The Making of Middle-earth: A New Look Inside the World of J.R.R. Tolkien

Even a world as fantastical as J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth has its roots in reality, and Snyder (European history, dean, Shackouls Honors Coll., Mississippi State Univ.; The World of King Arthur) is an expert guide through the historic context and literary influences of Tolkien's popular The Lord of the Rings. The chronicle might feel dense at times, but true Tolkien enthusiasts, who are already well versed in heavy backstory, will have no problem navigating the stories of Celtic Britain, World War I, philology, or the legends of King Arthur. Tolkien's own background is sparse, so those searching for a definitive personal account will have to look elsewhere, for instance, Humphrey Carpenter's J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography. However, Snyder brilliantly interweaves Tolkien's academic papers, letters, and reviews of his books, along with gorgeous illustrations and supplementary images, to enhance the trajectory of his creative career, giving readers the opportunity truly to see traces of Middle-earth in the history.