The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time Kindle Edition by Robert Jordan and, Teresa Patterson (Tor Books

This is a great reference or companion book to Jordan's epic series. It is written well and blends to be a lot like an encyclopedia of the history for the world of these books, including past and present events, characters, maps, political evolutions of the realms, etc. A very valuable reference to the experience, such as looking up the cast of characters; listing The Forsaken or the heroes, and their biographies for example. I am very happy to have this book, especially in hardback. Having good maps alone was worth buying the book.

An important warning: much like a "spoiler alert", I must say that reading this book along with (simultaneously) the beginning books of the series will certainly spoil the unfolding of the storyline. For myself, I read the first two books and had a desire to look more closely at the maps and have a nice reference to high-quality maps while reading. I acquired the reference while still in book three, and began reading the history of events and people, such as the Aes Sedai, and learned information that had not occurred yet (in my progress through the series). When a reader learns ahead of time "the whodunits" such as when people die, who kills them, who takes their place, etc. it is definitely a spoiler. I am not even halfway through the entire series, but have learned to be careful in that way. Some information I learned too early made me feel like some things were ruined for me. In that way it is less of a companion book and more of an encyclopedia. I know I will enjoy reading parts of it as I go, but will likely enjoy it more as I wish to remember and refer back.

That warning is the only negative aspect I might offer. Aside from wishing some of the character portraits were more realistic (artwork) I have nothing but a positive recommendation at this time.