# The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

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Reference book for Tolkien's fictional setting

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth Dust jacket of 1978 edition Author Robert Foster Cover artist The Brothers Hildebrandt Language English Subject Tolkien's legendarium Genre Reference Publisher Ballantine Books Publication date 1978 Publication place United States Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback) Pages 573 pp ISBN 0-345-44976-2 (2001 edition) OCLC 48541956 Preceded by A Guide to Middle-earth, Mirage Press, 1971

***The Complete Guide to Middle-earth: from*The Hobbit*to*The Silmarillion** is a reference book for [J. R. R. Tolkien](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien)'s fictional universe of [Middle-earth](/source/Middle-earth), compiled and edited by Robert Foster. It was first published in 1971 under the title ***A Guide to Middle-earth***. A revised and enlarged edition under the title ***The Complete Guide to Middle-earth*** was published in 1978. It received a third edition in 2001.

## Author

Robert Foster (b. 1949, [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn%2C_New_York)) earned a Ph.D. in English and Medieval Studies at the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania), and taught subsequently in the English Department at [Rutgers University](/source/Rutgers_University).[1][2] Foster begun work on this in the late sixties, consulting Tolkien works and letters.[3]

## *A Guide to Middle-earth*

The 1971 *A Guide to Middle-earth* was the first published [encyclopedic](/source/Encyclopedia) reference book for the [fictional universe](/source/Fictional_universe) of [J. R. R. Tolkien](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien)'s [Middle-earth](/source/Middle-earth), compiled and edited by Robert Foster.[3] The book was published in 1971 by [Mirage Press](/source/Mirage_Press), a specialist [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction) and [fantasy](/source/Fantasy) publisher, in a limited edition.[3] A paperback edition was issued by [Ballantine Books](/source/Ballantine_Books) in 1974.[4]

The author profile in the first edition describes Robert Foster as the then-"[Tengwar](/source/Tengwar) Consultant" to the [Tolkien Society of America](/source/Tolkien_fandom).[5] The book incorporates material previously published in the [science fiction fanzine](/source/Science_fiction_fanzine) *[Niekas](/source/Niekas)*.[3]

## *The Complete Guide to Middle-earth*

AINUR (Q.: 'holy ones') Angelic spirits, offspring of the thought of Ilúvatar. Most of the Ainur dwell with Ilúvatar, but some, the Valar and Maiar (qq.v.), have come to Eä to fulfill the Ainulindalë. ...

— Part of the entry for "[Ainur](/source/Ainur_in_Middle-earth)", *The Complete Guide to Middle-earth*[6]

*The Complete Guide to Middle-earth*, published in 1978 was a major expansion of *A Guide to Middle-earth*, at almost twice its length, with coverage of *[The Silmarillion](/source/The_Silmarillion)*, which came out in 1977.[7] However, as it does not include information on post-*Silmarillion* material (i.e. *[Unfinished Tales](/source/Unfinished_Tales)* and the history of composition series *[The History of Middle-earth](/source/The_History_of_Middle-earth)*), the 1978 edition contains some assertions supported by later publications, and some that are contradicted. For example, the Star of [Elendil](/source/Elendil) jewel (the Elendilmir) is identified with the Star of the [Dúnedain](/source/D%C3%BAnedain) given to [Samwise Gamgee](/source/Samwise_Gamgee), something refuted by [Christopher Tolkien](/source/Christopher_Tolkien).[8] On the other hand, Foster proposes that [Gandalf](/source/Gandalf) and [Olórin](/source/Ol%C3%B3rin) are one and the same; this is stated directly by Gandalf in *The Two Towers*.[9]

A revised edition ([ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-44976-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-44976-2)) was published in 2001, in time for [Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson)'s [*The Lord of the Rings* film trilogy](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(film_series)).[3]

A new [hardback edition illustrated](/source/Illustrating_Tolkien) by [Ted Nasmith](/source/Ted_Nasmith), including standard and slipcased versions, was released in September 2022.[10][11]

## Reception

Early editions of *The Complete Guide to Middle-earth* have been widely recognised as providing an excellent reference on Middle-earth.[12] [Lester del Rey](/source/Lester_del_Rey) praised the 1971 version for covering "literally everything you wanted to know about Middle Earth and were unable to discover before."[13] [Christopher Tolkien](/source/Christopher_Tolkien) commended it in 1980 as an "admirable work of reference".[14] in 2002, Charles W. Nelson, author of *A Tolkien Bestiary*, wrote that the guide was helpful for Tolkien students and enthusiasts, each new edition being a noticeable improvement over its predecessors in terms of comprehensiveness.[3]

Dissenting, Adam Roberts, writing in *[The Times](/source/The_Times)* in 2022, calls the revised edition disappointing and "woefully outdated" in the face of the wealth of information on Tolkien now available on the Internet.[11]

## Translations

A Polish edition, *Encyklopedia Śródziemia*, was published in 1998, and reprinted in 2002, 2003 and 2012.[15] A German edition, *Das Große Mittelerde-Lexikon*, revised and translated by [Helmut W. Pesch](/source/Helmut_W._Pesch), was published in 2002.[16]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-alibris_1-0)** ["Robert Foster"](http://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Foster,%20Robert/aid/1661010#). Alibris. Retrieved 15 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-loc_2-0)** [*Robert Foster Complete Guide to Middle Earth*](http://catalog2.loc.gov/vwebv/holdingsInfo?searchId=8872&recCount=100&recPointer=0&bibId=13442830). [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress). 2003. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-3454-6529-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-3454-6529-0). Retrieved 15 January 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-:0_3-5) Nelson, Charles W. (2002). ["Review of The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, from The Hobbit through The Lord of The Rings and Beyond"](https://www.jstor.org/stable/43308582). *[Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts](/source/Journal_of_the_Fantastic_in_the_Arts)*. **13** (2 (50)): 190–192. [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [43308582](https://www.jstor.org/stable/43308582).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDrout2006655–656_4-0)** [Drout 2006](#CITEREFDrout2006), pp. 655–656.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** *Complete Guide*, author profile

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Foster, Robert; Nasmith, Ted (illus.) (2022). *The Complete Guide to Middle-earth: The Definitive Guide to the World of J.R.R. Tolkien* (Illustrated ed.). [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-0085-3781-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-0085-3781-4). [alt. subtitle] From *The Silmarillion* to *The Lord of the Rings*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETolkien1977_7-0)** [Tolkien 1977](#CITEREFTolkien1977).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETolkien1980Footnote_8_in_'Many_Roads_Lead_Eastward_(1)',_p._309_8-0)** [Tolkien 1980](#CITEREFTolkien1980), Footnote 8 in 'Many Roads Lead Eastward (1)', p. 309.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETolkien1954Book_4,_ch._5_"The_Window_on_the_West",_where_Gandalf_states:_"Many_are_my_names_in_many_countries,_he_said._Mithrandir_among_the_Elves,_Tharkûn_to_the_Dwarves;_Olórin_I_was_in_my_youth_in_the_West_that_is_forgotten,_in_the_South_Incánus,_in_the_North_Gandalf;_to_the_East_I_go_not."_9-0)** [Tolkien 1954](#CITEREFTolkien1954), Book 4, ch. 5 "The Window on the West", where Gandalf states: "Many are my names in many countries, he said. Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not.".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth 2022"](https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=38243). *Tolkien Collector's Guide*. 18 March 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Roberts_2022_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Roberts_2022_11-1) Roberts, Adam (1 September 2022). ["The Complete Guide to Middle-earth by Robert Foster review — avoid this encyclopaedia disappointica"](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/the-complete-guide-to-middle-earth-by-robert-foster-review-x3gk2szz7). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDrout2006xxix_(editor's_introduction,_which_refers_to_the_book_by_the_title_of_the_1971_edition_12-0)** [Drout 2006](#CITEREFDrout2006), p. xxix (editor's introduction, which refers to the book by the title of the 1971 edition.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [del Rey, Lester](/source/Lester_del_Rey) (1974). "Reading Room". *[If](/source/If_(magazine))* (September 1974): 132.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETolkien19806_(editor's_introduction)_"If_I_have_been_inadequate_in_explanation_or_unintentionally_obscure,_Mr_Robert_Foster's_''Complete_Guide_to_Middle-earth''_supplies,_as_I_have_found_through_frequent_use,_an_admirable_work_of_reference."_14-0)** [Tolkien 1980](#CITEREFTolkien1980), p. 6 (editor's introduction) "If I have been inadequate in explanation or unintentionally obscure, Mr Robert Foster's *Complete Guide to Middle-earth* supplies, as I have found through frequent use, an admirable work of reference.".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Encyklopedia Śródziemia – encyklopediafantastyki.pl"](http://www.encyklopediafantastyki.pl/index.php?title=Encyklopedia_%C5%9Ar%C3%B3dziemia). *www.encyklopediafantastyki.pl*. Retrieved 2021-10-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDrout2006240_16-0)** [Drout 2006](#CITEREFDrout2006), p. 240.

## Sources

- [Drout, Michael](/source/Michael_D._C._Drout) (2006). *[J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien_Encyclopedia)*. [Routledge](/source/Routledge). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-415-96942-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-415-96942-5).

- [Tolkien, J. R. R.](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien) (1954). *[The Two Towers](/source/The_Two_Towers)*. *[The Lord of the Rings](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)*. Boston: [Houghton Mifflin](/source/Houghton_Mifflin). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1042159111](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1042159111).

- [Tolkien, J. R. R.](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien) (1977). [Christopher Tolkien](/source/Christopher_Tolkien) (ed.). *[The Silmarillion](/source/The_Silmarillion)*. Boston: [Houghton Mifflin](/source/Houghton_Mifflin). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-395-25730-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-395-25730-2).

- [Tolkien, J. R. R.](/source/J._R._R._Tolkien) (1980). [Christopher Tolkien](/source/Christopher_Tolkien) (ed.). *[Unfinished Tales](/source/Unfinished_Tales)*. Boston: [Houghton Mifflin](/source/Houghton_Mifflin). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-395-29917-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-395-29917-3).

Authority control databases Open Library

v t e Middle-earth J. R. R. Tolkien Bibliography Canon Legendarium Outline Works In Tolkien's lifetime The Hobbit (1937) The Lord of the Rings (1954–55) The Fellowship of the Ring "The Shadow of the Past" "The Council of Elrond" The Two Towers The Return of the King "The Scouring of the Shire" "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (1962) Posthumous The Silmarillion (1977) "Ainulindalë" Unfinished Tales (1980) The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (1981) Bilbo's Last Song (1990) The three "Great Tales" The Children of Húrin (2007) Beren and Lúthien (2017) The Fall of Gondolin (2018) The Fall of Númenor (2022) History of composition History of Middle-earth [1–2] The Book of Lost Tales (1983–84) Ælfwine [3] The Lays of Beleriand (1985) [4] The Shaping of Middle-earth (1986) [5] The Lost Road and Other Writings (1987) The Etymologies Lhammas [6–9] The History of The Lord of the Rings (1988–1992) The Notion Club Papers [10] Morgoth's Ring (1993) [11] The War of the Jewels (1994) [12] The Peoples of Middle-earth (1996) Others John D. Rateliff The History of The Hobbit (2007) Carl F. Hostetter The Nature of Middle-earth (2021) Fictional universe Peoples, monsters Ainur Maiar Balrogs Wizards Valar Dragons Ancalagon Smaug Dwarves Eagles Elves Half-elven Noldor Sundering Ents Hobbits Men Beornings Drúedain Dúnedain Orcs Trolls Characters First and Second Ages Celebrimbor Eärendil and Elwing Elendil Fëanor Fingolfin Finwë and Míriel Gil-galad Húrin Isildur Lúthien and Beren Melian Morgoth Thingol Tuor and Idril Túrin Turambar Ungoliant Third Age Elrond Galadriel Gandalf Glorfindel Goldberry Gollum Saruman Sauron Tom Bombadil Places First and Second Ages Beleriand Númenor Valinor Third Age Bree Esgaroth Gondor Harad Isengard Lonely Mountain Lothlórien Mirkwood Mordor Moria Rivendell Rohan The Shire Bag End Objects Mithril Palantír Red Book of Westmarch Rings of Power One Ring Silmarils Two Trees of Valinor List of weapons and armour Analysis Elements Artwork Family trees Heraldry Languages Adûnaic Black Speech Elvish Quenya Sindarin Khuzdul Valarin Westron Maps Tolkien's poetry Scripts Cirth Sarati Tengwar Themes Anachronism Ancestry as guide to character Architecture Christianity Cosmology Round World dilemma Death and immortality Decline and fall Dreams and visions Economy England Environmentalism Evil First World War Forests Frame stories Hell Heroism Light Luck and fate Magic Mental illness Modernism Moral dilemma Music Naming of weapons Northern courage Old Straight Road Paganism Plants Psychological journeys Quests Sound and language Time Trees Literary Tolkien's impact on fantasy Influences Beowulf Celtic Classical world Finnish language and literature Medieval Modern William Morris Norse Philology Shakespeare Prose style Ambiguity A mythology for England Geographic Geology The Atlas of Middle-earth Journeys of Frodo A Map of Middle-earth Adaptations, legacy Illustrators Pauline Baynes Cor Blok Anke Eißmann Brothers Hildebrandt Jenny Dolfen Mary Fairburn Donato Giancola John Howe Tove Jansson Alexander Korotich Alan Lee Tom Loback Margrethe II of Denmark Ted Nasmith Composers Bo Hansson Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings Leonard Rosenman Music of The Lord of the Rings, 1978 Johan de Meij Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings Howard Shore Music of The Lord of the Rings film series Music of The Hobbit film series Music of The Rings of Power TV series Bear McCreary Music of The Rings of Power TV series Stephen Gallagher Music of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Blind Guardian Nightfall in Middle-Earth Settings Donald Swann The Road Goes Ever On Poems and Songs of Middle Earth The Tolkien Ensemble An Evening in Rivendell A Night in Rivendell At Dawn in Rivendell Leaving Rivendell Other media Impact Middle-earth Enterprises Works inspired by Tolkien Fan fiction Film Calendars Video games Things named after Tolkien and his works Literary criticism The Complete Guide to Middle-earth A Companion to J. R. R. Tolkien Interrupted Music Master of Middle-Earth Picturing Tolkien A Question of Time J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century The J. R. R. Tolkien Companion and Guide J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion Perilous Realms The Road to Middle-Earth Splintered Light Tolkien and the Invention of Myth Tolkien's Art: 'A Mythology for England' Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings A Tolkien Compass Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth Tolkien, Race and Cultural History Tolkien's Legendarium Tolkien and the Great War The Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Complete Guide to Middle-earth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Guide_to_Middle-earth) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Complete_Guide_to_Middle-earth?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.