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Tolkien Illustrated Guides
A Dictionary of Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy. He created characters and a world so rich with details--and so unique--that it warranted a whole new vocabulary along with it. His creation of language is not surprising, considering his first civilian job following his service during World War I was working on the Oxford English Dictionary. Inside, you'll find a chronology of Tolkien's life, along with a short biography and an explanation of his writings. Then flip through the dictionary to discover terms like Aglarond, the great caverns beneath Helm's Deep, or the Black Riders and the mystery surrounding them--among many other terms. This companion serves as a terrific resource for all those in love with Middle Earth and its inhabitants.
- Perfect for Tolkien fans, linguists, or anyone prone to fantasy. A Dictionary is a beautiful addition to any home library, and makes a great conversation piece.
Please note that illustrations are not included with the eBook edition.
This work is unofficial and is not authorized by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.
- Perfect for Tolkien fans, linguists, or anyone prone to fantasy. A Dictionary is a beautiful addition to any home library, and makes a great conversation piece.
Please note that illustrations are not included with the eBook edition.
This work is unofficial and is not authorized by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2013
127 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
David Day
277 books257 followersDavid 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 28, 2017
The design of this book is very appropriate for the middle earth universe; the pages are a crisp cream and the cover has a worn leather effect. Despite its artificiality the book feels aged and worn; it looks like it could be a journal or a notebook of many an inhabitant of Tolkien’s marvellous world.
The definitions are brief, descriptive and totally necessary. The only downside of this book is its limited value in terms of audience reach. There are very few who would benefit from this and truly appreciate its worth.
If you’re a collector of everything Tolkien: then this is the dictionary for you!
If you’re a keen interest in the lore in which the fantasy was built upon: then this is the dictionary for you!
If you want a reminder of that character or place that you can’t quite put into its place: then this is the dictionary for you!
I’m sure this is very few people. But, for those that this would appeal to would not go disappointed. I thought I'd include the definition of my favourite middle-earth character.
“Galadriel queen of Lothlorian. Galadriel was a Noldor princess who was born in Eldamar during the ages of starlight. Galadriel and her brother joined the Noldor who pursued Morgoth and the Silmarils to Middle-earth. Tall and beautiful, with the golden hair of her mother, she was called Altariel in Eldarmar. This was translated as Galadriel meaning “lady of light”.”
The definitions are brief, descriptive and totally necessary. The only downside of this book is its limited value in terms of audience reach. There are very few who would benefit from this and truly appreciate its worth.
If you’re a collector of everything Tolkien: then this is the dictionary for you!
If you’re a keen interest in the lore in which the fantasy was built upon: then this is the dictionary for you!
If you want a reminder of that character or place that you can’t quite put into its place: then this is the dictionary for you!
I’m sure this is very few people. But, for those that this would appeal to would not go disappointed. I thought I'd include the definition of my favourite middle-earth character.
“Galadriel queen of Lothlorian. Galadriel was a Noldor princess who was born in Eldamar during the ages of starlight. Galadriel and her brother joined the Noldor who pursued Morgoth and the Silmarils to Middle-earth. Tall and beautiful, with the golden hair of her mother, she was called Altariel in Eldarmar. This was translated as Galadriel meaning “lady of light”.”
July 12, 2017
This dictionary is an absolute God-send for my nerdtastic brain!
I love being able to look up anything and everything I come across in the Tolkein Universe - specifically when I'm re-reading Lord of the Rings.
A must have for anyone who likes having a reference when there are so many characters, names and places to keep track of.
Plus my copy is leather bound which makes it look old and really cool! (Again massive nerd that I am)
I love being able to look up anything and everything I come across in the Tolkein Universe - specifically when I'm re-reading Lord of the Rings.
A must have for anyone who likes having a reference when there are so many characters, names and places to keep track of.
Plus my copy is leather bound which makes it look old and really cool! (Again massive nerd that I am)
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December 31, 2014
I may love Tolkien’s worlds, but my knowledge isn’t encyclopaedic. I didn’t read this cover to cover — I’m sure some people would, but it’s not the kind of thing I enjoy — but it strikes me as a good encyclopaedia for the world (less a dictionary, I think: it’s not just about the etymology and meaning of words, or even mostly) and a good reference, especially for those who find things like genealogies and far off cities difficult. It’s a well presented book, too: faux-leather, with an embossed cover and nice pages, some illustrations included, and the maps on the endpapers.
Just flicking through it, I’d find myself drawn in and reading an entry or two in whole: the one on dragons spans several pages, for example. It covers a lot of the more obscure stuff, from The Silmarillion and beyond; I’m not sure how much it draws on Tolkien’s unpublished papers, given the difficulty of figuring out what is meant to be canonical. I’ll update this if I ever find out definitively.
Just flicking through it, I’d find myself drawn in and reading an entry or two in whole: the one on dragons spans several pages, for example. It covers a lot of the more obscure stuff, from The Silmarillion and beyond; I’m not sure how much it draws on Tolkien’s unpublished papers, given the difficulty of figuring out what is meant to be canonical. I’ll update this if I ever find out definitively.
March 14, 2016
Fantasticna knjiga.
Hvala Dejvidu Deju na trudu koji je ulozio da bi ovo delo nastalo.
Zelite da se podsetite cega sve to ima U Srednjoj Zemlji, Potopljenom Belerijandu, Valinoru, takodje potopljenom Numenoru, ko obitava u Bezvremenim Holovima..... ovo knjiga je prava stvar.
Hvala Dejvidu Deju na trudu koji je ulozio da bi ovo delo nastalo.
Zelite da se podsetite cega sve to ima U Srednjoj Zemlji, Potopljenom Belerijandu, Valinoru, takodje potopljenom Numenoru, ko obitava u Bezvremenim Holovima..... ovo knjiga je prava stvar.
September 1, 2025
5/5 Stars (%95/100)
A brilliant and must-have dictionary for Tolkien fans but also very useful for people who are reading his books or plan to. There is information about pretty much everything; places, trees, birds, creatures, elves, men, dwarves, and many more that I am not even going to bother to write. The descriptions are usually short but very informative. Some are longer than others such as Elves, Valar, Men, Bilbo Baggins, and other more important characters and places. Thus, whenever I need to look up a word about Tolkien's works, I am going to read this book instead of using the Internet. On top of being a great dictionary, there are a lot of illustrations about the characters, places and so forth. The only thing that bothered me a bit is the fact that they are all in black and white. I have David Day's The Dark Powers of Tolkien and the illustrations in that book are all colored and the overall design of the book is better in my opinion. Finally, I think this is a brilliant book if you want to easily access information about Tolkien's world and also a very good piece to have as part of a collection.
A brilliant and must-have dictionary for Tolkien fans but also very useful for people who are reading his books or plan to. There is information about pretty much everything; places, trees, birds, creatures, elves, men, dwarves, and many more that I am not even going to bother to write. The descriptions are usually short but very informative. Some are longer than others such as Elves, Valar, Men, Bilbo Baggins, and other more important characters and places. Thus, whenever I need to look up a word about Tolkien's works, I am going to read this book instead of using the Internet. On top of being a great dictionary, there are a lot of illustrations about the characters, places and so forth. The only thing that bothered me a bit is the fact that they are all in black and white. I have David Day's The Dark Powers of Tolkien and the illustrations in that book are all colored and the overall design of the book is better in my opinion. Finally, I think this is a brilliant book if you want to easily access information about Tolkien's world and also a very good piece to have as part of a collection.
May 29, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
While the continuous amount of errors in the writing irks me to no end (like, seriously, it’s called proofreading - try it sometime), this book really cements a number of different little things in Tolkien’s world that you tend to glaze over when reading his larger works. For example, it finally clicked in my mind through reading this that Tolkien in fact has werewolves and vampires in his world 🧛♂️🐺
Eat it, Twilight - these ones don’t sparkle!
While the continuous amount of errors in the writing irks me to no end (like, seriously, it’s called proofreading - try it sometime), this book really cements a number of different little things in Tolkien’s world that you tend to glaze over when reading his larger works. For example, it finally clicked in my mind through reading this that Tolkien in fact has werewolves and vampires in his world 🧛♂️🐺
Eat it, Twilight - these ones don’t sparkle!
June 14, 2017
Very informative and well-organized! Reading this is almost like rereading LotR and Silmarillion again. It's well-worded with lots of phrasing taken directly from the books.
A great reference book with beautiful illustrations!
A great reference book with beautiful illustrations!
December 26, 2017
This is perfect for a Tolkien fan :)
May 2, 2025
I love having this book! It’s really helpful to have alongside any of The Lord of the Rings books and helps me remember all the characters :).
April 6, 2022
A must have for Tolkien fans. Very detailed descriptions and explanations with some beautiful illustrations (except the one of bilbo which is nightmare fuel)
June 27, 2017
Don't mind me, I'll be sitting in the corner stroking the cover and crooning quietly to myself. Mmmm. Preciousssss...
Of David Day's three Tolkenian guides, this one is probably the least - that is to say, you probably want to buy it with at least one of the others (I would recommend all three, because they are very pretty and imminently handy for cross-reference). As usual, the material is pretty thorough and well-researched, but as with all guides, it cannot go into the detail that would satisfy fans like myself who have dug so deep into the legendarium and have become so familiar with all the gaps, 'maybes' and 'I like this thing but do not know how to explain it in a way that is consistent with my setting's that litter Tolkien's work.
That said, it's incredibly handy for looking up the name of that one character that may also be the same as that other character because everyone has at least six names and you can't remember exactly which one they were using at the time of this particular world-shaping catastrophe.
Very handy, very pretty. Would recommend. Yes, precious, yes...
Of David Day's three Tolkenian guides, this one is probably the least - that is to say, you probably want to buy it with at least one of the others (I would recommend all three, because they are very pretty and imminently handy for cross-reference). As usual, the material is pretty thorough and well-researched, but as with all guides, it cannot go into the detail that would satisfy fans like myself who have dug so deep into the legendarium and have become so familiar with all the gaps, 'maybes' and 'I like this thing but do not know how to explain it in a way that is consistent with my setting's that litter Tolkien's work.
That said, it's incredibly handy for looking up the name of that one character that may also be the same as that other character because everyone has at least six names and you can't remember exactly which one they were using at the time of this particular world-shaping catastrophe.
Very handy, very pretty. Would recommend. Yes, precious, yes...
August 7, 2018
Easy to read, well organized, informative, and engaging.
October 4, 2025
The A - Z illustrated (black and white) dictionary is well researched.
An Introduction gives a brief history of Tolkiens life.
Having written The Hobbit at the age of 45, and The Lord Of The Rings at the age of 62.
The first and last inside pages display a well thought out map that shows the landscape of Arda throughout its existence.
There is a comprehensive chronology just before the dictionary begins, and an in-depth index at the end of the dictionary.
A worthwhile dictionary for Tolkien fans.
An Introduction gives a brief history of Tolkiens life.
Having written The Hobbit at the age of 45, and The Lord Of The Rings at the age of 62.
The first and last inside pages display a well thought out map that shows the landscape of Arda throughout its existence.
There is a comprehensive chronology just before the dictionary begins, and an in-depth index at the end of the dictionary.
A worthwhile dictionary for Tolkien fans.
July 10, 2022
definitely using this and the encyclopaedia when i read the silm as my tolkienverse resource bc i cannot for the life of me remember all the characters and specific terminology
July 18, 2024
Cool binding, illustrations and layout. That’s pretty much it, the information is mostly correct but there are plenty of canonical and proofreading errors and a few classic Day inventions that have no source with Tolkien in the slightest. The handiness is also in question as there are a lot of redundancies, and plenty left out.
It was still fun to read through though as a fan of the legendarium, and the errors are nitpicky to be sure, but this is supposed to be a reference work, so I expect accuracy.
I would say just use the Tolkien Gateway wiki instead for a more comprehensive source of canon and more.
It was still fun to read through though as a fan of the legendarium, and the errors are nitpicky to be sure, but this is supposed to be a reference work, so I expect accuracy.
I would say just use the Tolkien Gateway wiki instead for a more comprehensive source of canon and more.
January 31, 2016
SO. MUCH. INFORMATION.
I wanted to remember it all, but I just couldn't. This is a great book if you want to learn/get to know more about almost everything Middle Earth and Undying Lands related. You just keep getting new information and you keep learning things throughout the whole book. At one point there are some parts you already read somewhere in the beginning because there are things that relate to each other. I would totally recommend this book to all Tolkien lovers and I will be reading this again to learn even more!
I wanted to remember it all, but I just couldn't. This is a great book if you want to learn/get to know more about almost everything Middle Earth and Undying Lands related. You just keep getting new information and you keep learning things throughout the whole book. At one point there are some parts you already read somewhere in the beginning because there are things that relate to each other. I would totally recommend this book to all Tolkien lovers and I will be reading this again to learn even more!
August 2, 2023
Very inaccurate; anyone who’s read Tolkien can tell that David Day had a few theories that he just assumed were facts and wrote them as such. This goes for all of the other `analyses’ of Tolkien’s work that David Day wrote. Would not recommend at all.
February 14, 2014
Originally released many years ago as the Tolkien Bestiary, this is an updated volume that is a fun reference book for the Tolkien fan.
March 19, 2016
if you love tokien's books and want to know more about them I'd recomment you to read this dictionary. the ilustrations are beautiful too!!
4/5.
4/5.
August 30, 2017
Hearts hearts hearts
December 29, 2023
"A Dictionary of Tolkien" is an indispensable reference guide for fans and scholars of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and it unquestionably merits a five-star rating. This meticulously crafted dictionary offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the rich and complex world created by Tolkien.
One of the standout strengths of this reference work is its meticulous attention to detail. Every entry is carefully researched and provides valuable insights into the characters, places, languages, and lore of Middle-earth. It serves as a treasure trove of knowledge for those who wish to delve deeper into the intricacies of Tolkien's legendarium.
The book's five-star rating reflects its ability to enhance the reading experience of Tolkien's works. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to Middle-earth, "A Dictionary of Tolkien" enriches your understanding of the stories, characters, and cultures that inhabit this fantasy realm. It allows readers to immerse themselves more fully in Tolkien's masterful storytelling.
Furthermore, the book's accessibility and clarity make it suitable for both casual readers and dedicated scholars. The concise and well-organized entries ensure that readers can easily find the information they seek, whether it's about a beloved character like Frodo Baggins or the intricacies of Elvish languages.
"A Dictionary of Tolkien" is a five-star reference guide that enriches the experience of exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's literary world. It serves as an invaluable resource for fans, scholars, and anyone interested in the depth and beauty of Middle-earth. This dictionary is a testament to the enduring legacy of Tolkien's work and the profound impact it has had on the world of literature and fantasy.
One of the standout strengths of this reference work is its meticulous attention to detail. Every entry is carefully researched and provides valuable insights into the characters, places, languages, and lore of Middle-earth. It serves as a treasure trove of knowledge for those who wish to delve deeper into the intricacies of Tolkien's legendarium.
The book's five-star rating reflects its ability to enhance the reading experience of Tolkien's works. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to Middle-earth, "A Dictionary of Tolkien" enriches your understanding of the stories, characters, and cultures that inhabit this fantasy realm. It allows readers to immerse themselves more fully in Tolkien's masterful storytelling.
Furthermore, the book's accessibility and clarity make it suitable for both casual readers and dedicated scholars. The concise and well-organized entries ensure that readers can easily find the information they seek, whether it's about a beloved character like Frodo Baggins or the intricacies of Elvish languages.
"A Dictionary of Tolkien" is a five-star reference guide that enriches the experience of exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's literary world. It serves as an invaluable resource for fans, scholars, and anyone interested in the depth and beauty of Middle-earth. This dictionary is a testament to the enduring legacy of Tolkien's work and the profound impact it has had on the world of literature and fantasy.
September 22, 2022
(Retrouver tous mes avis lectures sur mon instagram @ocean.ofbooks)
《- Bonjour !
- Qu’entendez vous par là ? Me souhaitez vous le bonjour ou constatez vous que c’est une bonne journée, que je le veuille ou non, ou encore que c’est une journée où il faut être bon ?
- Tout cela à la fois, je suppose.》
Sur l'univers épique du célèbre J. R. R. Tolkien.
En plus du travail éditorial remarquable rendant ces livres très agréables à l'œil, ces ouvrages nous aident à mieux comprendre l'univers complexe de la Terre du Milieu, ses héros, son histoire, ses guerres, ses légendes et ses secrets.
Toutefois je tiens à préciser que ces ouvrages n'ont pas été, de près ou de loin, réalisé ou approuvé par les héritiers de J. R. R. Tolkien, ou Tolkien lui-même, ni par aucun éditeur ou distributeurs du livre "Le seigneur des anneaux" ou tout autres ouvrages écrit par lui.
Je les conseille vivement à tous les fans.
《- Bonjour !
- Qu’entendez vous par là ? Me souhaitez vous le bonjour ou constatez vous que c’est une bonne journée, que je le veuille ou non, ou encore que c’est une journée où il faut être bon ?
- Tout cela à la fois, je suppose.》
Sur l'univers épique du célèbre J. R. R. Tolkien.
En plus du travail éditorial remarquable rendant ces livres très agréables à l'œil, ces ouvrages nous aident à mieux comprendre l'univers complexe de la Terre du Milieu, ses héros, son histoire, ses guerres, ses légendes et ses secrets.
Toutefois je tiens à préciser que ces ouvrages n'ont pas été, de près ou de loin, réalisé ou approuvé par les héritiers de J. R. R. Tolkien, ou Tolkien lui-même, ni par aucun éditeur ou distributeurs du livre "Le seigneur des anneaux" ou tout autres ouvrages écrit par lui.
Je les conseille vivement à tous les fans.
February 19, 2025
This lovely book has been with me on many adventures over the last three years. It fit perfectly in my Jigglypuff Loungefly backpack, so whenever I’ve been out and about and happened find a couple minutes to read, out came the nerdiness. Yes, I read a Tolkien dictionary in public. Many, many times. It’s a great purse book because I could just read a few pages, and not have to worry about plot. Like if it was two weeks between readings, no big deal. Anyhoo… this dictionary is a must have for anyone who loves the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. I found it fascinating. The illustrations are amazing as well. I’m excited to read “The Heroes of Tolkien” from the same collection next!
May 3, 2023
Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. The info in here is interesting, but I just couldn't get over the amount of typos in a published book. There were sentences that referred to multiple Balrogs (plural) in Moria, followed by a sentence later, where the author (correctly) only referred to the one Balrog in Moria. I couldn't focus on reading for content and found myself wishing I had a red pen to cross out or correct grammatical errors and typos (like the atrocious "orcsd" - why is that "d" in there? Did no one check the book for errors before sending to publication??).
February 5, 2024
I think there’s a lot of hate about Day, because Tolkien estate wanted to be the place for Tolkien, and there’s a lot of competition to be ‘the authority on Tolkien’ and that adds to the hate angled at Day. But his books are incredibly informative, and very interesting. They are not meant for the Tolkien scholars out there, though even if you are one it’s still amazing! This book deserves a 10 out of 5, it’s so good. I love his books, they really add depth and scope when reading (er, re-reading again) Tolkiens works. Such a good book by a great author!
October 14, 2024
A great read to orient oneself with all of Tolkien's vocabulary. It's quite literally, a dictionary, so of course, there aren't many (if any) entertaining images in comparison to other books in this collection. This makes the book a bit... tedious to get through, but it is still recommended if you're just starting out in Tolkien's verses and want to know everything you need to know about who's who and what's what in Tolkienverse!
February 4, 2023
2 starts because it’s pretty. If only the contents matched the cover. This book regurgitates all his other books. From immense narrative liberties taken to pure fabrication, you cannot trust that anything you’re reading in this book is accurate or true.
October 29, 2024
I obviously can’t say I read the book through, but it had been very helpful when reading Tom Bombadil, the Silmarillion, or the hobbit when you forget certain, locations or characters. You can simply look them up in here and it’ll remind you without major spoilers.
June 7, 2025
I am a huge fan and bought the new leather sleeve box set. Although I live in Wales and I'm used to pronouncing the language, I really struggled with some of the more creative and unique languages Tolkien created. It's set out as a standard dictionary. A-Z.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews