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ElanorTX
Tol Eressea
Apr 12 2022, 1:03pm
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advice re key books about JRRT
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As some of you know, a broken water pipe ruined my house, including books left on the floor by the bookcases and computer. I believe that all my books *by* JRRT and Christopher were saved, as well as C.S. Lewis, but I would like to order replacement books and other media *about* JRRT in the next couple of days.
What are your go-to books for reference, history, pleasure, illumination, etc.? Please don’t be shy about naming any that you had a hand in. If you don't have time to respond right now, feel free to post whenever you can.
Gratefully,
ElanorTX
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
(This post was edited by ElanorTX on Apr 12 2022, 1:04pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Apr 12 2022, 3:08pm
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The primary books about Tolkien and Middle-earth that I keep on hand for reference include:
- The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad
- The Complete Guide to Middle-earth by Robert Foster
- The Letters of J.R.R Tolkien by Humphrey Carpenter
- The Complete Tolkien Companion by J.E.A. Tyler
- The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth by Ruth S. Noel
#FidelityToTolkien
#ChallengeExpectations
Year of the Tiger
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squire
Half-elven
Apr 12 2022, 6:35pm
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I'm sorry to hear about the disaster! I live in dread of such things, and I'm glad you didn't lose everything.
For books about Tolkien, these come to mind:
Lord of the Rings Companion, by Hammond & Scull
JRR Tolkien, Artist & Illustrator, ibid.
JRR Tolkien Companion, by Scull & Hammond
JRR Tolkien Encyclopedia, ed. by Drout
Tolkien (biography) by Carpenter
Tolkien (biography) by Edwards
Atlas of Middle-earth by Fonstad
Letters of JRR Tolkien, ed. Carpenter
Master of Middle-earth, by Kocher
Road to Middle-earth, by Shippey
Author of the Century, ibid.
Splintered Light, by Flieger
Interrupted Music, ibid.
A Question of Time, ibid.
The Worlds of JRR Tolkien, by Garth
Tolkien, A Cultural Phenomenon, by Rosebury
Arda Reconstructed, by Kane
Tolkien, Race, and Cultural History, by Fimi
And frankly it could go on; in the list above are the ones I'm fondest of. Best of luck in rebuilding the collection!
squire online:
RR Discussions: The Valaquenta, A Shortcut to Mushrooms, and Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
Lights! Action! Discuss on the Movie board!: 'A Journey in the Dark'. and 'Designing The Two Towers'.
Archive: All the TORn Reading Room Book Discussions (including the 1st BotR Discussion!) and Footerama: "Tolkien would have LOVED it!"
Dr. Squire introduces the J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: A Reader's Diary
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Felagund
Rohan
Apr 12 2022, 8:37pm
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here's a few more and best of luck!
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You've had way more impressive bibliography advice than I could give - and I'll be using the recommendations of Otaku-sempai and squire myself!
Being a map monster, as well as Karen Wynn Fonstad's truly awesome The Atlas of Middle-earth, I have to add Barbara Strachey's Journeys of Frodo.
In addition to the previous recs:
For the Ian Miller illustrations alone, A Tolkien Bestiary by David Day.
For the fond memories of the exhibition at the Bodleian and because it's a great compendium, Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth, by Catherine Mcilwaine.
As it was a very thoughtful gift at the time, as well as a thought-provoking read, Defending Middle-earth, Tolkien: Myth & Modernity, by Patrick Curry.
Before Robert Foster's brilliant The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, there was for me JEA Taylor's The Tolkien Companion. Not at all better but just because I stumbled over it first, it was my first experience of (and beginning of my obsession with) Middle-earth compendia.
Not 'about' Tolkien but I'll throw in getting your hands on a copy, if not already done so/replaced, The Road Goes Ever On by Tolkien and Donald Swann.
And best of luck from me too! And keep us posted, when you have the time!
Welcome to the Mordorfone network, where we put the 'hai' back into Uruk
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor
Apr 13 2022, 2:12pm
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My list would be almost identical to yours!
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You are right that there are many great books about Tolkien, but you've definitely hit the highlights. The one book that I think is essential that I would add is Garth's Tolkien and the Great War). I am flattered and humbled that you included Arda Reconstructed in your list! 
I too am sorry to hear about the disaster (but glad that the essential books by Tolkien himself were spared). We are dealing with a major plumbing issue ourselves right now that is going to require ripping out walls to replace pipes, so I am particularly sympathetic.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
The Hall of Fire
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