirovala Středozem Translated by Vít Penkala Argo 5 February 2021 ◼︎ Buy at Kosmas, Martinus |
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Italy I Mondi di J.R.R. Tolkien I luoghi che hanno inspirato la Terra di Mezzo Translated by Stefanno Giorgianni Mondadori 16 February 2021 ◼︎ Buy at IBS, Amazon, Libraccio |
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Finland |
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Hungary |
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Japan |
First published in 2022
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Poland |
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Croatia Svjetovi J.R.R. Tolkiena Mjesta koja su nadahnula Međuzemlje Translated by Marko Maras Lumen 11 March 2022 ◼︎ Buy at Školska Knjiga |
| Serbia Svetovi Dž.R.R. Tolkina Mesta Koja Su Bila Nadahnuće Za Srednju Zemlju Data Status September 2022 |
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Slovakia |
Published in 2023
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China |
The Worlds of
J.R.R. Tolkien
UK hardback
US hardback
To buy in French, Russian, Czech, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Hungarian, German, or another language
see links here
Buy
Tolkien and
the Great War
UK paperback/ebook
US paperback/ebook
Audiobook read by
John Garth
Amazon UK, Audible UK,
Audible US
To buy in Italian, German, French, Spanish or Polish,
see links here
Buy
Tolkien at
Exeter College
