The history and mythology that inspired Tolkien's world.

The spellbinding world of Middle-earth is full of beasts and battles, heroes and heroines, and the struggle between good and evil.

In this dictionary of sources, Tolkien scholar and best-selling author David Day's four decades of research inform us about the lands, inhabitants, languages, geography and history of Middle-earth.

This compelling encyclopedia on Tolkien's world also includes over 200 illustrations and an appendix that examines the legends that were key sources for Tolkien's creations - the Volsunga Saga, the Nibelungenlied, and Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle.