How do I catch up?

[Scublacus_Venn]

So I've been playing D&D for about a year and a half now. I really want to know more about the Forgotten Realms so I've been looking for good sources. The thing is there is so much to know. Does anyone have any book or website recommendations for where I can learn some history or lore about the forgotten realms?

[BWR]

If you don't mind learning it piecemeal you have the FR wiki. Other than that, grab a core book or core setting boxed set from any edition except 4e and start reading. You're best off avoiding 4E's FR. While I'm sure it has its adherents and proponents, they did a lot of stuff to it that made more traditional fans and those of casual interest like myself a bit displeased with it.

[Gavran]

Of course, if you plan on playing 4th or 5th the default assumption would be to use the contemporaneous fluff, so... don't let edition warriors talk you into disregarding something applicable to your situation. I'd say the basic principle is quite sound though: pick whatever edition you like to play most and start with that setting book.

[Rallicus]

TOO much to know, if you ask me.

As suggested, the FR wiki is a good place to start. Look up a particular area and go from there.

There's also a slew of novels... I hear the Crystal shard trilogy is decent.

The video games are good too... BG will familiarize you with the sword coast and Amn, while NWN can help with... neverwinter... and later the sword coast, even waterdeep in the expansions.

[ufo]

This site is also really good and goes into incredible detail with some things: http://realmshelps.net/
It's a bit wonky to navigate though, but I generally find this more reliable, and use the Wiki when I can't find stuff on this site. Especially because the Wiki sometimes has no clear indication if the content is pre-4e or not.

[LibraryOgre]

For a good, fairly comprehensive overview of Realms material, I still suggest the 3e Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. (You can find it on eBay, too).

It's a big book, but well organized, with tons of information about the world as it stood in 1372. I've got a ton of FR material, spanning editions, but this works as a good all-in-one reference that can be read in a pretty straightforward manner, or used as a reference.

Being a bit traditionalist, I agree with the suggestion not to follow the 4e book (I have not seen the 5e book). 4e's FR book advanced the timeline significantly and changed a lot of core details of the game world... deities, politics, and so forth. For someone being introduced to the world I imagine it was less problematic; for me, it scarcely seemed like the Realms.

While I'm a fan of the video games, I would tend to avoid them for learning purposes; the lore in in them is scattered and specific, so while you might learn the town of Beregost quite well with only a few hours of playing, the FRCS will give you more info for your time and money investment.

[Tarlek Flamehai]

There is also http://www.candlekeep.com. The wealth of information there is amazing.