The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) Hardcover – October 28, 2014

The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones is an absolute must-read for any fan of the series! The depth of detail and world-building is phenomenal, offering a rich history of Westeros and its many houses. The illustrations and maps bring the story to life, making it feel even more immersive. It’s an incredible companion to the books and show, providing background and context to everything we love about the world of Game of Thrones. A fantastic read that enhances the lore and is perfect for fans who want to dive deeper into this epic universe!

This is a welcome addition to the A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO’s Game of Thrones fantasy series. This beautifully illustrated volume is a comprehensive history of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond. This book adds depth and richness to the entire ASOIAF universe and transports the reader there with detailed accounts of long ago tales which continue to reverberate throughout the World of Ice and Fire. A must have for any fan of the ASOIAF series.George R. R. Martin has meticulously crafted an original and complex world for his fantasy master piece, and this book is a wonderful exploration of that world. An absolutely fantastic addition to my library. One of the best fantasy reference / companion books that I've ever read. Extraordinary world building and lavish illustrations.In the realm of fiction it is not easy to create such a vivid and complex fictional history which is occupied by such original characters, political intrigue and storylines that could only take place within the context of this fully developed world. I was looking for a good book to read while I awaited George R. R. Martin's next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and I must say, I wasn't the slightest bit disappointed. This will tide me over until The Winds of Winter is released. Thank you George, Elio and Linda.Bottomline, this is a wonderful fantasy compendium that just pulls you in from the very first page. It's a history of the known world of the A Song of Ice and Fire saga as recorded by a Maester of the Citadel for King Tommen. Therefore, this tome is an in-world history textbook, limited in scope, accuracy and gaps in knowledge of their world and past critical events. This is not a complete history of the known world written from an omniscient point of view. The information contained in this tome is limited to what a Maester of the time might be able to research, therefore I understand why there are gaps in the historical narrative, which mirrors our own historical narrative in some parts of out past. The rice detail of the text and the lavish illustrations contribute greatly to the world building of the ASOIAF universe. The world building is so complete and detailed that you sometimes feel as if you are actually reading historical fiction, not a fantasy. What is fascinating and true to life is the way the characters shape the world around them but at the same time their world shapes them. Above all this is a great read which is sure to bring you hours of pure unadulterated escapism.I don't usually write reviews but I saw so many negative reviews stating GRRM didn't write or have any part in creating this book. I just want to point out that the blurb on Amazon states, "100% all-new material, more than half of which Martin wrote specifically for this book." If that's not enough to convince you, GRRM even confirmed this on his blog: "Ah . actually, it was with Elio and Linda, sure, but there are tens of thousands of my words in there this "not written by GRRM" is misinformation."I'm not terribly sure why some critics and reviewers are bashing the writing style or quality of this book. I love the way this book is written. It is what it's advertised to be, it Is a know algae of the day history book of the A Song of Ice and Fire universe and I absolutely love it. My Christmas came early this year with the release of this beautiful book.

World History 101 for "A Song of Ice and Fire".Yes, if such a college course exists, this would be the required textbook. This book is the written history of the known lands that are the settings for George R R Martin's epic "A Song of Ice and Fire" (ASOIAF). This is another must-have reference item for the ASOIAF scholar. While not a necessity, its contents can only serve to enrich the reading experience for you when "The Winds of Winter" comes out. The more back story you know, the more realistic and the more immersive the reading experience will become. Say you have read all of the books up to this point, including this one. And then the next novel comes out and you read it in the quiet comfort of your favorite room. All that back story can only help you immerse yourself in the story. In short, what I am saying is that these supplemental materials are not necessary to enjoy the main novels, however, spending time (and money) reading the back stories will definitely make the journey more engaging for you. Highly recommended.The history lesson starts at a time period of what is known as the Dawn Age. Primitive humans lived on the large continent of Essos. Westeros, at this time, did not have human populations. Rather, its inhabitants were human-like beings, the giants and the forest-dwelling Children. A very barbaric, primitive people called the First Men migrated to Westeros from Essos, crossing a narrow land bridge in what is now known as the Step Stones. Conflict with the Children followed, and lasted for thousands of years. At some point, the two sides worked out a deal for peace and they coexisted for many centuries. A more advanced people, the Andals followed, bringing weapons of iron with them. Meanwhile, in the East, the empire of Valyria slowly rises from the foot of fourteen active volcanoes. These people would later take technology, magic, science, and warfare to levels of sophistication that were previously unknown. One powerful Valyrian noble family, the Targaryens, survived the cataclysm that destroyed the great city and made their way to Westeros. Using the power of their mighty dragons, the Targaryens conquered Westeros and ended the perpetual wars between the kingdoms which comprised the continent. The Targaryens built great cities, and brought sophisticated knowledge with them from Valyria.The history then details the reign of some of the more notable Targaryen monarchs, ending with King Aerys II. Aerys is the father of Princess Daenerys, one of the main characters in the current story. Although, he was actually already dead by the time of her birth, Aerys is mentioned frequently in the novels. We also learn more about some of the other major characters in the story, particularly Ser Barristan, Lord Tywin, and Ned Stark.The lesson also takes us to lands that have not been discussed in the novels. We go East, to the Free Cities, all the way to Asshai. Yi Ti is given a reasonable amount of space. Volantis and Braavos are discussed in detail.Very interesting, and yet, the scholar needs to bear in mind that some of the material need to be treated with a healthy dose of doubt. In typical George Martin fashion, bias and other factors affect the history that was recorded.