[Mithalwen]

While it is a wonderful source as far as information goes, I wouldn't glass HoME as a guide. I found the Foster (and the similer Tyler) invaluable while I got my head round the many similar names that crop up in the Silmarillion - but unless it has been updated they don't cover later published work. However the later stuff is annotated by Christopher Tolkien who is as good as it is going to get as a guide is concerned! However, I did buy the Hammond/ Scull Reader's companion to the Lord of the Rings and find it useful - it is particularly good if you don't already have the Letters etc.

Barbara Strachey's journeys of Frodo is extremely thorough and particularly helpful for the later parts of LOTR where so many paths diverge.