Tolkien Related Resources

Here you'll find a useful list of links to other excellent Tolkien related sites. I've also includes links to a few non-Tolkien related sites on literature, fantasy, music, and mythology.

Happy surfing.

GENERAL TOLKIEN SITES

The Thain's Book is an excellent resource on Tolkien and Middle-earth, including an index of people, places, creatures, and things that appear in the novels.

A well-designed site with loads of great information on Tolkien and his works. Includes a sizable collection of Tolkien-related links.

A comprehensive site listing all of the British editions of Tolkien's writings, including a chronological illustrated bibliography. Well laid-out and full of information for the Tolkien collector.

A visually impressive site with lots of free screensavers, wallpapers, forums, Tolkien news updates, and many other things. Great site.

A beautifully designed site with an active forum for discussion, games, and role-playing.

THE HOBBIT MOVIE

The Hobbit Movie - This excellent site provides updates on the progress of The Hobbit Movie, as well as background information on The Hobbit, such as characters, places, and even a "Hobbit Rune Generator". Very cool.

The-Hobbit-Movie.com - This site offers simple, easy-to-read updates and breaking news on The Hobbit Movie.

TOLKIEN SCHOLARSHIP

Corey Olsen is a professor of English at Washington College who teaches college-level classes on Medieval Literature and JRR Tolkien. His website offers information and downloadable lectures on Tolkien and his writings.

Lingwë: Musings of a Fish - A blog maintained by Tolkien scholar Jason Fisher. His entries and opinions on Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and fantasy in general are always well-written, interesting, and thought-provoking. Definitely worth a visit.

TOLKIEN ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING

A fantastic online role-playing community set in Middle-earth. Includes some amazing user-created maps, hundreds of quests, and active forums. Check it out.

TOLKIEN ART

Ted Nasmith - A wonderful artist who really captures the natural beauty and grandeur of Middl-earth. Has done a number of Tolkien Calendars and book covers. Nearly all of his artwork can be found on his site.

Mystical Realms - Jef Murray is a renowned Tolkien artist whose distinctive oil paintings always put me in mind of sunset or dawn, when everything is vibrant and tinged with gold. His site also showcases some of his non Tolkien-related artwork with fairy tales, religious pieces, and mythological creatures.

Anke Eissmann - An exceptional new Tolkien artist whose watercolors do a beautiful job of capturing many of the "minor" moments in Tolkien's writing. Her artwork can be viewed at her site.

TOLKIEN MUSIC

Tolkien-Music.com - The most complete and exhaustive list of Tolkien-related music anywhere.

TOLKIEN BOOKSELLERS

Tolkien Online Bookstore - Visit our own Tolkien Online bookstore for a great selection of JRR Tolkien books, scholarship, fantasy, music, and much more.

Hobbit.ca has an interesting selection of rare, signed, and deluxe edition books for sale. The site also includes loads of useful information for Tolkien book collectors.

Withywindle Books - An independent online bookstore specializing in fantasy, sci-fi and horror books. Tolkien fans will note the store's reference to the river that flows through the Old Forest near the Shire. They have a wonderful selection of new, used, and collectable books by a wide host of authors.

FANTASY BOOK REVIEWS

A Dribble of Ink - A Dribble of Ink is one of the better fantasy-related blogs I've come across. It features some excellent book reviews, author interviews, and regular updates on the genre - from new releases to unexpected gems.

Fantasy Book Critic - A well-written blog chock-full of fantasy and sci-fi reviews, author interviews, and even occasional book giveaways. Well worth a visit.

Another Book Fantasy Reviews - A very well laid-out site offering a variety of detailed book reviews and information on the fantasy genre. Visitors can also add their own comments to the reviewed books.

Great Science Fiction & Fantasy - A large site offering critical reviews of Science Fiction and Fantasy's major authors and books. They really take a step back and evaluate the literary quality of writers that will outlast the "pulp" of the genres.

GENERAL FANTASY SITES

Sword Buyers Guide - A very informative site with loads of helpful information for sword buyers! Site includes a basic primer on purchasing quality blades and pages of tips and suggestions on numerous specialty swords. Check it out.

GENERAL MUSIC

Loreena McKennit's music is not Tolkien-related, but it is the type of music that would appeal immensely to most fans of Professor Tolkien's books. I have been a fan of her music for many years, and still get as giddy as a schoolboy when I hear (alas, too rarely) that she is releasing a new CD.

My words can't do justice to the beauty of her music. It is simply otherworldly. You'll just have to go to her site and check out some of the free samples.

More music not affiliated with Tolkien, but given a shameless plug nonetheless because I love it. Nightwatch Recording is a small recording label offering music by several musicians - Owain Phyfe, The New World Renaissance Band, Cantiga, and Stefano Pando.

These artists recreate the music of medieval troubadours in an amazing variety of languages. They usually travel the circuit of Renaissance Fairs throughout the country, playing their wonderful music (and they are fabulous musicians).

I make the trip to a nearby Renaissance fair every year simply to hear Owain Phyfe and company play. Check out the free downloadable samples (as well as a list of upcoming appearances) at their website.

check out the Tolkien swicki at eurekster.com