The Magical World Of The Lord Of The Rings

Why are Tolkien's Elves tall? Which monster attacked Tolkien in real life? What legend inspired the creation of Gollum? In his masterpiece The Lord of the RingsJ. R. R. Tolkien drew upon a lifetime of knowledge to create the fantastical world of Middle-earth, a place that has captured the imagination of millions of readers. The Magical Worlds of The Lord of the Ringstells the stories behind Tolkien's stories. From dwarves and elves to King Arthur and Beowulf, the book explores the ancient myths and legends that inspired Tolkien, as well as the ideas and events that sparked his incredible imagination.

Offers information about Tolkien's realm of Middle-Earth and its inhabitants, including details on characters, mythology, origins, and cultures.

Actor Andy Serkis relates how he and the team of animators brought Tolkien's character Gollum to life. Film-making history was made when, in The Two Towers, an actor's performance and digital animation were seamlessly integrated to create the world's first totally lifelike animated character.

'The Fellowship of the Ring' is the first part of JRR Tolkien's epic masterpiece 'The Lord of the Rings'. This 50th anniversary edition features special packaging and includes the definitive edition of the text.|PB

What nightmare was the key to Tolkien's mythology?Can Gandalf really die?What does Tolkien like best about Frodo?Which monster from The Lord of the Rings attacked Tolkien in real life?Why are Tolkien's elves tall?J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have enthralled readers for more than half a century. The realm of Middle-Earth is one of the most fully realized worlds in literature, yet the remarkable mythology upon which Tolkien founded it is still a mystery to most readers.The Magical Worlds of The Lord of the Rings reveals the ancient folklore and legends that inspired Tolkien's masterpiece. From the Finnish saga Kalevala and the events in Beowulf to Arthurian mythology, Shakespeare and even World War II, this indispensable guide provides insights not only into literature's most beloved fantasy but also into the man who brought it to life.

For the first time ever, a portfolio of illustrated work from the award-winning artist, John Howe, which reveals the breathtaking vision of one of the foremost fantasy artists in the world. Myth and Magic is arranged into six sections, which looks at the books by J.R.R. Tolkien that have inspired John, as well as a fascinating tour through the paintings that he has produced for some of the finest fantasy authors working today. From the beloved painting of Smaug which decorates The Hobbit, his numerous and bestselling calendar illustrations, the world famous "Gandalf" picture, which is synonymous with the HarperCollins one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings, this large-format hardback will delight fans of Tolkien, and anyone who has been captured by the imagination of the artist who so brilliantly brings to life the literary vision of J.R.R. Tolkien.

The indispensable source guide to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels—the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans! What was the model for The Order of the Phoenix? Where do those names come from? What is the real-life legend behind Voldemort’s Dark Mark? Could Snape’s potions actually work? J.K. Rowling’s young heroic wizard, Harry Potter, lives in a world populated by dragons, centaurs, trolls, giants—and a three-headed dog named Fluffy—among other creatures from ancient myths and legends. Discover the astonishing origins of supernatural beasts, clues to hidden meanings in names, and amazing facts about real-life wizards and magic spells. From Alchemists to Unicorns, Basilisks to Veela, this fascinating compendium brings another dimension to Harry’s adventures—from The Sorcerer’s Stone to The Deathly Hallows. This book was not authorized, prepared, approved, licensed or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any other individual or entity associated with the HARRY POTTER books or movie.

In The Real Middle-Earth, explore the magically enchanting early-English civilization on which Tolkien based his world of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien readily admitted that the concept of Middle-earth was not his own invention. An Old English term for the Dark Age world, it was always assumed that the importance of magic in this world existed only in Tolkien’s works; now Professor Brian Bates reveals the vivid truth about this historical culture. Behind the stories we know of Dark Age kings and queens, warriors and battles, lies the hidden history of Middle-earth, a world of magic, mystery and destiny. Fiery dragons were seen to fly across the sky, monsters haunted the marshes, and elves fired poisoned arrows. Wizards cast healing spells, wise trees gave blessings, and omens foretold the deaths of kings. The very landscape itself was enchanted and the world imbued with a life force. Repressed by a millennium of Christianity, this belief system all but disappeared, leaving only faint traces in folk memory and fairy tales. In this remarkable book Professor Brian Bates has drawn on the latest archaeological findings to reconstruct the imaginative world of our past, revealing a culture with insights that may yet help us understand our own place in the world.