Book

[SirKicley]

We are in the process of buying new home and thus I have been packing. Today I was boxing up my (large) collection of books. One book I found in the back behind others was one I was given as a gift when I was 12 by my aunt (how initially exposed me to Tolkien and Roleplaying Games) was large hardbound Tolkien book.

It is called "A Tolkien Bestiary" by David Day (Ballatine Books). 1979 printing.

I remember first getting this book - haven't looked in it in over 20 years! And honestly never really read it much. At that time it wasn't nearly as entertaining to me as I didn't have the love I have for Middle-earth that I do now. While I love Lord of the Rings, i wasn't a huge love all of all Middle-earth. Now with the knowledge and admiration I have as an older adult with a respect for the vast flavor and knowledge of the world, just skimming through it, I had a huge thrill of excitement to read it. I'm looking forward to laying down this evening for my evening reading to absorb it, now that so much more of it makes sense.

The book is fantastic! Awesome art on nearly every page, it goes into details all the places/people (individuals and groups), and critters throughout the world. I am truly blown away. I had forgotten I had it; I knew I once had it, but just assumed it was lost somewhere in my mom's house of stuff that is boxed in the garage or sold or given away over the years. What a wonderful find and treasure!

Robert

[Glorelendil]

Thank you! I just found a used copy on Abe Books (abebooks.com) for US$10 and ordered it.

[Tolwen]

[...]
It is called "A Tolkien Bestiary" by David Day (Ballatine Books). 1979 printing.
[...]
The book is fantastic! Awesome art on nearly every page, it goes into details all the places/people (individuals and groups), and critters throughout the world.

For all its artistic beauty, you have to be careful as Day was not always a very careful author - or he never updated the pre-UT and -HoMe edition (and would be thus outdated). In any case, I remember some really serious glitches in it. I'd have to dig it up from the cellar for a precise location, but from memory I'd say to be careful with his statements if no verfiable source is provided.

Cheers
Tolwen

[Jez]

Glitches smitches... to a starry eyed nine-year-old Hobbit junkie who traveled half way round the world and got it from his one-armed great uncle who was a student of Tolkien's it was THE BEST THING EVAAAAAAR.

The map is cak though.

[Rubycon]

I own this book for myself for nearly 20 years now. It's amazing! I found it in a bookstore where the owner didn't seem to know what he had there so I paid nearly to nothing...

[Jon Hodgson]

Aye, this is a book my dad ordered from a book club in the 70s/early 80s, and which I absolutely pored over. It is a big reason I do what I do now.

If I recall correctly, Ian Miller had a hand in art direction, and gave a big break to a certain John Blanche.

[SirKicley]

[...]
It is called "A Tolkien Bestiary" by David Day (Ballatine Books). 1979 printing.
[...]
The book is fantastic! Awesome art on nearly every page, it goes into details all the places/people (individuals and groups), and critters throughout the world.

For all its artistic beauty, you have to be careful as Day was not always a very careful author - or he never updated the pre-UT and -HoMe edition (and would be thus outdated). In any case, I remember some really serious glitches in it. I'd have to dig it up from the cellar for a precise location, but from memory I'd say to be careful with his statements if no verfiable source is provided.

Cheers
Tolwen

uh...glitches?.......no verifiable source.....of a made-up, make-believe, not real place? Gotcha. No, just kidding I get ya. For a moment though I felt the same kind of confusing disappointment when my daughter showed me in her science book that Pluto isn't a planet, and told me that a brontosaurus is not a brontosaurus anymore. Talk about a real WTF moment! I hadn't felt that kind of disappointment since Milly Vanilli let the cat out of the bag!

In the end, it's all just fiction. I'm reading it for the entertainment, man. I'm not trying to convert heathens.

Robert

[Jez]

If I recall correctly, Ian Miller had a hand in art direction, and gave a big break to a certain John Blanche.

I never realised it was John Blanche! Had to look, and yeah they were my favourite pics, all the itybityness...

Battle of the Five Armies
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFL_TMmIrC8/U ... he-231.jpg

Fall of Numenor
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lvv2fTlve20/U ... he-241.jpg

Siege of Gondolin (not the best reproduction but always one of my favourites)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJQ8nptuhU0/T ... IM0979.JPG

Though Ian Miller's dwarves are the best.

[Rich H]

It is called "A Tolkien Bestiary" by David Day (Ballatine Books). 1979 printing.

I have the 2010 softback edition of this book and think it's a great read along with the evocative illustrations.

If other are interested, I also have the following which I'd recommend to people (in no particular order):

A Guide to Tolkien, also by David Day

The Complete Guide to Middle Earth by Robert Foster

The Atlas of Middle Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad

Journeys of Frodo by Barbara Strachey

The Origins of Tolkien's Middle Earth for Dummies by Greg Harvey

... People my sneer at this last one as it presents information in the same way as other "Dummies..." books but I've found it to be a pretty good resource when I've used it.

[farinal]

I have that David Day book. My grandma bought it for me as a present years, years ago