The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien - The Places that Inspired Middle-earth
By John Garth

“Every page brings forth the elegiac tone of JRR Tolkien's work... It is a beautiful book, including many wonderful pictures by Tolkien himself… Garth's book made me realise the impact that Tolkien has had on my life. The TimesA lavishly illustrated exploration of the places that inspired and shaped the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of Middle-earth.and This new book fromand renowned expert John Garthand takes us to the places that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to create his fictional locations inand The Lord of the Rings,and The Hobbitand and other classic works. Featuring more than 100 images, it includesand Tolkien's own illustrations, contributions from other artists,and archive images, mapsand andand spectacular present-day photographs.Inspirational locations rangeand across Great Britainand - particularly Tolkien's beloved West Midlands and Oxford - but alsoand overseas to all points of the compass. Sources are located for Hobbiton, the elven valley of Rivendell, the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep, and many other key spots in Middle-earth, as well as for its mountain scenery, forests, rivers, lakes and shorelands.A rich interplay is revealed between Tolkien's personal travels, his wide reading and his deep scholarship as an Oxford professor. Garth uses his own profound knowledge of Tolkien's life and work to uncover the extraordinary processes of invention, toand debunk popular misconceptionsand about the inspirations for Middle-earth, and toand put forward strong new claims of his own.Organised by theme,and The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkienand is an illustrated journey into the life and imagination of one of the world's best-loved authors, an exploration of the relationship between worlds real and fantastical, and an inspiration for anyone who wants toand follow in Tolkien's footsteps.