Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Own For Any Serious Tolkien Fan
Review: Reading The Silmarillion without this companion is like trying to read in the dark. Tolkien's world is so complex, textured and detailed that you can easily get lost in all the characters, place-names and various events throughout the ages. It's virtually impossible to fully comprehend the events of the first (and even second) age based on the two maps included the The Silmarillion text. Fonstad's tireless work helps add to the realism of the work by giving such detail as the location of Morgoth's nethermost chamber under Thangorodrim and the passageways of Cirith Ungol where Shelob's lair is hidden and even a floor plan of Bag End! In hindsight, I would have paid more to get it. If you're the type of Tolkien reader who likes to go back and re-read the books from time to time, you'll find yourself keeping this handy when you do. Super job!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I have read the Lord of the Rings (LotR) trilogy seven times. I have seen all the movies, good and bad, and seen many local productions. I have listened to many radio plays (the 13-CD BBC production is one of my favorites), often several times. I mention those just to say that my standards are high.Recently, I was looking for some detailed maps online. I looked many places. Most of them were disappointing and none met my needs. When I read the reviews for this book, I was very excited, but tried to keep my hopes in check. There was no need -- this book met my needs and then some. The maps are done by a professional cartographer and it shows in the excellent quality and care for detail. The two-color (black and red, with shades) maps are drawn clearly and detailed. I never had to squint to read the lettering. The summary sections are well-informed, with references for more support for the reader, and covering a wide area of time and topic. Look at the table of contents on Amazon and you will see the wide coverage. Split into sections by the different ages, the sections covering the LotR is detailed. Geographical areas are covered as are the travels of the different parties. Even tables of days and distance and speed are laid out very well. The last section has information on landforms, climate, vegetation, population and languages. Interesting reading that was totally unexpected. This truly is a work of love and worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Guide to Middle Earth
Review: For the serious Tolkein reader this book is absolutely necessary. I find myself referring to it frequently while reading the books. The more you learn about this wonderful world the more there is to know that enriches the reading experience
Rating:
Summary: A marvelous addition, at a (small) cost
Review: I found this reference to be an absolutely essential companion to my first reading of LOTR. My only very small criticism (not even enough to subtract a star!) is that a few of the maps reveal "spoilers" - in my search for details about the geography of Mordor, I found references to upcoming plot points. This may well be inevitable in a work of this kind, but it is a bit disconcerting. Of couse, my criticism will be misplaced for many buyers, who doubtless are longtime Tolkein fans - but if you're considering buying this as a gift for someone who's just starting with Tolkein, warn them to take care in choosing which maps to open.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for Fans of Middle Earth
Review: This atlas is an excellent resouce for the Middle Earth works. While reading Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and others, I had a hard time getting a visual picture of an area or map in my mind. This book was everything I wanted and more. I was surprised at the extensive amount of information on each age and the great illustrations and maps for everything from Bilbo's attercop chapter with the spiders in Mirkwood and the escape of the Dwarves' and Bilbo, to the mines of Moria including Gandalf's path of escape. Karen Wynn Fonstad has put an extensive amount of research and time into an excellent book. It has made my reading of J.R.R. Tolkien's work so much more meaningful.
Rating: 
Summary: I can hardly keep my eyes off it !
Review: I got this for Hannukah about 2 years ago .I've never been more excited .I actually could visualize thle battles ,see Moria from a birds eye view ,and many more things .Fonstad does not only make the atlas an atlas ,but also summarizes the battles ,the migration of the Elves ,Hobbits ,Dwarves ,and Men .I highly reccomend this to any Tolkien fanatic.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is very cool - the authors have taken clues from Tolkien's books and notes and come up with maps (including narratives) for major passages in Middle Earth history. I have the hardcover edition (available from Easton Press only I believe) which is a neat volume - sure the paperback version is equally good (if not as collectable).
Rating:
Summary: Enriching Your Middle Earth Experience
Review: The last time I re-read LORD OF THE RINGS I kept this book beside me. Every time Frodo's or Aragorn's journey changed I referred to the maps in Fonstad's book. I understood Tolkien's geography so much better that way. And I got a better understanding of distances and travel time (how far *is* Isengard from Rohan??). The maps are detailed, yet easy to read. Fonstad's text is enlightening as well. Not only are geographical maps included, but also architectural maps: Bag End, Rivendell, and more! For the Tolkien aficionado, Fonstad has mapped the Silmarillion and for the Tolkien neophyte she's included maps that accompany The Hobbit. A timeline of RINGS is included as well - very helpful since Tolkien, unlike Peter Jackson's movie, does not "intercut" between Frodo and Aragorn's stories, but instead spends many chapters with each. Why is this book better than the maps that Tolkien drew himself for the books? Because Fonstad traces the complete journey in several maps that show topography and routes taken. I highly recommend trying to read Tolkien's books with Fonstad's maps close by for reference.
Rating:
Summary: necessity for Tolkien fans
Review: When reading Lord of the Rings or other Tolkien works like the Silmarillion, many readers (including myself) find the vastness of it all very difficult. It's hard to remember which mountains were where, who lived in what place, and when various peoples moved. Despite a few inaccuracies, this atlas is an invaluable resource, especially for geography buffs. It provides great detail in all areas. Even the size and direction of advancing armies is noted, lending the whole saga an even more "historical" feel. Just another great resource that brings the classic Tolkien mythology to life!
Rating:
Summary: superb
Review: i had the original edition atlas (published early 1980's) with me when i re-read the hobbit and LOTR trilogy last winter. The atlas provides a visual aid that made it easier for me to participate imaginatively in the progress of the stories. it is also very helpful when reading the silmarillion and other tolkien works. i agree with the criticism about general maps at times being too separated from detailed maps. i spent a lot of time flipping pages back and forth and kept two or three book marks in place at one time. ...
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