Middle-Earth in Magic Mirror Maps

Steve Ponty

ISBN 10: 1780885423 / ISBN 13: 9781780885421

Published by Matador, Beauchamp, Leics, UK, 2014

About this Item

First printing. Well bound in black cloth boards with gilt titling to spine. Spine ends and corners are all fine. Text pages are all clean with no markings or inscriptions. Dust jacket is unclipped and in excellent condition. Inscribed by author on title page. Dispatched same or next working day, in protective packaging. Seller Inventory # 014424

Bibliographic Details

Title: Middle-Earth in Magic Mirror Maps

Publisher: Matador, Beauchamp, Leics, UK

Publication Date: 2014

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

This work is a fresh look at the Maps of the Wilderland in The Hobbit, leading to the discovery that Professor Tolkien drew the imaginary maps from the Map of Wales back to front, or in reverse. The maps of the Shire in The Lord of The Rings are drawn likewise, of England. '"They are on their way to visit the land of their fathers, away east beyond Mirkwood," put in Gandalf...' Gandalf's talk of the 'land of their fathers' is, by translation of its national anthem, Professor J.R.R. Tolkien's hidden clue to the geography of Wales, which we learn the Professor loved, including its language. The focal point of The Hobbit, the Lonely Mountain, is identified as Cadair Idris of North-West Wales. Many of the topographical features of the Mountain coincide. The volcano-mouth Lake of the Lonely Mountain so resembles Llyn Cau of Cadair Idris. The marvel is that the lake has been overlooked so long: not only by Smaug the Dragon, but also by most commentators on The Hobbit. Which reader remembers there is a lake at all?Stephen interprets many of the allusions borrowed by Tolkien in his fantastic tale, including Beorn at the Carrock, the herons of Wales at Lake Town, and dragon fire at the Withered Heath. The work is divided into nine parts, with three site groupings. His unique focus on Tolkien's map-making methodology will make his book relevant not only to Tolkien fans worldwide, but those interested in geography too.

About the Author:

Stephen Ponty was born in Wales. He studied Latin and French literature and poetry for entry to Cambridge University in use of English, leading to a Law Degree and legal experience in London. He worked abroad for a while, then returned to England in 2003, where he researched the topography of Worcestershire, Oxforshire and Gloucestershire. He discovered J.R.R.Tolkien's 'The Shire' using by close map comparison; he had previously discovered 'The Wilderland' of The Hobbit in Wales.