The Magical Worlds of the Lord of the Rings: An Unauthorised Guide - A Treasury of Myths, Legends and Fascinating Facts [Paperback]

Colbert does a fairly good job of giving us insights into the myths (Norse legends), literature ("Beowulf," the book "Babbitt," Shakespeare's influence on faeries and elves), religion (the source of Galadriel: Mary, mother of Jesus), and Tolkien's own opinions at the time (industrialization destroying the beautiful countryside where he grew up).

Colbert makes some rather obvious errors (usually linked with the "Silmarillion" rather than "Lord of the Rings"), but nothing too awful. Overall he does a pretty good job of addressing common questions like "How Many Languages Did Tolkien Invent?", "Who Was Tolkien's First Dark Lord?" or "How Did Orcs Get So Ugly?". He writes breezily and conversationally, as if addressing a bunch of listeners.

Does "Magical Worlds" stand above other Tolkien guides? Nah. It's a pretty good guide for entry-level fans, but long-time fans will already know much of this material. However, fans who are new to Middle-Earth and who don't know a lot of the background will probably find this invaluable. If you have only seen the movies, or are only just tackling the books, this is a good place to start answering your questions.

"Magical Worlds of Lord of the Rings" is a pretty solid beginner's guide to "Lord of the Rings" and its background material. New to Middle-Earth? Then you may just find your answers here.

Certainly there can be different interpretations of works, but Colbert seems to have had misconceptions about both the Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. I found that most of the time he knows what he's talking about and is learned in the books, but I also find that he doesn't understand some of the things Tokien wrote. For example, Colbert says that humans were given Numenor as a reward for helping the Elves. It is quite clear in The Silmarillion that waht Colbert states isn't exactly what occurs. It was, yes, a land given to Men by the Valar, to not just any humans, but the Edain. These are not just Men, they have Elven blood in them. This is the place of the Edain, distinct from ordinary men of Middle-Earth. Colbert fails to make this distinction. Also, in Colbert's chapter on religion in The Lord of the Rings, he calls the Valar "angelic spirits." Indeed that they may be, but to the Elves these are like gods with Iluvatar being the supreme god and creator of the universe. Colbert states that Hobbits do not belive in gods, but when Frodo is stabbed by the morgul blade of the witch-king at Amon-Sul (Weather-Top), he screams out "O Elbereth! Githoniel!" which are in reference to the Valar. I found other discrepancies, but I will spare them for the sake of time.

Again, Colbert wrote this book for any one to read within a matter of hours ( I read it in 2) and wrote its very clearly. He does, however, fail to remain true to some of the facts in the history of Middle-Earth. Some elemtents are also not developed for the reader, whether having read Tolkien or not, to understand.