The World of Tolkien: Mythological Sources of The Lord of the Rings

by David Day

The World of Tolkien reveals the vast array of mythological, historical, literary, linguistic, and creative sources that the writer drew upon to create his absorbing, ever popular world.  This is a comprehensive guide to uncovering the "real world" inspiration behind the gods and Demi gods, races of men, elves and dwarves, wizards and hobbits, creatures and monsters, cities, geography, battles, and major events in the history of Middle-earth.  Stunningly illustrated with 100 color and black and white illustrations, this is essential reading for Tolkien enthusiasts of all generations.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction, Reference, Science Fiction Fantasy

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

David Day (b. 14 October 1947 in Victoria, British Columbia) is a Canadian author of over forty books: poetry, natural history, ecology, mythology, fantasy, and children's literature. Internationally he is most notably known for his literary criticism on J. R. R. Tolkien and his works.

After finishing high school in Victoria, British Columbia, Day worked as a logger for five years on Vancouver Island before graduating from the University of Victoria. Subsequently he has travelled widely, most frequently to Greece and Britain.

Day has published six books of poems for adults and ten illustrated children's books of fiction and poetry. His non-fiction books on natural history include The Doomsday Book of Animals, The Whale War, Eco Wars: a Layman Guide to the Environmental Movement, Noah's Choice and most recently Nevermore: A Book of Hours - Meditations on Extinction (2012).

His Doomsday Book was a Time Magazine Book of the Year and became the basis for the 100 part animated-short TV series "Lost Animals of the 20th Century".

David Days best-selling books on the life and works of JRR Tolkien include: A Tolkien Bestiary, Tolkien: the Illustrated Encyclopedia, Tolkien's Ring, The World of Tolkien and The Hobbit Companion.

Day's Tolkien's Ring was illustrated by academy award-winning artist Alan Lee, as was Castles, The Animals Within, Gothic and Quest For King Arthur.

Reviews

[Elfscribe · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book David Day explores myths and historical background that may have influenced places, peoples, characters, and the stories in the Lord of the Rings. There was a lot of interesting information organized like an encyclopedia under topics like "Snow White and the Mirror of Galadriel" or "Troll Tribes." I also enjoyed being reminded of the wide range of myths and stories that seem to have contributed elements to the story. (Just as in any myth or fairy tales that borrow from the array of tales out there and recombine them.)

I know this was supposed to be a book for the general reader, however, I found the lack of documentation for where Day got his information frustrating, especially since there were claims that seemed strange. For example claiming that the hobbits were "soulless creatures" or making a jump from myth to something in LOTR or the Silm that didn't seem accurate. For example Day claims that the 7 circles in the city of Minas Tirith were derived from the myth of Atlantis because there were seven islands around the larger island of Atlantis(hadn't heard that, but okay), Numenor was Tolkien's Atlantis (yes)and since the inhabitants of Gondor were descendents of the Numenoreans, ergo Altantis = Minas Tirith. Huh? There's a key thing missing, Numenor didn't have seven islands around it or a city with seven circles.

In addition, the editing was very bad with numerous typos and misspellings. I had the sense of something rushed into print.

In sum, there was a lot to think about in the book and perhaps a good introduction to a lot of the background mythology, but I wanted a book with a more documented, scholarly approach, and less of one making connections that might or might not be substantiated.

[Beau Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically an updated version of A Tolkien Bestiary. I was given this book as a present by a friend, because she knew I was a fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

For all intents and purposes, they are the same book (a great reference guide to all the creatures Tolkien writes about in his stories, and the different folklore that inspired him). But I much prefer the artwork in this book.

[Jacob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dislikes: Pretty much everything. There's nothing in here you couldn't find elsewhere, and the "new" information is largely unsourced claims about Tolkien's influences. C'mon. If you're going to tell me he was influenced by the Norse legends, I'll buy it, but I already knew that. If you're going to tell me he was influenced by the Tibetans and Native Americans, I'm going to need some backup on that. There's better artwork elsewhere, too.

[Florin Pitea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written, well organised, beautifully illustrated. A collector's item.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tolkien fan’s must-have, indispensable guide to Middle-Earth and the Lord of the Rings

This comprehensive, exquisitely detailed book contains mythological sources connected to JRR Tolkien’s epic creation “the Lord of the Rings”. Covering the history of Middle-Earth’s creation spanning over many ages, literary inspiration and sources, linguistic references and other fascinating facts this is a classic compendium. Included are all the main creatures, peoples, places and events in Middle-Earth that are not only present within the Lord of the Rings but many of Tolkien’s other works; i.e. The Silmarillion and the Hobbit. I love how David Day relates the magical Lord of the Rings to many myths and Legends from around the world, including the Arthurian Legends which fascinated and intrigued Tolkien.

This wonderful hardback volume, with vibrant cover is an essential edition to any reader of Tolkien and for those wanting to delve deeper into his world, by enhancing and adding to your current knowledge on his creation & life’s work. I was taken on a compelling journey through the history of Middle-Earth which revealed the vast array of mythological and creative sources that Tolkien drew from to create his absorbing, richly detailed world. Complete with links to classic fairy-tales and legends of old, the text within this book is comfortingly familiar and relevant.

Tolkien’s work may be considered fantasy, yet he created a world which wasn’t imaginary but an imaginary history of our OWN world! He slotted into our historical timeline of Earth’s history that of Arda and how it developed from the first age to the second, third and forth. This book gives you an exclusive peak into the “real-world” inspiration behind the Gods and demi-Gods, races of men, Elves, Dwarves, Istari (Wizards) and Hobbits and the great battles between good and evil that took place over the ages…including that of Numenor and of Saruon. Containing over 100 simply stunning full-color illustrations ‘the world of Tolkien’ is essential reading for all enthusiasts of all generations and a great tribute to this incredible writer.

I highly recommend this shining jewel of a book to add to your collection of works by JRR Tolkien and the history of Middle-Earth.

[Codepoetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know much about the mythology of early civilizations such as Greek, Egypt, China, and India. In contrast, most of the early mythology of the Anglo-Saxon people has been lost to history. When approaching *The Lord of the Rings*, Tolkien wasn't trying to write a good story -- he was trying to re-assemble the lost mythology of the early Anglo-Saxon people. Working at Oxford university, he slowly gathered bits and pieces of old English fairy tales, poems, and folklore. He combined all of this with the mythology of other cultures (especially Irish, Welsh, Germanic, and Norse legends), and finally filled-in the blanks with his own imaginings. This highly accessible scholarly work by David Day traces the origins of Tolkien's inspired mythology. This is an interesting read, and Day demonstrates his expansive knowledge about world mythology; however, I'm not convinced that all of this was in Tolkien's mind when he was writing.

[Laura Palacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

En este libro el autor realiza una gran exposición investigativa sobre las fuentes literarias, mitológicas, lingüísticas, históricas y poéticas que inspiraron a J.R.R. Tolkien en la elaboración de su ficción cosmogónica de la Tierra Media. Así, de manera detallada explica cómo Tolkien elaboró a sus personajes más memorables inspirándose de diversas fuentes, como la mitología nórdica, las sagas islandesas, germánicas y nórdicas; además del paralelismo significativo existente entre algunos de sus personajes con personajes históricos de la historia europea.
Me pareció una lectura excelente, muy recomendada para cualquiera que desee comprender en profundidad el mundo de Tolkien.

[Mary Z. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose one might say it wasn't a terrible book, I admit I rather enjoyed learning a few facts unknown to me. But the author clearly has no idea of what he was writing about, some of the facts that he made out as true, were false, and I laughed at a few of the presumptions he had as they were far fetched and impossible.
Some of the illustrations can be disturbing for one of my liking, especially the depiction of dwarves and hobbits.
My views are my own, but other may think opposite as it can be an intertaining book overall.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy David Day's books. I've read this one in a while and don't remember how good it was, really...

[Jan Christophersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The world of Tolkien" er ikke helt let læselig. I starten er den heller ikke helt fungerende: Det er for korte afsnit, tror jeg. Det kommer ikke rigtig ind under huden. Det bliver bedre undervejs, og bogen giver nogle interessante vinkler på det univers, Ringenes Herre foregår i. Det bedste jeg kan sige om bogen, er nu nok, at den gav mig lyst til at læse Tolkien.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about many aspects of Tolkien's world and mythos in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the Silmarillion and draws numerous parallels to myths, legends, and stories from various European, Greek, and other traditions. As a Tolkien fan I found this book very interesting and it will definitely add some further insight and appreciation into my next reading of Tolkien's works.

[Κεσκίνης Χρήστος · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αρκετά καλογραμμένο έργο, αλλά η αλήθεια είναι πως δεν έχει να προσφέρει πολλά σε κάποιον που είναι εξοικειωμένος με το έργο του Καθηγητή. Φυσικά και το απόλαυσα, αλλά δεν βρήκα εδώ κάτι να με συναρπάσει. Ίσως απλά μου άνοιξε (ξανά) την όρεξη να επισκεφτώ τον κόσμο της Μέσης Γης. Λες και χρειάζομαι έξτρα λόγο...

[meghana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm being generous and rounding this up to three stars because of the illustrations when I'm really feeling two and a half. I felt a bit annoyed at the author's tone and statements about Tolkien's intentions and inspirations. Despite stating that Tolkien disliked allegory (something I support and try to help other people understand) the author continues to compare events in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to religious beliefs and (I feel) makes assumptions about how Tolkien felt about things when this is all completely without source and somewhat baseless.
Also Tolkien was a Catholic not Christian.
This book would have been better if the author hadn't been 'Tolkien felt this way' or 'clearly Tolkien wrote it this way because of this event' when neither the author nor anyone else can clearly say how Tolkien really thought and felt about things.
There is a book 'Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien' as well as 'On Fairy Stories' essay that give insight into how he thought, but otherwise you're just making guesses.
It's a good book for the casual fan, (or if you're a collector like me) but hardcore Ringers might want something else.

[Katarina Blažić · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World of Tolkien is a great reference book to the world of Middle-earth and a guide to all the myths, legends and historical figures and events that (somewhat) inspired J.R.R. Tolkien.

Since I previously read Day's A Tolkien Bestiary, Humphrey Carpenter's J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography as well as other books that deal with Tolkien's work, I was familiar with most of the information here. However, there were some false and/or inaccurate claims (for example, Sigurd and Brynhildr's relationship was definitely not a happy one, as Day states) and I would have preferred a more scholarly approach to the topic.

The artwork is fine, although it could have been slightly better.

All in all, I would recommend this introductory book to all Tolkien fans.

[Henrique Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Day nos lleva a los orígenes del Señor de los Anillos, sus fuentes en varias leyendas nórdicas como el mito de Erendil y otros elementos de la literatura nórdica, el origen de las lenguas habladas por los personajes y aquí cabe destacar que Tolkien utilizó al señor de los anillos como herramienta pedagógica para interesar a sus alumnos de filología de la lengua inglesa en las distintas raices y orígenes del inglés moderno.

Un buen libro de consulta para todos aquellos interesados en el origen de una de las obras literarias que ha marcado pauta en el campo de la literatura fantástica contemporánea.

[Richard Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't really add to what "Book Description" says. A couple of irksome problems. 1. Tends to be repiticious. That may be a fault of the format. Day, however, tends to point those out. 2. There were many grammatical and publication issues....words missing, double wording, typo issues, among others. The author is British so be prepared for British terms, spelling and grammatical styles. On the positive side, the illustrations are marvelous. It would interesting if some publisher would include them within the text of LOR.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cool seeing where Tolkien got his ideas and the connections he made with mythology and history.

[Amr Rashad · Rating 5 out of 5]

One amazing book that shows the level of Tolkien's Epicness. He molded the world, history, myths, legends, heroes, and villains into one gigantic, prehistoric, tale of Good vs Evil.