The Desolation of Smaug Visual Companion - The Hobbit

It is not comprehesive enough in terms of characters coverage. No information about the war between the dwarves and the dragon, no information about the war between the dwarves and the Orcs. I personally do not think it is a visual companion which cannot leave the readers especially those who have watched the film a positive impression. If you compare the similar essential visual guide published by DK for other films and other stories, DK is much much better. I hope the publisher of The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey Visual Companion can learn something from DK.

Gives and overview of most of the characters featured in the upcomng movie but not a lot of depth. I wouldve loved ti have read about the origins of Smaug and origins of the human heros of the Hobbit as well.

This book is a nice tie-in to the first movie based on The Hobbit. A few points I would note after going through the book:

1. This book is mostly about the movie still images and not so much about the written content. The images themselves are very nice, but be aware of the size of the book (about 11" X 9"). This is not a coffee table book, but the images are presented nicely for the size allotted.
2. The content focuses on information about the characters and places of the movie. This is not a "behind the scenes", or "making of" kind of book.
3. For me, the star of this whole package is the included fold-out map. It is done in the art style originated by J.R.R Tolkien, and continued throughout the Lord of the Rings movie.
4. The enjoyment I got out of this was getting a peek of how the movies will be adapting the characters and places from the book. If you're anticipating the movie as much as I am, it's a great little printed preview.

I wanted to see how Peter Jackson would portray Thorin & Company. When I finally see the film on the big screen, I want to enjoy the story and the action--not sitting in the dark, trying to figure out who's who among the thirteen dwarves.

This is where the Visual Companion comes in. It's a coffee table type of book that I read in about an hour (and I'm a slow reader). It's lavishly illustrated with movie stills and a fold-out map. Also included, are several pages of biographical sketches for all the important characters, along with a plot synopsis and descriptions of some of the good, bad and ugly creatures of Middle Earth.

The other two reviewers call this a "promo book" for the upcoming movie. I'm inclined to agree with them, because promotional aspect of the book definitely worked it's magic on me. I'm even more excited to see the film than I was prior to reading it.

True, there are more detailed works like The Tolkien Companion and The Atlas Middle Earth. But neither of these fine books will give you the visual references you may need, when you see the film for the first time, or even the eleventy-eleventh time.

Almost six years after its first release, the “Hobbit” trilogy by Peter Jackson has a bit of a mixed reputation. It simply isn’t the classic that the “Lord of the Rings” films are and there are major flaws. Despite that, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Visual Companion” by Jude Fisher is a valuable book with great photos and interesting segments, especially when the focus is on the dwarves and their back stories. That was a problem in the movies--there simply were too many characters and it was hard to get invested in some of them--but the book offers some insights. After more than a half decade, the book sheds some light on what Jackson and his team were trying to do--even if they didn’t quite live up to the mark.

Almost six years after its first release, the “Hobbit” trilogy by Peter Jackson has a bit of a mixed reputation. It simply isn’t the classic that the “Lord of the Rings” films are and there are major flaws. Despite that, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Visual Companion” by Jude Fisher is a valuable book with great photos and interesting segments, especially when the focus is on the dwarves and their back stories. That was a problem in the movies--there simply were too many characters and it was hard to get invested in some of them--but the book offers some insights. After more than a half decade, the book sheds some light on what Jackson and his team were trying to do--even if they didn’t quite live up to the mark.

Almost six years after its first release, the “Hobbit” trilogy by Peter Jackson has a bit of a mixed reputation. It simply isn’t the classic that the “Lord of the Rings” films are and there are major flaws. Despite that, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Visual Companion” by Jude Fisher is a valuable book with great photos and interesting segments, especially when the focus is on the dwarves and their back stories. That was a problem in the movies--there simply were too many characters and it was hard to get invested in some of them--but the book offers some insights. After more than a half decade, the book sheds some light on what Jackson and his team were trying to do--even if they didn’t quite live up to the mark.

The costuming in this book is just wonderful.

I recently read "The Hobbit" again to my children -- we read it about every third year -- and this time, I was able to show them some of the characters in this book. Wonderful! Especially the hairstyles of the dwarves, and handsome Thorin. It's a new look for Thorin, eh? Reading this book, I see that the movie gave the dwarves more personality than they really needed, but how else are you going to turn the Hobbit into a triple feature?

Our versions of the Hobbit are these:

The Hobbit (Illustrated Edition) -- illustrations by Alan Lee!
THE HOBBIT--AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION -- visuals based on the 70's illustrated movie -- nostalgia.

This official companion to the film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" offers one an unforgettable illustrated glimpse into the fascinating peoples and places of Middle-Earth, as seen on the big screen. Author Jude Fisher is also creator of the film guides for the Lord of the Rings (the fellowship of the ring, the two towers and the return of the king), which enhance the movie experience by taking you to the heart of Peter Jackson's creation. Join the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard and the company of Dwarves on their quest to recover treasure stolen by Smaug the Dragon. Leaving the comfort of Bilbo's home they must face many perils before they can claim their long-lost gold - Trolls, Elves, Goblins, Wargs and worse...like the white Orc.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey visual companion offers readers extensive information and exclusive insights into the world of Bilbo and his friends including:
* How the members of the company of Thorin Oakenshield are related, and who has greatest reason to hate the Orcs
* Whether the Elves of Rivendell, and their Lord Elrond, will provide safe harbor to the Dwarves in their time of need
* Why the Goblins of the Misty Mountains have become hideously deformed, and who is the monstrous King that rules over them
*Who is the eccentric Wizard Radagast and what dark peril has he discovered in the forest of Mirkwood?
* Plus, a brand new map from the film charting the journey of the company from the Shire to Wilderland.

This richly illustrated, hardback volume with more than 100 full-color photographs from the film begins the quest for the Lonely Mountain in spectacular style. Despite feeling passionately that this book is a brilliant read and an essential purchase, I do feel that it is somewhat overpriced for the size of the book and contents. (Priced at an expensive £12.99 UK for a slim 79 page book). The writing is informative and illuminating, adding to one's personal experience with the fantastic film and also JRR Tolkien's novel. This together with such stunning photographs makes this a real treat and something which all Hobbit and Tolkien fans alike will love to have on their bookshelves, and is a great edition to any collection. I have rated this 4.5 stars only because of the cost - as I purchased my own copy secondhand.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the Visual companion to the movie. Inside this book Jude Fisher takes a closer look at the main characters in this movie. He gives background information on each character that's insightful. Fisher also delves into the quest that Bilbo embarks on and addresses some of the foes that the company has to face. If you've read the The Hobbit, nothing in this book will really surprise you. However it's worth getting just for the beautiful photographs. I really wish I could show you some of the images. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I can't wait. I'm a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, and I know this movie will be just as fantastic.

I loved this movie. A great start to a new trilogy. I didn't find it too long as some have said. In fact I was sorry when it ended.

Great performances as usual from Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis, reprising their roles as Gandalf and Gollum. As for the new characters, I am a huge fan of Richard Armitage so was so pleased to see him in his first big film role as Thorin. It was a wonderful restrained and kingly performance. He conveyed so much emotion through his eyes. He was mesmerizing in every scene he was in. Finally Martin Freeman was just adorable as Bilbo. Great comic timing. I can't wait for the next film to find out what happens next.

I'm only sorry there were no extras on the DVD. I must buy Blu Ray next time.

This is a small coffee table- photo book that tells you about hobbits, dwarves, goblins, orcs and all the other creatures of Middle-earth. There are also pages on the main characters, their personal history and the settings. The photos are lovely and clear as is a fold out map of middle-earth.

The background of the story is covered, but not the end. The reader is just told the quest continues.
This is a nice book for fans of the Hobbit, both the story and the movie.

Look inside the book before you buy. This consists of 85 pages of full-page photographs from the movie, with a summary of the story. It is neither fish nor fowl. If you want to read the story, read "The Hobbit." If you want to look at pictures from the movie, look for a book like "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Chronicles: Art & Design" that's three times as long. Or just watch the movie. All would be far more enjoyable.

I honestly was adverse to buying this when I read other reviews. Then I happened upon the book in a store where I could actually look at the pages. Bought it immediately. This has by far some of the BEST pictures I've seen in any of the visual books. Most of these pictures either aren't included in other books or are shrunk to half the size in other publishings. Get. This. Book!

Love this book! I was impressed by the amount of Detail was put into the character description. The big full color images were a bonus too. And a cool forward by Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) was also a plus. For fans of the movie and for fans of the book I think you will enjoy this book. My Only disappointment was how some description's of the character's and places seemed kinda rushed but most of them failed to disappoint me. In the end I say this book is worth the money and I hope Jude Fisher makes a book for each movie in the hobbit trilogy.

I personally love the Hobbit, and you should to! He is really cute. And the book is really good. Have you sen the new hobbit movie? because i highly recomend you watch all of the hobbit movies. Only if you like people chopping heads off and gigantic spiders. Also wierd looking monsters.

The movie the Hobbit is gross, scary and
confusing. I gave 2 stars, cause it was a little bit adventurous at the beginning. but later in the movie scary, next confusing then gross. I don't recommend this movie to kids who don't like: scary, gross and confusing movies. the charters that I don't like are: the gross ogre, the gollum (the scary elf) and the confusing wizard guy. I did like the bright colors, the beautiful forest, the humble home of the hobbit, and the peaceful city. until... the gollum and the wizard come in and ruin everything. my unfavorite part is the goblin king, and gollum its freaky i choose you not to watch this movie. warning: only watch this movie if you like freaky confusing scary gross movie