I'm looking into finding more about the Lore surrounding The Elder Scrolls. And I need a good place to start.

I've been to The Imperial Library, and UESP. But both are (dare I say it) to Large. I need a starting point to begin my research. Rather then just starting with a random person or point in history.

Is there a certain book I should begin with? or maybe even a beginners guide?

A good bit of general knowledge:
http://www.imperial-library.info/pge/
http://www.imperial-library.info/pge3/
As good as anywhere to start, and a much more manageable size.

From there I guess you should choose something that sounds interesting and see what there is to know about it. A good search can dredge up some useful information, and if that doesn't work there's usually somebody around who wouldn't mind telling you what they know.

Agreed. For example, I first started looking at lore in things like the Dark Brotherhood and Morag Tong because I was making a mod. Then I had to research Akavir for an RP, same with the Daedric Princes, Argonians and Khajiit, and eventually the Allessian Rebellion. But yeah, just start somewhere interesting and keep picking new topics every time your done. Although, stay away from the harder stuff for a bit, unless you really want to. AKA The Creation of Mundus, CHIM, the Lessons of Vivec, or really obscure documents. Try things more easily read and digested, and the UESP and IL are amazing places to look. And if you have a question, just ask the forum ^^

Good Luck!

there are two very handy guides stickied at the top of this forum, they can be a nice basic start.

I've always used the UESP and still is and remains my main source for lore, I can't remember excatly how I started but I didn't really thought like... "heey lets read the thousands of pages on the UESP, i just looked at things that interested me back then for example the guild I joined back then....

Being a khajiit fan, I believe the best source for khajiit lore is UESP. Simply look up khajiit and you get a ton of in-game book sources.

the UESP is written by anyone, and often includes information that is outdated, inaccurate, or total fannon. its a great source for checking in game stuff, but in terms of lore first hand sources at TIL are your best bet.

Don't recommend UESP. That Wiki is still publicly edited, and despite the best efforts of the knowledgable there are any number of half-truths and fictions and unsourced materials to be found there.

Trying to use a wiki as a source during a report or an argument works best as a function test of Murphy's Law. You can go for weeks without spotting an error, but guaranteed as soon as you try to use it it'll be wrong.

The disappearance of the Dwemer is a good topic to research. Presuming you have Morrowind and therefore Yagrum Bagarn.

Everyone here hates on UESP all the time, but I like it. Though I don't find it particularly different from TIL.

The difference is that everyone can edit it....

I am certain no one on this forum would intentionally edit in something wrong, and seeing as how a good 70 percent of the users are also here, you have a good chance of getting the right info. Especially after that last update. But if you are really needing accurate stuff and cannot afford to be wrong, double check it on TIL or here.

I understand that some people edit without really knowing a terrible amount about the stuff, but please only edit if you are completely sure and prefferably a certified lore-buff. Thanks.

i strongly caution against thing. this is a very confusing topic, full of contradicting accounts and nothing is really ever made clear. in order to achieve any sort of understanding of what really happened you need to have at least a casual understanding of metaphysics, which is certainly not a topic for a beginning student.

If you haven't read the pocket guide, that is a good start.

I'd strongly advise using the stickies on this forum. It's really the best course of action.