Delve into Middle-earth, decipher the Dwarves’ alphabet and more, with this indispensable and comprehensive guide to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

This wide-ranging encyclopedia covers all the characters, places, and objects included in the seminal book that first introduced the world of Middle-earth, highlighting the legendary sources from which Tolkien took inspiration.

With rich illustrations of action scenes and characters, this encyclopedia has in-depth entries on such subjects as:
 

• The Arkenstone
• Azog and Bolg
• Dragons
• Elvish
• Faërie
• Girion
• Lake-town
• Pipes and pipe-weed
• The Quest of Erebor
• Wasterlands

The prequel to The Lord of the Rings (1954), The Hobbit (1937) is an extraordinarily rich work that first introduced us to the world of Middle-earth, and sets up the fantasy world that would be built upon at greater length in Tolkien’s later books. Peter Jackson's trilogy of films based on this single work has helped to create a whole new generation of Tolkien fans.

This is the quintessential read for any Tolkien fan, young or old. It also acts as a base reference for those who have newly stepped into Tolkien’s world. With a Middle-earth-age period style, this visually appealing guide can be leafed through by topic or read cover to cover.

Damien Bador and Vivien Stocker are both managers of the Tolkiendil Association for the promotion of Tolkien’s literary work.

Dedication
Acknowledgements
Introduction 
Chronology
List of abbreviations
Characters 
Azog and Bolg, Baggins family, Balin,  Bard, Beorn, Bilbo Baggins 
Carc and Roäc, Dáin II Ironfoot, Elrond 
Galadriel, Gandalf, Girion, Gollum, Legolas, Line of Durin 
The Necromancer, Radagast, Saruman, Smaug 
Thorin and Company, Thorin II Oakenshield, Thráin II 
Thranduil, Thrór, Tom, Bert and William 
Took family, White Council 
Peoples and creatures 
Dragons, Dwarves, Eagles, Elves, Goblins 
Hobbits, Men, Spiders, Stone giants 
Trolls, Wargs, Wizards, Woodmen 
Languages and writing systems 
Elvish, Khuzdul, Old Norse, Runes , Tengwar 
Objects and constructions
The Arkenstone, Glamdring and Orcrist, Mithril, The One Ring 
Pipes and pipe-weed, The Red Book of Westmarch, Smials, Sting 
Places
Anduin, Arnor, Bag End, Bree, Dale 
Dol Guldur, Erebor, Gondolin, Lake-town
Middle-earth, Mirkwood, Misty Mountains, Rivendell 
The Shire, Wilderland
Notable events 
The Ages of Middle-earth, The Battle of the Five Armies, The Quest of Erebor 
The Sack of Doriath, The Sack of Erebor, The War of the Ring, War of the Dwarves and Goblins
Sources of inspiration 
Beowulf, Berserkers, Eddas, Eucatastrophe, Faërie, Riddles, Scandinavian sagas, The Sîdh, Sir Orfeo 
Songs, Sub-creation, Victorian literature, Wastelands 
Sources
Selective bibliography 
Index