The World of Ice and Fire

Author: George R. R. Martin

For those who might have trouble keeping track of all the little details in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, this book will either clarify everything or make you more confused than ever.

Martin covers the history of Westeros, from the time when it was inhabited by giants and the children of the forest, to the toppling of the Targaryen dynasty and the rule of Robert Baratheon. Also included are histories of other lands, like Valyria, which appears to be this series’ version of Pompeii.

Longtime readers of Martin’s books will likely have many theories about characters’ origins or what may have happened before the books begin, and this volume adds some fuel to that fire. Of course, it raises just as many questions as it sort of answers, but Martin is keeping readers interested as they wait –and wait– for the next installment in the series.

In addition to enriching our knowledge of Westerosi history, this book is visually engaging. Martin’s is a medieval-ish world, and this book resembles a medieval manuscript. During that time, books were works of art. Illuminated manuscripts are some of the most beautiful creations we still have from the Middle Ages. This book is created in that same spirit. There are portraits of famous Westerosi rulers, landscapes, and family histories. There are also gorgeous illustrations of the estates of great houses.

There are very few current things that I can appreciate as an avid reader and a medievalist, so this book has been a delight.

My one word of caution to readers: size.

This book is huge. This isn’t something you will want to read while sitting on a beach, just because it is rather heavy. Unless you’re me and you don’t mind lugging something like that around. It’s going to be difficult to place this thing on a book shelf, but take it from me when I tell you that the effort is worth it.