The " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion ReviewThe Lord of the Rings - A Readers Companion - 2008 revised - paperback
I remember when I was at college, struggling to read Ulysses by James Joyce. I had a book of annotations to my side and was struggling to understand chapter 3 of Stephen Dedalus's adventures on the Sandymount Strand in Eire
This book is rather like that book, but I think its more of a joy to read. Although this book is not for a person who has never read the Story (it will probably give away the ending for a start!) I think its pretty worthwhile for a person whos read the "trilogy" (of SIX Books! in three Volumes!) more than once
If you've read Lord I think you'll really enjoy this. Its engrossing, and (to be honest) too much in depth (I don't really care to know what words mean in Elvish!)
So this book works well but you don't have to read EVERY bit, like the Ulysses Gifford guide. Tolkien was in love with words being a philogist, names of places and people had to mean something. His pose in the work was as a translator of the work into Westron, the Common Tongue, so you get (for example) Samwises real name in the original text as Banizir
So I can think the attention to detail can get overwhelming (what Samwises name is in Sindarin, etc).
So I do think its a great book, but it can get overwhelming. Tolkien created a history for the work, and as great a book as this is (its the best book I've read on Tolkien, up there with Lord of the Rings actually) it might be best if you just take it in small doses. Listen to the Lord of the Rings on audio cassette and read along with this book for to start.
Again, it helps if you're intimate with the Lord of the Rings. Its not unusual for people to read Lord every year (like me). If you have read it a few times, I think you will really enjoy this book, as its an intelligent, in depth study of the work, page by page
I mean, its 900 pages of annotations, and it has a nice "dip in" quality, and it is an absorbing read
Just make sure you've read the Lord of the Rings a few times first though, otherwise you might end up throwing the Companion aside in frustration, just because of the minute attention to detail.
See, Tolkien worked out phases of the moon, dates, and so forth; after Books 1 & 2 (which comprise The Fellowship of the Ring) it becomes convoluted, with Book 3 (Two Towers is comprised of Books 3 & 4 - 4 dealing solely with Frodo and Sam's mission to Mordor) starting off with Aragorn speeding up the hill of Amon Hen (on February 26) and ending with Pippin riding with Gandalf to Minas Tirith the night of March 5/6 - with different characters intercepted at different times throughout that particular Book. By contrast, Book 4 (picking up Frodo and Sam) starts in median res at February 28 and ends with the capture of Frodo by old Sauron on late March 13th, a full week later than the end of Book 3. So in few, the time periods to each book are not always concurrent - that is, starting at the same time and ending at the same time
So to keep track of moon phases, dates, meanings of words in one huge tome is quite something. Clearly the Lord of the Rings is (in Tolkien's phrase)a matter that "got out of hand" rather quickly. Original drafts of early chapters of the first book had the Black Rider hunting for the Shire hobbits originally being Gandalf, comically surprising them while leaving Hobbiton - in the comic vein of the earlier book The Hobbit, to which Lord was a sequel; this incident became much darker with Gandalf turning to a Black Rider STALKING the hobbits before they even left the Shire!
This book keeps track of events, words (lot of archaic words need to be defined - and not everyone knows that a league is 3 miles!)
As brilliant a book this is (I've read it once thus far, all the way through) I do have to wonder who its for... As I've said, you can't just pick up this book if you're not really familiar with the Story as you'll get rather cross and fling it aside because you'll be confused about references to Westernesse (aka Numenor) and so forth. (Westernesse is the land lost by betrayal by Sauron at the close of the Second Age when the king took up arms against the Valar in the West.)
I think it would also help if you had a passing familiarity with The Silmarillion, even if just reading about it in the excellent Tolkien for Dummies book, which touches on the Ages previous to the events of the War of the Ring (at the close of the 3rd age)
I think reading the Silmarillion might be too much for some people (I found it tedious and not as engrossing as the Lord of the Rings) so perhaps finding a synopsis would be best. I do think it would help that you read the Lord of the Rings a least a few times before picking up this work (this IS a review of the Readers Companion); it really helps if you know the Lord well, to sum up. Otherwise this work might be too frustrating a read, and you won't know the worldThe " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion Overview

Want to learn more information about The " Lord of the Rings " : a Reader's Companion?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings". Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" ReviewAs a scholar who has studied and taught J. R. R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy for twenty-five years, there are very probably very few better qualified to write an introductory book on the subject than Michael Stanton. He's obviously a great fan on the book (that is, he does not seem to be simply trying to cash in on the recent popularity that the movies have caused) and writes in a simple, chatty style that is easy for most non-academics to understand. For those who are more experienced in reading essays and critiques, "Hobbits, Wizards and Elves" may come across as either too simplistic or repetitive - and I admit that there was very little here that I hadn't already come across in more comprehensive essays on this subject.
But Stanton is well aware of this, and has no delusions about what it is that he's writing - in fact on many occasions he encourages other authors that go deeper into the text, and often apologises for his `bare-bones' treatment of the subject. To like the author's own voice makes up a great part of one's enjoyment of these exploratory books, and there's nothing pretentious or overtly opinionated in Stanton's techniques.
In saying that however, this is a book for beginners to the world of Tolkien - long time studiers or fanatical fans will know all this stuff already - and probably through their own readings of the book. Yet for those starting out, or those that need a helping hand in grasping the finer details of Tolkien's great work, this is a readable and clear-cut `helpmeet' to "the Lord of the Rings".
In Part One of the book Stanton gives us a (very) brief biographical account of Tolkien's life and his inspiration for the book, and the publishing history, followed by a chapter devoted to the geography, history and themes that make up Middle-Earth. The bulk of the book is taken up with accounts of the six books that make up the complete "Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King." This is perhaps the most interesting part (at least for me), as he explores the meanings and finer details of the chapters and the events and characters within them.
Part Two divides up the `species' of Middle Earth and explores their cultures closer: Elves, Dwarves, Ents, Humankind (including Hobbits) and the forces of evil are all discussed separately, and then finally Tolkien's use of language (undoubtedly the basis of the entire saga) and the use of dreams and spirituality throughout the story.
Lastly comes a chapter on the Peter Jackson version of "the Fellowship of the Ring" that is enthusiastically advertised by the publishers on the front cover: "includes a new essay on the first part of "the Lord of the Rings" film trilogy!" As it turns out, this is the most unnecessary parts of the book, and I couldn't help but feel that Stanton was either coerced into doing this for the benefit of sales, or was simply a little `pet-project' of his that he wanted to sneak in. As it is, it is not an `essay' at all, but simply a list of opinions concerning the movie that nearly verges into being a movie review. As you may have guessed, the absence of Tom Bombadil and the role of Arwen are mentioned, as are a few other little nitpicks, but at least Stanton appreciates Sean Bean's role as Boromir - a performance that I believe is often overlooked by viewers.
He's not afraid to criticise certain portions of the book (he points out that only three of five wizards sent to Middle Earth are identified, and that Tolkien puts the title of `oldest living thing in Middle Earth' on two separate characters: Tom Bombadil and Treebeard), and to go against popular fan speculation (in his opinion the `unsung hero' of the story is not Samwise Gamgee, but Prince Imrahil) but on the whole you can tell that he simply adores Tolkien's work and has read it multiple times.
He also points out some interesting titbits that are obvious in hindsight, but which were overlooked by me in my own reading of "Lord of the Rings" - such as the fact that Pippin is the only character in the book to directly converse with Sauron.
It is not a thick book, nor a very deep one, but it is interesting nonetheless and would be valuable to those just beginning to explore Tolkien's world. I've been exploring for a few years now, and I still found some interesting theories and explanations - but then I brought this book at the University's book store for only two dollars, so I'm hardly going to take a harsh view of something brought so cheaply. Any one well-versed in Tolkien's universe has more comprehensive works to explore, but beginners are most welcome here.Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" Overview

Want to learn more information about Hobbits, Elves and Wizards: The Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings ReviewJ.R.R. Tolkien's magisterial opus, "The Lord Of The Rings" has been examined by many scholars and students, but this book is unique. Mr. Shelton dives deep below the surface of the text attempting to draw out hitherto obscure and veiled connections between this "Most Important Book of The Twentieth Century" the great religious and symbolic traditions of mankind. Much has been made by other reviewers of the "Islamic" character of this book; in fact, the title, "Alchemy In Middle Earth" points to the real essentials of its singular approach. The book attempts to highlight the realities and transcendent truths at the heart of Tolkien's vision. To my understanding, there is no other study of Tolkien that brings the searching light of the perennial philosophical tradition to bear upon the obviously profound hidden depths of "The Lord Of The Rings".... Highly recommended for those with a heart and imagination!Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Overview

Want to learn more information about Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale.? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale.. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale. ReviewThe great thing about The Lord of the Rings is what J. R. R. Tolkien called "applicability," or the ability of his myths to speak to everyone who reads them where he or she is. Too often those of us who love his work, and those who write up big explorations of his themes and symbology act as though we have found THE key to understanding Tolkien. That's trying to cram his myth into allegory, which he would have hated passionately. Tolkien's genius is that his myth sustains many of these explanations simultaneously because it is myth and encompasses much more reality than mere fact or truth could. (See On Fairy Stories for an explanation of this.)
Greg Wright has the ability to explore Tolkien's themes and yet not set his explanations in stone. Then he highlights these themes as they did or did not show up in the film. My enjoyment of Tolkien and insights into his work, and the ways in which it was interpreted in the movies directed by Peter Jackson was expanded in Greg's collection of ongoing musings. Greg also has a great gift for keeping it short, sweet, and clearly logical-which means there is more to continue thinking about after he's got you started. He also has a good feel for how literature, image and culture intersect to bring about our engagement with this story in both book and film. If you want an exploration of Tolkien that comes in small bites and opens up new vistas in Middle-earth for you and sends you off on new mental quests, this book is a winner.Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale. Overview

Want to learn more information about Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings. A Look at Hollywood's Take on Tolkien's Epic Tale.?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings ReviewPublished in 1975, this is a good collection of essays about Tolkien's fiction given that the essays are ostensibly written by "fans" rather than scholars. A few of the essays are, it must be conceded, naive in style and scope-- like the one which makes the rather obvious claim that the main theme of the Lord of the Rings is that "power corrupts". Quite a few others, however, are quite insightful, particular Charles Huttar's article on "Hell and the City", Robert Plink's analysis of the "Scouring of the Shire" chapter, and Richard West's analysis of the 'interlace' structure of The Lord of the Rings. Also Bonniejean Christiansen's article on the characterological differences between Gollum that were produced by the *major* revisions of the "Riddles in the Dark" chapter of the Hobbit is extremely valuable-- both for what she has to say about Gollum and for the fact that she offers side-by-side quotations from both the first and second editions of that chapter so the reader can see what has changed from one to the other.
Quite surprisingly, these essays aren't nearly as dated as a lot of other Tolkien criticism that came out at the same time or earlier. (The publication of Carpenter's biography of Tolkien in 1977, as well as the posthumous publication of the _Silmarillion_ and then later of Tolkien's letters has rendered a lot of older Tolkien criticism out-of-date or irrelevant). In fact, these essays are just as good and insightful as a lot of Tolkien criticism being written now (in fact, they're better than a lot of it!). The main reason for their continued relevance, I think, is tha they are clearly focused on Tolkien's fictional *texts* as texts that can be analyzed on their own terms. Rather than delving into lots of biographical details, into questions of authorial intention, trying to place The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in the context of _The Silmarillion_, or connecting them to Tolkien's alleged goal of creating a 'mythology for England', these articles focus on specific chapters, images, themes, and structures from The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, this gives them a kind of 'permanence' that other earlier Tolkien criticism has lacked. (Also, I think the emphasis upon Tolkien's texts themselves leads to more insightful analysis than the biographically-oriented authorial-intention-minded criticism that's still dominant among Tolkien criticism). It's a real shame this has gone out of print...A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings Overview

Want to learn more information about A Tolkien Compass: Including J. R. R. Tolkien's Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder ReviewDick Blackwelder (1909-2001) was an entomologist and zoologist, whose 1978 encounter with Tolkien's writings led to his amassing a huge collection of secondary materials on Tolkien and the compilation of A Tolkien Thesaurus (1990). Since Marquette already owned most of the manuscripts for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Blackwelder's bequest enhanced the Wisconsin university's already great importance for Tolkienian researchers. (Wayne Hammond's paper in the present collection discusses the importance of original manuscripts for the study of Tolkien's fiction and illumination of his life.)
In celebration of Blackwelder's own work and financial contribution on behalf of Tolkienian scholarship, and to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of The Lord of the Rings, a 2004 conference brought together many of the most prominent scholars in this field. Publication of the resulting 20 papers has been subsidized by the Blackwelder endowment, which no doubt helps to keep down the cost of this attractively produced book.
Readers interested in Tolkien's literary creativity will be interested in several essays. Paul Edmund Thomas shows that we owe Tolkien's publishers much gratitude, because their refusal to accept the Silmarillion materials as a follow-up to The Hobbit compelled Tolkien to conceive and to write The Lord of the Rings (in fits and starts). Thomas and the next essayist, John Rateliff, discuss the importance of the sense of antiquity (something Tolkien found basic in Beowulf) as central for Tolkien's fiction. (One would have appreciated a reference for his statement that Lord Dunsany was "one of Tolkien's favorite fellow fantasists.") Verlyn Flieger zeroes in on Tolkien's desire to provide fictional antiquarian explanations of the origins of his Middle-earth books (the Red Book of Westmarch, etc.), suggesting that the 1934 discovery of the Arthurian Winchester manuscript and its 1947 publication influenced not only this element of Tolkien's fiction but his wishes for a multi-volume format in which his fiction could be published. Christina Scull's paper is an enjoyable distillation of evidence of the History of Middle-earth series and Tolkien's letters, highlighting several remarkable changes from initial to final conceptions in LOTR. David Bratman's paper complements Scull's, examining changes made by Tolkien not only prior to publication of The Lord of the Rings but from the first edition to the second.
Several essays take up the topic of class in Tolkien. John Garth focuses on Frodo's experiences as a transmutation of those of British soldiers in the Great War; Garth notes in passing the typical wartime arrangement wherein officers had commissions for class reasons, while the privates actually possessed more experience relevant to the conditions of trench warfare. Marjorie Burns surveys the persistence of hierarchy (the "high," the noble, the ancient) in Tolkien's fantasy, finding that Tolkien also rewards the meek and finds ways to break down "social division" (as she notes Christianity does). Jane Chance sees feudal contracts as recurrent in LOTR; Gollum's homage to Frodo as Ringbearer, Merry's pledging of himself to Theoden, and Pippin's service to Denethor all show the deference of "third estate" (commons) figures to "first estate" (aristocracy) figures (and each of these commoners is ultimately disobedient, too).
In two further papers, Gary Hunnewell contributes "Naysayers in the Works of Tolkien" and Matthew Fisher finds Tolkien "`working at the crossroads' of Northern courage [as seen in Beowulf] and the theology of Augustine" in LOTR. Much of Fisher's paper, however, is given to the exposition of Augustine and to excerpts on theological topics from Tolkien's letters; perhaps a more extensive treatment of Augustinianism and of the pagan Northern theory of courage will appear eventually.
This essay collection has no papers on the recent LOTR movies. The prominence the films gave to the romance of Aragorn and Arwen may, however, prompt interest in their story as Richard West has sensitively pieced it together from widely dispersed elements in the book.
Several papers deal with Tolkien's scholarly interests. Michael Drout discusses the composition of Tolkien's most famous professional essay, the Beowulf lecture; Tolkien worked on it till it was "not only logically sound but also rhetorically persuasive." The Gothic language may be said to straddle a line between real language and imaginary language because so much of it must be reconstructed, and Arden Smith shows Tolkien at work doing that. Tolkien's interest in the Old English dialect of the West Midlands and his comparison of two manuscripts, showing that they conformed to the same linguistic standards, features in Arne Zettersten's article.
Tom Shippey, whose Road to Middle-earth is my choice for the one essential study of Tolkien's fiction, has been working on a book about the Grimm brothers as philologists. His paper in this collection connects Tolkien's scholarly work with theirs, and includes enjoyable linguistic "unpackings" of two unusual words in LOTR, Sam's "ninnyhammer" and Eowyn's "dwimmerlaik." Few indeed could be those who know as much as Carl Hostetter does about Tolkien's invented languages. One probably could not do better, if seeking to know what Tolkien thought he was doing, and what he was not doing, in his creation of Quenya and Sindarin, or to recognize the limitations of their further development, than to read his essay.
The rapid emergence of fantasy as a publishers' marketing genre, after the paperbacking of LOTR in the mid-1960s, is traced by Douglas Anderson. (LOTR had sold well before then, though.) Anderson unearths a remark from Tolkien, not included in the Letters volume, in which he claimed membership in science fiction and fantasy "fandom." Mike Foster provides good ideas for anyone who will be teaching a college course on Tolkien's fiction.
This collection - which is indexed (something not to be taken for granted!) -- is a must-purchase for college and university libraries, and is also recommended for public and secondary school libraries that have significant Tolkien holdings.The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder Overview

Want to learn more information about The Lord of the Rings 1954-2004: Scholarship in Honor of Richard E. Blackwelder?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings) ReviewAndy Serkis is the outstanding actor who is barely seen in his most beloved role: Gollum, the tormented Ring junkie. In "Gollum: A Behind the Scenes Guide," he talks frankly and easily about how this complex, difficult character was brought from the book to the screen.
Andy Serkis was unenthusiastic when he heard that they were searching for actors to play Gollum in "Lord of the Rings." But after his now-wife began gushing about what a wonderful character Gollum was, he went in for an audition, armed only with a voice that sounded like his cat throwing up hairballs. Not only did Serkis get the role, he also learned that there was more needed for Gollum than just the voice: He had to suit up in a motion capture suit to provide Gollum's movements as well.
"Gollum: A Behind the Scenes Guide" is more than just a guide about how the first really convincing CGI character was created. Serkis also chronicles bits of his everyday life in New Zealand, the birth of his son, September 11th, the premiere of "Two Towers," and the more widespread reaction to everybody's favorite Ring junkie (Gollum appeared on SNL and "The Simpsons, for example). Not to mention a sweet poem Serkis wrote to his young daughter.
To give further dimension to Serkis's story, there are lots of concept drawings and clay statues of Gollum (warning: avoid certain pages unless you're willing to see Gollum naked). There are also detailed sections written by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, the mocap crew, and many others about how they also helped create Gollum. For example, there was a lot of thought given to what kind of nose Gollum should have, or whether he should have a potbelly.
Serkis has a nice, conversational style, with plenty of self-deprecating humor and excellent descriptions ("... suddenly this bald lunatic in pale green spandex comes lolloping into view. It was like a very bad nightmare, like a Dali painting gone wrong"). He's got a nice vocabulary and a great actor's sense, getting into Gollum's bald little head. And despite his claims of "ignorance of great literature," he makes some nice references to Narnia, Shakespeare, Dickens, Hugo, and ancient Norse sagas.
Andy Serkis and the people at WETA created movie history with the flawless Gollum. And Serkis's mini-memoir about how Gollum came to life is not just a good book for "Rings" fans, but for cinephiles and movie students as well. It's our precious.Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings) Overview

Want to learn more information about Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic (The Lord of the Rings)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Lord of the Rings Journal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Lord of the Rings Journal? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Lord of the Rings Journal. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Lord of the Rings Journal ReviewYes, this is smaller than tradional journals or the other LOTR Journal that I've seen, but that just makes it that much better for me, personally. It's a little bigger than a paperback book. Since I'm using it as a journal, diary and notebook, hand sized is perfect - easy to stow and not an eye-catcher.The Lord of the Rings Journal Overview

Want to learn more information about The Lord of the Rings Journal?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick ReviewRichard Abanes wasted his time writting this book. Why do I say this? Because he wrote the same book a year before this one came out. The only difference it that he renamed it from "Harry Potter and the Bible" to "Fantasy and your Family." In both books Abanes gives an unfair and biassed crtiticism of Harry Potter. He frequently tells one side of the story and leaves the other half out conviniently.
Also he advances the theory that the books contain sexism and at least two anti-Christian remarks which is not true.
He also uses scare tactics to frighten already concearned Christian parents by saying that kids are saying they want to be involved in the Occult because of Harry Potter. One quote he uses on page 160 by a 13 year old girl who said she wants to do magick, like being a parseltongue or a necromancer. The second thing is not even in the books. This gives me the idea that these kids had an influence other than Harry Potter.
Also he fails to point out that though the occult has had a growth, that a Zenit news article points out that the occult populations in Europe and the U.S. are both under 0.1% of there general populations. The same article also points out that though Potter and Buffy have a large following in Europe that there the occult movements are in decline.
Do I even need to say I cannot recommend this book?Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick Overview

Want to learn more information about Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Poems from the Lord of the Rings Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Poems from the Lord of the Rings? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Poems from the Lord of the Rings. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Poems from the Lord of the Rings ReviewI love the poems from Lord of the Rings and was always marking the pages where they were. Now I don't have to hunt. It is also a lovely way to enjoy Allen Lee's work if you can't afford to buy the complete illustrated version. It is also small enough to fit in a purse for reading at a Doctor's office or on a lunch break.Poems from the Lord of the Rings Overview

Want to learn more information about Poems from the Lord of the Rings?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen ReviewIn first looking at this book I was reminded of John Milton's "They also serve who only stand and wait."
This is a book on heros, but not the star. This is a book on the lessor heros, the little people, the women, even children that are also heros, even if of a lessor scale. Written in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack where we learned that the ordinary firemen, policeman, yes, even office worker occassionally does heroic things.
This book, though is based on the characters in The Lord of the Rings. It concentrates on finding heroic behavior in the lessor characters to illustrate both the genius of Tolkien's work, how well it was adapted to the movies and to illustrate how these minor heros have simularities with's today's real-life heros.
This book helps to understand how the adapted the book to the new medium of film, but also to show the depth of the original work and how faithfully this was carried out in the transposition to film.Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen Overview

Want to learn more information about Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings) Review"The Return of the King Photo Guide" is a treat for those wanting to revisit the rich Middle-Earth depicted in Peter Jackson's movie adaptation of "Lord of the Rings." The pictures are excellent, and if anyone has problems following the complicated storyline, this is something for them to check out.
In "Return of the King," the treacherous Gollum is leading Sam and Frodo into the Dark Lord's land of Mordor. With the fate of Middle-Earth -- and his beloved Arwen's life -- on the line, Aragorn fully accepts his fate as Gondor's future king, and recruits the help of a long-dead army. And Gandalf takes the hobbit Pippin to the ravaged land of Gondor, the last stronghold against Sauron.
The actual climax and precise endings of the film are left up to the readers' imaginations (this isn't exactly a storybook), although the final sentence hints at the bittersweet events of the ending. The prose is fairly standard, nothing special; quotes from the film are littered through it, some directly from the books.
The pictures are what make this book stand out, with phenomenal shots of Minas Tirith, Pippin in his silver and black Gondorian armor, a helmeted Gondorian guard, an angelic shot of Eowyn, two Elven smiths reforging Aragorn's sword, and Frodo fending off Shelob with the phial Galadriel gave him. What's more, there are scenes that never made it to the final film, such as Aragorn tending the wounded Faramir in the Houses of Healing, or Frodo and Sam looking at a broken statue crowned with flowers. (Somewhat disappointing are the lack of pictures of the monstrous spider Shelob, or the ghostly army of the dead)
While it won't satisfy those longing to know the grand finale, "The Return of the King Photo Guide" will be eagerly devoured by fans of the films, with its wonderful pictures and semi-storybook outline. Definitely should be purchased for the photographs, and newbie fans may find it helpful too.Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings) Overview

Want to learn more information about Return of the King Photo Guide (Lord of the Rings)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4) ReviewIf you already have the 9th volume in the 'History of Middle-earth' (H.O.M.E), 'Sauron Defeated' (published in 1992), you DO NOT need to buy this book, 'The End of the Third Age': It contain less then half the material that already appered in volume 9 (i.e pages 3-141 of the main text & 441-457 of the index). The soul purpose of this book is to complement the newly-packeged 'mini series' 'The History of the Lord of the Rings', which is made up from volumes 6, 7, 8 & this first half of volume 9 of the H.O.M.E. series. The current book DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY NEW MATERIAL.The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4) Overview

Want to learn more information about The End of the Third Age (The History of the Lord of the Rings, Part 4)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference) ReviewThis is an overlong publicity book for the Lord of the Rings films, full of detailed chatter about the films and their making, and about Tolkien collectibles. As such, it's not bad. As a guide to Tolkien's book, however, it's another matter. The opening chapters on Tolkien and his work are actually pretty well-written and accurate. But even they are loaded with movie photos; and a chapter on the characters mixes facts from the book and films indiscriminately. A geography-ethnography chapter approaches David Day levels of plonky erroneousness. Most offensive is page 102, a list of parts of the book deemed skippable, especially any poetry that might hold up the action. If you want action, see the movie. A guide to the book should be written by someone capable of appreciating it.The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference) Overview

Want to learn more information about The Rough Guide to the Lord of the Rings (Rough Guide Reference)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos ReviewPersonally, I have really enjoyed this piano book. The pieces are meant to be accompaniments for instruments such as trumpet or clarinet, but they contain enough of the melody that they can be enjoyed on their own. "Concerning Hobbits" has to be the highlight of this collection. I have been playing piano for four years and am concidered intermediate to late intermediate, and this is exactly my level. If you are not that advanced, you can pick through the melody line written above the music. There are some very neat pictures in this book too. I would reccomend this selection very highly. (I would have given it 4.5 stars, but you can't give half stars.)The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos Overview

Want to learn more information about The Lord of the Rings Instrumental Solos?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings ReviewI enjoyed reading Frodo's Quest, and I am, in fact, re-reading it again to get a deeper appreciation of the depth of Tolkien's insight in Lord of the Rings (Lord). I have (only) read Lord three times. I first read Lord in college, next some years later and again last year before the first movie came out. At each of these times, at different stages in my life, Tolkien never failed to catch me up in the story and depth of his characters. I know that I am not alone in this, for its not unusual to meet someone who confesses that he or she has read it many more times than that. But I have often wondered why the book appealed to me so much.
Dr. Robert Ellwood who, according to his web page, is both a priest, retired college professor, and a teacher / scholar of world religions, helped me understand just why Tolkien's Lord moves its loyal readers so. Ellwood, with insightful extracts from Tolkien's other works, shows that Tolkien wove into his story the universal themes of mankind's spiritual quest. After reading Frodo's Quest, one can never again see Lord as a mere fantasy story, for Ellwood demonstrates its appeal is that, at its core, it is about our own personal spiritual search. Frodo's Quest makes use of references and quotes from psychological and religious sources to establish that Lord is a quest story in the highest spiritual meaning of that term. In this sense, Frodo's Quest will ring true to readers familiar with the works and viewpoints of Joseph Campbell or Carl Jung. The reader of Frodo's Quest, like Frodo himself, will come to realize, like we all must sooner or later, that we all live in a world that is much more than just that which can be seen or touched. More importantly, we all have a role in the eternal drama of life
But Frodo's Quest is not for everyone. It unabashedly presumes that its audience both knows the Lord books and also has a the insight / spiritual discernment to understand exactly what a universal myth is, and what it does, so it is going to put off some people of a more rigid religious outlook. But if that is the price of such insights, so be it. Frankly, I don't find the exercises at the end of chapters especially useful to most people, but they don't detract from the main message of the book. Frodo's Quest has shown us Tolkien's grand vision of mankind and revealed that Lord of the Rings' appeal is that it speaks to the Frodo within each of us, ala Campbell or Jung. Frodo's Quest is a book well worth reading over and over again.Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings Overview

Want to learn more information about Frodos Quest: Living the Myth in The Lord of the Rings?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7) ReviewThe advent of DVD technology increased what many of us expect to get out of a movie. When I buy a movie I love on DVD, I expect to get as much extra data as possible. I want to see the original drafts of the script, I want to hear the director and writer talking about the movie, I want to see a 'making of' documentary and all the deleted scenes that never made it to the final version.
This is *precisley* what you get with this compendium of Christopher Tolkien's History of Middle Earth. Unlike the previous volumes that cover the actual internal history and chronology of Middle Earth in the same way the books of Lost Tales did, this series details the *writing* of the Lord of the Rings. We *see* Tolkien's thought processes as he figured out what happens next. We watch as Aragon shows up with the unlikely name of Trotter. We watch Frodo get moved around so much that, by the time he's recognizable to us as the character in the novel, he's had several names and other characters have had his name!
We see the *entire plotline* surrounding Saruman's defection from the Council, one of-if not *the*- major subplots of the novel arise out of Tokien's problems with the Nazgul. If the Nazgul are going to chase Frodo and Co. around on the way to Rivendell, Gandalf *can't be there*. Otherwise he'd just smack the Nazgul around. Ok, where can Gandalf be? Hmm. . .he'd have to be *captured* by someone if he couldn't make it to defend Frodo. And so the entire notion of Saruman takes form.
This is more than just a fascinating examination of the development of a famous novel; it's a lesson on how books are written. About the endless series of compromises that must be made to get the story into print.
Two points you should consider, though. This is not *fun* to read, it's not remotely entertaining. It's not *meant* as entertainment, it's mean as a scholarly examination of the development of a novel. Christopher Tolkien is occasionally casual; he'll say; "Then father wrote something I honestly can't figure out and doesn't make any sense to me." Fair enough, but that's about as engaging as this gets. If you pick this up, be prepared to read it like a textbook.
Secondly, Christopher Tolkien is necessarily bound by the things his father thought were important. Gargantuan volumes of text are devoted to following his father's obsession with working out the precise timeline, often down to the hour and minute, things occurred in the story. I don't think this is going to be interesting to anyone except another Tolkien scholar. I don't think the timeline is that important in the first place, so I can't honestly say that it was interesting watching its development.
But you shouldn't let these two things stop you. Some advice; skip the parts that are boring to you. Each book has a hell of an index. Start leafing through it, looking for interesting subjects. I was fascinated by the development of the Palantir. Much time is spent talking about the different drafts, but we don't need to know when the different drafts were written, or why, just that there *were* different drafts. I was able to learn a lot about the development of the Palantir just by reading that section, without understanding the nature of the different drafts of the story.
The whole series is filled with this stuff. It's worth it alone for the development of the poem Errantry, which Bilbo recites in the house of Elrond. Great stuff!!The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7) Overview

Want to learn more information about The Treason of Isengard: The History of The Lord of the Rings, Part Two (The History of Middle-Earth, Vol. 7)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary ReviewThis short (229 pages plus bibliography and index) but highly important work will become an absolute necessity for all Tolkien admirers.
There are three sections. The first deals with Tolkien's brief but productive period working on the Oxford English Dictionary. The authors, who are all Editors of the OED, were able to examine the actual scraps of paper on which Tolkien wrote drafts for definitions and etymologies of words (primarily beginning with W) to be included in the OED. To an outsider such work could seem tedious in the extreme, but since the authors are as fascinated by the origins and developments of words as Tolkien was himself, they help us see how intriguing such work can be. (Indeed, Tolkien was so enthusiastic that many of his definitions had to be severely edited by the then Editor, who thus gained time and space at the expense of some great scholarship.)
The second section, on Tolkien as wordwright, I found particularly interesting. Having been an enthusiastic student of Middle earth since the age of 12 in 1969, I am very familiar with Tolkien's enormous vocabulary and love of words, and this section brings new light to Tolkien's deep knowledge of Anglo-Saxon and other ancient tongues, and to his readings of such authors as William Morris and H.R. Haggard, among many others. Here the reader recognizes anew that Tolkien's chosen career of philology was not just his job, but also his passion.
The third section is devoted to word studies and gives short histories of some of the terms, like Middle earth, Hobbit, mathom, etc, which Tolkien used throughout his writings. These are sometimes archaic terms like nuncheon and sometimes words developed by Tolkien himself such as eucatastrophe and legendarium, which have now entered the English language.
This is a scholarly but highly accessible work which will be appreciated by Tolkien scholars and anyone else who loves the English language.The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary Overview

Want to learn more information about The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings ReviewIt's obvious that Mr. Smith truly loves "The Lord of the Rings". That comes through, if nothing else does. The premise of the book is also good. However, Mr. Smith does not begin to go deeply enough -- and he doesn't use valuable, readily accessible source material which would have strengthened his case dramatically. (Two examples which come to mind are "Letters by JRR Tolkien" and "The Timeless Momement: Christian Doctrine in a Pre-Christian Age".)
Smith does recognize that Tolkien was a devout Catholic -- but fails to bring this perspective into the book's development. In addition, the two most important virtues (according to Tolkien's own letters) found in the book, Pity and Mercy, were not dealt with in nearly enough depth -- and this is a loss.
From a literary basis, Mr. Smith does make some basic errors in fact. (For example, the length of time between Bilbo's departure and Frodo's departure was 17 years, not 12 as was stated twice.) From my perspective, he seriously misunderstands the character of Aragorn (and to a lesser extent, Merry and Pippin).
Why then the (almost) four stars? Because the passion in Smith's writing does come through, as does his humanness and his love for the subject. Mr. Smith has taken an enormous risk in revealing the deep parts of his soul to be shot at by callous reviewers! I respect this -- and I respect that Mr. Smith has made the attempt to bridge the gap between merely an enjoyable read and a spiritual read. I hope that he continues to make the attempt and that his future attempts are more successful.Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings Overview

Want to learn more information about Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano Review"Easy" is a hard word. I'm just coming back to the keyboard after 30+ years away and I can't say what level of player I was when I left (past Fur Elise; stalled on the Moonlight Sonata). Have been buying a host of popular music for "easy" piano and it varies. Some is so simplified I have it down on the third time through; others send me to the flash cards to learn what those off-staff notes are. LOTR is right in the middle of the range.
--A few songs from each of the three movies. In Dreams and Concerning Hobbits are the ones I'm learning first; will go back to the DVD and listen differently to decide which of the remaining songs I liked enough to want to learn.
--For the most part, no more than four notes in play at any one time, and a lot places where the music is one note, each hand. A smattering of 16th notes but mostly quarters, some eighths, and half notes.
--Easy key signatures; mostly C and the rest two sharps or two flats max.
--Lots and lots of 12-note arpeggios without a lot of fingering assistance in the left hand.
--Notes range two octaves above and below middle C.
In sum? There are enough notes on each page that the song sounds good, yet easy enough to recognize the tune on the first or second time through. Plan: master this book, then buy the individual movie scores one at a time as I get better and want a richer sound.The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano Overview

Want to learn more information about The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...