Rating: 
Summary: Your official tour guide to Middle-earth..
Review: If you've ever been one flipping to the maps in "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings" , or "The Silmarillion" to see where the action is taking place, then this book is for you.Karen Wynn Fonstad has done a remarkable job of mapping Middle-earth. The atlas is broken down into various sections, each easy to navigate to find what you're looking for. The First Age section is perfect for readers of "The Silmarillion", all the important places are mapped along with ample notes and observations. The Second Age deals with the fall of Numenor, a worthy companion to those reading "Unfinished Tales". The majority of the book deals with the Third Age. This is where "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" takes place. There are maps showing the kingdoms of the Dunedain as well as the migration of the dwarves and the hobbits. There are regional maps detailing the Shire, the Misty Mountains, Eriador, and Mordor. Two lengthy sections are devoted to the Hobbit and LotR, showing all the key places in the books. Fantastic maps to look over again and again. Towards the end of the book are included the thematic maps. Very interesting. These show the landforms, climate, vegetation, population and languages spoken. Overall, if you're remotely interesting in learning more about Middle-earth, or you're just interested in great maps, pick this up. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have for every Tolkien fan
Review: "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" are only a small story inside the world of the Ring developed by J.R.R. Tolkien over all those years... A world with its own languages, maps, religion and cultures. No wonder it was great time that an atlas of this imaginary world should be published one day. Karen W. Fonstad did a great job. The maps are detailed, giving more information in the shaping of Middle Earth, the politics and history of the continent and the detailed description of the journey of the "Fellowship of the Ring" adds an additional touch of realism. Now we get an idea of what the trip must have been, as a distance, and in what kind of environment... This book offers a great orientation in everyone wanting to know more about Middle-Earth.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OUT THERE!
Review: If your interest is in the Mythology of Middle Earth, this book with its extensive illustrations and commentary increase your understanding of the story. If you are only passing through the Tolkein universe through the guidance of the films by Peter Jackson, you can be brought further understanding of the depth of Dr. Tolkein's masterwork. I hope you purchase the book, and enjoy it as much a I.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Resource
Review: Aside from the actual maps drawn or approved by JRR Tolkien in his lifetime, Fonstad's maps are THE primary cartographic source for fans of the books. Additionally, they are by far the most complete and detailed. The maps are not in full color, but in brown, black and shades of gray. In other words, this isn't an art book. It's meant strictly for finding your way through Middle Earth, and in that respect Fonstad is remarkably successful. Her atlas includes both large scale maps of whole regions as well as "blueprints" of all the major buildings (Minas Tirith, Meduseld, etc. right down to the location of every room in Bag End). It also traces the journey of each party in the fellowship as the story progresses. Maps of the first and second age as well as schematic graphical representations of battles are presented (ie invading and defending hosts are represented by arrows). Overall, very helpful and worthy of any serious Tolkienite's library.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not a substitute for other atlases
Review: I got really, REALLY lost using this. I'm not sure who to contact about this, but it's I-27, not I-29, that runs through Lubbock.
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