Description: The reference book hailed by many as the ultimate guide to Middle Earth returns with all-new updates. For all those who journey to Middle Earth, here is the complete guide to its lands, legends, histories, languages, and people.
Brief description: J. E. A. Tyler is an author and journalist specializing in music, historical biography, archeology, and anthropology. His books include The Beatles: An Illustrated Record (1974) and I Hate Rock and Roll (1983). He lives in Sussex, England.
Review Quotes:
"The Complete Tolkien Companion by J.E.A. Tyler offers a 712-page A-to-Z guide to Middle-earth minutiae. First published in 1976, it has, no doubt, been saddening countless parents ever since who wish their teenagers pored over their SAT study guides with the same demented fervor." --USA Today
"If you're a fan of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, this is a great reference book, as it has entries that will probably jog the memories of even the most ardent adherent....This one has it all." --The Kansas City Star "A treasure of arcane information that will be helpful to the casual reader...as well as to the newly minted Niddle Earth fanatic who wants to learn everything as soon as possible." --South Florida Sun-Sentinel "The Complete Tolkien Companion is an excellent, proper accounting of the diversity of life in Middle-earth. I found the no-nonsense compilation (with minimal illustrations) refreshingly useful, as it concentrates on being more of a research book for invested Tolkien lovers rather than being a fancifully-illustrated coffee table version." --Forbes.com "Essential for a new generation of readers to fully enjoy Tolkien's version in a new century...an invaluable aid to a better understanding of Middle Earth and deserves a place on theshelf right next to The Hobbit." --Baryon Magazine "A resource that will bring further enjoyment to those already familiar with [The Lord of the Rings] and its associated works...A wonderful achievement for Tyler, and will make a welcom addition to the library of anyone who has come to consider Frodo and the lot as de facto members of the family." --Scifidimensions.com "A detailed and sweeping compendium, this book is a valuable reference to have handy when reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading Tolkien's work." --SFRevu