Atlases and maps

Elvet · 03-03-2002, 12:40 PM

I've done a little search to see if this thread was done previously and I didn't find this query:
Do any of you use a map source when you read the books?
I have just used what was in the books themselves, but I bought Karen Wynn Fonstad's revised Atlas of Middle-earth and found that the detailed maps and battles help illuminate much of the text of the Silmarillion.
This atlas was mentioned in some threads, but there was some comments regarding inaccuracies. Are there other better sources for geographical info?

Arathorn · 03-03-2002, 01:00 PM

I used to have copies of maps done by people on the net posted on my Athlon's wallpaper. while I'm reading the books; one map at a time, of course.

After a while they're already stuck in my mind that I can take the book anywhere.

Evenstar · 03-04-2002, 01:42 AM

I used the maps in the back of the LotR books!!! I thought they were useful!!! Did I answer this right??

Findegil · 03-04-2002, 07:50 AM

As jet I hadn't find anything better than Karen Wynn Fonstad. Of course some decisions can be doubted and in some points you would wish for more information of the sources and arguments for the drawn maps. But I can't imagine how this could be other wise with a commercial bock that you hadn't published your self.

Regrads
Findegil

Earenya · 03-04-2002, 01:37 PM

I found the maps very very helpful to get one's bearings in the beginning of the stories...

Amandil · 03-04-2002, 06:07 PM

For following along with the books, I find Barbara Strachey's "Journeys of Frodo" a lot better than KWF's Atlas.

emplynx · 03-04-2002, 06:10 PM

I like to use maps to see where the people are in realation to other things. Also, so I can visualize the surroundings...

Pailan · 04-20-2002, 01:46 PM

So what's eveyone's favourite ME map? Who drew/published it? I am looking for the most comprehensive set out there as big as possible, holding as much detail as possible, too.

I have in my mind a map with overlays showing ME in the First Age, then you peel it back to reveal ME in the second and so on. Sort of like clear pages that would allow one to see the whole of ME at a glance. Dates with battle sites would be on it as well. I suspect that such a map does not exist - yet.

But if you fine mooters would hip me to some good maps (outside of the LotR ones) I would really appreciate it.

Wayfarer · 04-20-2002, 02:24 PM

My favorite maps are undoubtedly the JRR/CJRT maps that come with the books.

Ërendil · 04-20-2002, 04:23 PM

Yeah same here.

Pailan · 04-23-2002, 04:41 PM

Yes Ërendil and Wayfarer, I agree but I have seen some maps that are bigger and hold more info. I am looking to see what fine maps other mooters may posses or are looking for. Like I said my ideal map would be some sort of ovelapping deal with the changes of each age represented. I doubt anything like this exists but it sure would be good project for a budding cartographer with a Tolkien problem.

Elvet · 04-23-2002, 07:26 PM

Pailin, take a look at Karen Wynn's book next time you are in a bookstore. She doesn't have overlapping maps, but there are representations of all the land masses from the beginning (Ea) and the text explains any irregularities. She also has the battles mapped out by participants and timelines. The book maps are ok, but I find them hard to read, all the important stuff is always in the fold area.

barrelrider110 · 04-26-2002, 01:59 PM

I concur wholeheartedly with Elvet. I'm a map junkie. I could stare at a map for hours. The maps in the books are charming, but very limited. There's just not emough detail.

Pailan · 04-26-2002, 04:04 PM

Thanks Elvet, and Barrelrider110, I'll be sure to take a look. Seems like there is a real need (to my mind anyhow) for some large quality maps. Have either of you seen the e-map at the official movie site? There's some promise with that one.

Elvet · 04-26-2002, 08:48 PM

I found the official site map interesting, but again fairly small and certainly inconvenient for referral to when reading in the garden!
Karen Wynn's book has not only the maps through the ages, but also diagrams of towns and cities - including Bree, Moria, even Gondolin from the Sil. If you are a map person, Barrelrider, I would say this book is a must.
There was a really good web site - lotrmaps.cjb.net - but it is down due to server problems. I have since tried to find something comparable without any success.

Pailan · 04-27-2002, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elvet
I found the official site map interesting, but again fairly small and certainly inconvenient for referral to when reading in the garden!

Too true! I enjoy the "zoom in" feature which reveals more detail with each click. And it doesn't become all pixelated! So some kudo's are due to the web designers there. I will search for Wynn's book this weekend as time allows. In the mean while, my search continues.

03-03-2002, 12:40 PM	#1
Elvet Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orillia, Ontario Posts: 221	Atlases and maps I've done a little search to see if this thread was done previously and I didn't find this query: Do any of you use a map source when you read the books? I have just used what was in the books themselves, but I bought Karen Wynn Fonstad's revised Atlas of Middle-earth and found that the detailed maps and battles help illuminate much of the text of the Silmarillion. This atlas was mentioned in some threads, but there was some comments regarding inaccuracies. Are there other better sources for geographical info? __________________ "But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know."

03-03-2002, 01:00 PM	#2
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	I used to have copies of maps done by people on the net posted on my Athlon's wallpaper. while I'm reading the books; one map at a time, of course. After a while they're already stuck in my mind that I can take the book anywhere. __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

03-04-2002, 01:42 AM	#3
Evenstar Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Neverneverland Posts: 215	I used the maps in the back of the LotR books!!! I thought they were useful!!! Did I answer this right?? __________________ "Frodo, Mr Frodo," he called. "Don't leave me here alone. It's your Sam calling. Don't you go where I can't follow." FRODO LIVES !!!!

03-04-2002, 01:37 PM	#5
Earenya Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pinnath Gelin, formerly in Angaron... Posts: 228	I found the maps very very helpful to get one's bearings in the beginning of the stories... __________________ O mor henion i dhu Ely siriar, el sila Ai! Aniron.... Tiro! El eria e mor I 'lir en el luitha 'uren Ai! Aniron... FRODO LIVES!

03-04-2002, 06:07 PM	#6
Amandil Guy-who-should-come-here-more-often Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Alberta, in spirit -- Vlaanderen, in body (Canada? Never heard of it!) Posts: 120	For following along with the books, I find Barbara Strachey's "Journeys of Frodo" a lot better than KWF's Atlas. __________________ Amandil Mithadan "Why would you want to tamper with anything Tolkien did?" --Ralph Bashki "Seeking self, I find nothing but myself, but in this I drink the cup of gall I really am. I want everything, and I may have everything, but I have nothing except what I have. What I have I know is not what will fulfill me, and I know this in the bitterness of satisfied desire. Everything I have is still not enough, and in getting everything I have, I have not myself, indeed what I have may have twisted what I am and might be into an image of my own possessions. I will to possess, but I end up possessed by what I possess." -- William Desmond (Ethics and the Between, p. 209-210)

03-04-2002, 07:50 AM	#4
Findegil Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany Posts: 192	As jet I hadn't find anything better than Karen Wynn Fonstad. Of course some decisions can be doubted and in some points you would wish for more information of the sources and arguments for the drawn maps. But I can't imagine how this could be other wise with a commercial bock that you hadn't published your self. Regrads Findegil

03-04-2002, 06:10 PM	#7
emplynx Self-Appointed Lord of the Free Peoples of the General Messages Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,214	I like to use maps to see where the people are in realation to other things. Also, so I can visualize the surroundings...

04-20-2002, 01:46 PM	#8
Pailan Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: aisle 12, seat#2 Posts: 449	Your Favorite ME Map? So what's eveyone's favourite ME map? Who drew/published it? I am looking for the most comprehensive set out there as big as possible, holding as much detail as possible, too. I have in my mind a map with overlays showing ME in the First Age, then you peel it back to reveal ME in the second and so on. Sort of like clear pages that would allow one to see the whole of ME at a glance. Dates with battle sites would be on it as well. I suspect that such a map does not exist - yet. But if you fine mooters would hip me to some good maps (outside of the LotR ones) I would really appreciate it. __________________ "Holy Entmoot, Batman!" "Who knows, Robin? This strange mixing of minds may be the greatest single sevice ever performed for humanity! Let's go, but, inconspicuosly, through the window. We'll use our Batropes. Our job is finished." Oh, btw, Frodo lives. Last edited by Pailan : 04-20-2002 at 01:50 PM.

04-20-2002, 02:24 PM	#9
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	My favorite maps are undoubtedly the JRR/CJRT maps that come with the books. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

04-20-2002, 04:23 PM	#10
Ërendil Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 389	Yeah same here. __________________ "You're one of the Abaharaki, oh I had forgotten. Look at me, I am completly drenched! I do hate the rain, it makes me so depressed..." "Hehehehe, moeru moeru!" "That's it, set it all on fire; we're gonna smoke out Escaflowne!" "Oh, I hit the wrong target... never mind that creature was useless to us anyway. Our orders were to get the girl? So he isn't our concern, we don't need him!" ^_^ Isn't Dilandau just fantastic? You just have to love the insane, murderous pyro :-D

04-23-2002, 04:41 PM	#11
Pailan Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: aisle 12, seat#2 Posts: 449	Yes Ërendil and Wayfarer, I agree but I have seen some maps that are bigger and hold more info. I am looking to see what fine maps other mooters may posses or are looking for. Like I said my ideal map would be some sort of ovelapping deal with the changes of each age represented. I doubt anything like this exists but it sure would be good project for a budding cartographer with a Tolkien problem. __________________ "Holy Entmoot, Batman!" "Who knows, Robin? This strange mixing of minds may be the greatest single sevice ever performed for humanity! Let's go, but, inconspicuosly, through the window. We'll use our Batropes. Our job is finished." Oh, btw, Frodo lives.

04-23-2002, 07:26 PM	#12
Elvet Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orillia, Ontario Posts: 221	Pailin, take a look at Karen Wynn's book next time you are in a bookstore. She doesn't have overlapping maps, but there are representations of all the land masses from the beginning (Ea) and the text explains any irregularities. She also has the battles mapped out by participants and timelines. The book maps are ok, but I find them hard to read, all the important stuff is always in the fold area. __________________ "But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know."

04-26-2002, 01:59 PM	#13
barrelrider110 Peer of the realm of Sanguine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Hill, Marlton, NJ Posts: 798	I concur wholeheartedly with Elvet. I'm a map junkie. I could stare at a map for hours. The maps in the books are charming, but very limited. There's just not emough detail. __________________ “"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," Fear Complacency! ___________________ Something under the bed is drooling

04-26-2002, 04:04 PM	#14
Pailan Elven Warrior Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: aisle 12, seat#2 Posts: 449	Thanks Elvet, and Barrelrider110, I'll be sure to take a look. Seems like there is a real need (to my mind anyhow) for some large quality maps. Have either of you seen the e-map at the official movie site? There's some promise with that one. __________________ "Holy Entmoot, Batman!" "Who knows, Robin? This strange mixing of minds may be the greatest single sevice ever performed for humanity! Let's go, but, inconspicuosly, through the window. We'll use our Batropes. Our job is finished." Oh, btw, Frodo lives.

04-26-2002, 08:48 PM	#15
Elvet Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orillia, Ontario Posts: 221	I found the official site map interesting, but again fairly small and certainly inconvenient for referral to when reading in the garden! Karen Wynn's book has not only the maps through the ages, but also diagrams of towns and cities - including Bree, Moria, even Gondolin from the Sil. If you are a map person, Barrelrider, I would say this book is a must. There was a really good web site - lotrmaps.cjb.net - but it is down due to server problems. I have since tried to find something comparable without any success. __________________ "But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know."