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When a Fan Hits the Shit: The Rise and Fall of a Phony Charity
Amy Player came from a good family in Virginia. She attended Christopher Newport University for two years and worked at Busch Gardens in the summers. Pretty, bright, and a talented artist, it's hard to understand how she ended up creating a phony charity and fleecing half the cast of the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.
In 2002 Ms. Player created an online fan club in homage to actor Sean Astin and his character, Sam Gamgee. This club caught the eye of Abigail Stone, a fan from Oregon, and the women discovered two mutual interests: an obsession with Astin and the other actors, and the willingness to do or say whatever it took to meet them.
Abbey and Amy developed their fan club into a beautiful, professional-appearing website. They referred to themselves as "Bit of Earth," and claimed that they wanted to raise money "for charity." On September 11, 2002, Amy went to Washington, DC and approached Sean Astin after his speech at the Capitol (Mr. Astin sits on the President's Council for Service and Civic Participation). Amy asked him to help out her "fledgeling charity" by volunteering with other members to build a Children's Reading Garden for a public library.
Their planning was perfect. They knew that Astin, having just given a public appeal for active community service, could hardly turn Amy down. They picked those themes because Astin is a staunch advocate for literacy, and gardening would naturally lend itself to publicity for Astin's movie role as gardener Sam Gamgee. As luck would have it, Astin loved the idea of focusing the enthusiasm of LOTR fans toward a charitable community project, instead of the usual autographs and merchandise. He agreed to help build the garden!
With that kind of endorsement, membership in Bit of Earth rapidly expanded to hundreds of Astin's fans worldwide. All were told that BoE was working in direct association with "Reading is Fundamental" to raise funds and build gardens to promote literacy.
The garden was built in Beaverton, Oregon, in 2003, and Astin's presence gave them renewed international publicity among his fans. Other major LOTR websites covered the news and it seemed that the sky was the limit for Bit of Earth, with its small army of enthusiastic fans working side-by-side with celebrities to improve communities.
Then it all hit the fan. Amy got caught in a complicated lie, in which she tried to mooch free airline tickets for actors to fly from New Zealand for a Bit of Earth event. This resulted in a miserable trip for several actors. Two of them ended up sleeping on the floor of Amy and Abbey's filthy apartment, instead of the deluxe accomodations they had been promised for attending this "fundraiser."
After the discovery of one lie, hundreds more fell apart. Former Bit of Earth volunteers came forward with horror stories. Amy borrowed a friend's computer and didn't "log out," which gave open access to the official Bit of Earth email account, revealing hundreds of lies that attempted to manipulate celebrities, businesses, volunteers, etc. into supporting this fake charity.
When A Fan was written by one of their victims. It takes the reader through the incredible web of firsthand evidence, revealing just how the half-truths, exaggerations, blame games, and other manipulations were employed to swindle both fans and celebrities the world over. Even without the "high drama" of murder or huge sums of money, this book will fascinate you with the real-life details of con artists in action.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 18, 2018
Cannot recommend due to extreme transphobia. While the author's dislike of the subject is justifiable, the language used to discuss them is downright hateful. Honestly tough to finish. You're better off just reading summaries of the wank that exist online.
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April 24, 2016I love fandom wank history, and this story hits pretty much every relevant trope, but the cissexism and ableism used to tell this story made me deeply uncomfortable. Feeling like I would've been better off reading whatever archives of the wank I could still dig up online. (Which I do intend to do, now.)
All I'm saying is, even if someone's a terrible person, using bigoted language to talk about their terribleness is pretty gross. Jordan Wood is guilty of a lot of abuse and theft, but whether or not he has a penis has no business being included on a list of his crimes. (Yes, in recent years he has changed his name online, once again, and covered his tracks as an abuser while moving between fandoms, and that's worth discussing. But the word "trans" never even appears once in this book. The author never considers it as a legitimate possibility and only suggests that he might hold the "delusional" belief that he is a male when he is actually a female, or that he's faking being a male when he's a female. Someone, please inform this author that not every man has a penis.)
All I'm saying is, even if someone's a terrible person, using bigoted language to talk about their terribleness is pretty gross. Jordan Wood is guilty of a lot of abuse and theft, but whether or not he has a penis has no business being included on a list of his crimes. (Yes, in recent years he has changed his name online, once again, and covered his tracks as an abuser while moving between fandoms, and that's worth discussing. But the word "trans" never even appears once in this book. The author never considers it as a legitimate possibility and only suggests that he might hold the "delusional" belief that he is a male when he is actually a female, or that he's faking being a male when he's a female. Someone, please inform this author that not every man has a penis.)
August 29, 2023
An interesting story about old internet lore, but be aware the author is not a neutral party. This is not a journalistic account, this is an involved party with a bone to pick. It takes real work on the reader's part to get through the author's many protestations of her own wounded innocence (while also paradoxically boasting of her own intensely cruel harassment of one of the involved parties) and constant instances of blatant transphobia to get to the actual meat of the story.
June 22, 2025
Don't fall into the same trap I did. I watched Strange Aeons cover the subject on her YouTube channel and she used this book as a source. Because I enjoyed the video so much, I thought I would read the book.
It goes without saying that Jordan Wood is a detestable person and Jeanine has every right to feel angry and bitter about the chaos and hurt he caused, but Jeanine's writing is *obnoxiously* bitter. Her story telling is insufferably snooty, self congratulatory, and her snide humour isn't funny, it's just cringe.
Although she continuously paints herself as the better person, she chose to print the vile emails she sent someone, where she mocks them and asks if they have become a crackwhore with AIDS. The transphobia towards Jordan is non stop, and her fixation on and jokes about his genitals are gross and juvenile.
The spelling/grammar/formatting errors and over use of putting 'Jordan' and 'his' pronouns in inverted commas are jarring. The timeline jumps all over the place. There is no entertainment to be had from pages upon pages of people calling airlines, arranging plane tickets, people getting on planes, calling airlines, funding plane tickets, calling airlines, people getting off planes. The history of BoE is so fascinating, but the book is a chore to read.
For a linear, incredibly detailed, genuinely funny and entertaining rundown of events, with multiple points of view covered, I recommend Strange Aeons's video all about it. Don't make the same mistake I did.
It goes without saying that Jordan Wood is a detestable person and Jeanine has every right to feel angry and bitter about the chaos and hurt he caused, but Jeanine's writing is *obnoxiously* bitter. Her story telling is insufferably snooty, self congratulatory, and her snide humour isn't funny, it's just cringe.
Although she continuously paints herself as the better person, she chose to print the vile emails she sent someone, where she mocks them and asks if they have become a crackwhore with AIDS. The transphobia towards Jordan is non stop, and her fixation on and jokes about his genitals are gross and juvenile.
The spelling/grammar/formatting errors and over use of putting 'Jordan' and 'his' pronouns in inverted commas are jarring. The timeline jumps all over the place. There is no entertainment to be had from pages upon pages of people calling airlines, arranging plane tickets, people getting on planes, calling airlines, funding plane tickets, calling airlines, people getting off planes. The history of BoE is so fascinating, but the book is a chore to read.
For a linear, incredibly detailed, genuinely funny and entertaining rundown of events, with multiple points of view covered, I recommend Strange Aeons's video all about it. Don't make the same mistake I did.
January 10, 2024
The transphobia was far too much and absolutely unnecessary.
April 14, 2011
I vaguely remember hearing bits and pieces of the uproar in the LotR online fan community when this was going down, but at the time wasn't aware of exactly how complex and wide-reaching the con was. When this book was published I was becoming involved in an equally lively fan community for a popular television show, and participated enthusiastically on message boards. One of the members of that community was claiming to be a member of the production team, and over time fed alleged inside information to us, developed a fanatical following of other posters, wove ever-more-elaborate and fascinating stories, etc. And of course it was a complete lie. When it began to unravel and people were in the beginning stages of shock and denial the question was often asked: it couldn't be a con, how could anybody pull off something that detailed and complicated and authentic-sounding??
And then I found this book. It's very funny, written in a dashing, self-deprecating style that keeps you laughing and shaking your head while being amazed and shocked anew on every page. And the best part of it is the object lesson: that however outlandish it might sound in retrospect, it was relatively easy for these two con artists to draw others in at first. Later, when the demands began to grow beyond common sense, their history of good works kept people coming back for more -- until it all fell down.
I've recommended the book to a lot of people caught up in this kind of mess, even bought a few and sent them to those who believed, "that could never happen!" So many good lessons here: trust but verify, use common sense and don't forget to listen to that little voice inside.
And then I found this book. It's very funny, written in a dashing, self-deprecating style that keeps you laughing and shaking your head while being amazed and shocked anew on every page. And the best part of it is the object lesson: that however outlandish it might sound in retrospect, it was relatively easy for these two con artists to draw others in at first. Later, when the demands began to grow beyond common sense, their history of good works kept people coming back for more -- until it all fell down.
I've recommended the book to a lot of people caught up in this kind of mess, even bought a few and sent them to those who believed, "that could never happen!" So many good lessons here: trust but verify, use common sense and don't forget to listen to that little voice inside.
August 11, 2024
I got this book after watching the Strange Aeons documentary on Jordan Thanfiction on loop. I loved the videos and hoped this book would provide a more detailed version, I was sorely mistaken. Most of the interesting and weird elements of Jordan’s psyche and his rampant abuse are ignored in favor of “sick burns” and gloated over how crazy it is that a woman could think she was a man. Jeanine’s book is merely a mean spirited gotcha and not a meaningful summary of any of the events. It does have a few interesting details, but it’s mainly repetitive minutiae about what lies were told to who and when they were exposed, but even this is hard to follow as it’s not linear, which makes it hard to view it as a narrative. Jeanine herself also exudes delusions of grandeur and fandom mean girl energy, like all of Jordan’s acolytes, she seemed intent on living an exciting, dramatic life even if it was partially a pretend one. I don’t buy her altruism, she waded knee deep into Jordon’s nonsense because she seems like she loves drama, and the book itself is more proof of that. I also think that without having seen the documentaries, I would have been quite lost due to the non linear telling of events, and the random mention of pretty key details non occurring til deep into the book. The Strange Aeons video emphasizes certain points early on that help shape the story, and she provides a pretty linear telling of events that stretches from before Jeanine’s account, filling in key personal details about Jordan and Abbey that took place during Jeanine’s account but went unmentioned, and after into Jordan’s alias Thanfiction. Probably the biggest issue with Jeanine’s book is the characterization of Jordan as primarily a con artist, who was into some eccentric roleplay on the side, the depths to his attempts to establish himself as a cult leader are totally glossed over in favor of a more straight forward claim that Jordan was after money and attention. Over all I couldn’t recommend this book not even to those keenly interested in Jordan’s nonsense, as there is little of value here.
May 9, 2024
you dont need to be transphobic to be critical of someone. andy is a horrible evil evil person but he is still a man
January 4, 2024
got gifted this - thank god! as i recently got into lotr. it’s a decent retelling of events but couldn’t enjoy it with the writers blatant trans / homophobia (even for 2004) and thinking that she’s the hero in the situation. she’s just as much to blame as anyone else. had to put it down after that disgusting ‘reminder’ to diamond. you published that? christ, would hate to think what was left on the cutting room floor with how to spoke to the kid.
narrator seems to think she’s the mightier than thou, responsible adult who was a victim in the situation but honestly just comes to off as not wanting to admit she was scammed by a trans man, no less.
i don’t have much sympathy for jordan but it doesn’t mean i have any for the narrator either. there are genuine victims in this story and jeanine, as much as she wants you to believe is not one of them.
narrator seems to think she’s the mightier than thou, responsible adult who was a victim in the situation but honestly just comes to off as not wanting to admit she was scammed by a trans man, no less.
i don’t have much sympathy for jordan but it doesn’t mean i have any for the narrator either. there are genuine victims in this story and jeanine, as much as she wants you to believe is not one of them.
March 17, 2016
My interest started to wane near the end, possibly because I'm not a fan of Tolkein/the movies at all, but the idea that a scam of this magnitude could go on for that long, and be perpetrated not *all* that long ago, is both horrifying and fascinating. She got a little bit of what was coming to her, but honestly it all makes you wonder why any of us bother to be upstanding citizens if people can get that far on charisma and fast-talking alone.
It also makes me feel better about myself as a fan. Sometimes I get a little nutty in my fannish adoration, but at least I manage to keep it all inside my head.
It also makes me feel better about myself as a fan. Sometimes I get a little nutty in my fannish adoration, but at least I manage to keep it all inside my head.
January 15, 2024
got the book due to the subject matter. got through it with a frown on my face. i understand the disdain for the individual from the author but it was rough to read through.
October 16, 2016
This book was especially hard to score. Some parts were really uncomfortable to read. I tried as much as I could to keep in mind that people speak very differently now about gender identity than they did in the early 2000s. The people involved may no longer agree with what they said back then. The absence of any discussion of the possibility that one of the main antagonists might be trans gets more glaring as the book goes on. It is particularly noticeable when the author begins talking about their mental health.
Other than that, the story is pretty fascinating. I became interested in reading this after stumbling onto Abbey's blog. It has all the details that I could ever want to know. I'll admit that I couldn't make it through the chat transcripts, but I wouldn't rule out returning to them after checking out some of the updates online. The structure did confuse me. It gave me the impression that events were spread out over a longer period of time than they were.
If you want to read about unbelievable online drama, the book can't be beat. Reading the book was a better experience than trying to hunt down information when a lot of it would have already disappeared. The author thought ahead and answered every one of my questions. If there was an updated version, I would definitely be tempted to also get that one.
Other than that, the story is pretty fascinating. I became interested in reading this after stumbling onto Abbey's blog. It has all the details that I could ever want to know. I'll admit that I couldn't make it through the chat transcripts, but I wouldn't rule out returning to them after checking out some of the updates online. The structure did confuse me. It gave me the impression that events were spread out over a longer period of time than they were.
If you want to read about unbelievable online drama, the book can't be beat. Reading the book was a better experience than trying to hunt down information when a lot of it would have already disappeared. The author thought ahead and answered every one of my questions. If there was an updated version, I would definitely be tempted to also get that one.
November 8, 2007
I read this book having personally seen the beginnings of what would be become the disaster that followed Bit of Earth's so called attempt at charity. I heard first hand what "Those Two" were planning, and from my vantage point, everything seemed legitimate and honest. I even witnessed a conversation between "Those Two" regarding a phone conversation about the upcoming event they were planning to have with Sean Astin. They even promised me that I could attend the event myself, until "Those Two" came to the conclusion I was unworthy of their "exhalted" company.
The description of events as described in this book were, from my memory, accurate and candidly described.
There's many lessons to be learned from this book, and the most important lesson is this: It's not about her anymore; it's about the people she wrongfully screwed over. Good things come out of horrible situations --a point Jeanine proves by her investigation into this matter and her honest portrayal of events.
The description of events as described in this book were, from my memory, accurate and candidly described.
There's many lessons to be learned from this book, and the most important lesson is this: It's not about her anymore; it's about the people she wrongfully screwed over. Good things come out of horrible situations --a point Jeanine proves by her investigation into this matter and her honest portrayal of events.
March 18, 2014
Wow, the events described in this book are just one huge clusterfu-- well, let's say fiasco.
I was interested to read this book for several reasons. First, because I was somewhat into the LOTR fandom when the movies were popular. Second, because this story took place somewhat local to me. And third, because I remember reading something about the organization and one of the charity events in this book at the time (and was kind of bummed I couldn't go). Oh yes, and because there's something weirdly fascinating about fandom wank.
The amount of crazy on display in the people the author's writing about is just mind-boggling. If it were fiction, I'd say it was unbelievable, but sadly I've seen just enough of the obsession and taking-it-too-seriously that happens with some people in fandom to believe some people could actually be this crazy.
It's fascinating and disturbing how these people conned a whole bunch of well-meaning others. It's like watching some horrible, slow-moving pile-up. I usually tend to find non-fiction boring, but this one had me riveted. I can't quite give it five stars, though, for a few reasons.
Like another reviewer said, there's really a bit too much here. The appendices in particular. There are many, many pages of nonsensical online transcript between people who are acting like complete lunatics, thinking they're channeling gay hobbits. (Although it turns out at least one of them, as I suspected while reading it, just thought they were doing an online role-play thing.) It really would have been a lot better if the author had provided maybe a couple of pages or less of excerpts. I think the point would have come across clearly without being so boring and repetitive.
I don't care for the jumping around in time that the author does. It makes it kind of hard to follow.
The narrative could use a bit more clarity between what actually happened and what the con artists made people believe happened. There are whole sections that you think are what happened only to later find out it wasn't like they said. I'd prefer if the narrator of the story did not try to fool us in order to put us in the perspective of the conned people, but rather told us at all times whether something really happened or not. It's kind of confusing to go back later and rearrange the situation in your head.
All in all, though, this was probably the best self-pubbed book I've read yet, and it could make a pretty interesting movie.
I was interested to read this book for several reasons. First, because I was somewhat into the LOTR fandom when the movies were popular. Second, because this story took place somewhat local to me. And third, because I remember reading something about the organization and one of the charity events in this book at the time (and was kind of bummed I couldn't go). Oh yes, and because there's something weirdly fascinating about fandom wank.
The amount of crazy on display in the people the author's writing about is just mind-boggling. If it were fiction, I'd say it was unbelievable, but sadly I've seen just enough of the obsession and taking-it-too-seriously that happens with some people in fandom to believe some people could actually be this crazy.
It's fascinating and disturbing how these people conned a whole bunch of well-meaning others. It's like watching some horrible, slow-moving pile-up. I usually tend to find non-fiction boring, but this one had me riveted. I can't quite give it five stars, though, for a few reasons.
Like another reviewer said, there's really a bit too much here. The appendices in particular. There are many, many pages of nonsensical online transcript between people who are acting like complete lunatics, thinking they're channeling gay hobbits. (Although it turns out at least one of them, as I suspected while reading it, just thought they were doing an online role-play thing.) It really would have been a lot better if the author had provided maybe a couple of pages or less of excerpts. I think the point would have come across clearly without being so boring and repetitive.
I don't care for the jumping around in time that the author does. It makes it kind of hard to follow.
The narrative could use a bit more clarity between what actually happened and what the con artists made people believe happened. There are whole sections that you think are what happened only to later find out it wasn't like they said. I'd prefer if the narrator of the story did not try to fool us in order to put us in the perspective of the conned people, but rather told us at all times whether something really happened or not. It's kind of confusing to go back later and rearrange the situation in your head.
All in all, though, this was probably the best self-pubbed book I've read yet, and it could make a pretty interesting movie.
February 8, 2026
This situation was absolutely INSANE, and I find cults fascinating as well as fan studies so I figured this would provide some interesting context that the StrangeAeons video wasn't able to because of time. And it did. Was it worth slogging through Jeanine Renne's shit to get there though? Uncertain.
Everyone who knows this situation knows that she is NOT an unbiased narrator. This is not a journalistic account of the situation, this is a 300 page smear campaign that concludes with the publication of 30ish pages of hobbit channeling chat logs that contain EXTREMELY personal information regarding victims of Andy's that just have no real reason to have ever been published. They add nothing to the story besides illustrating just how intense the manipulation was here, and they are published without the permission of the main person who was being hurt by the whole situation, which just compounds my belief that they should've never been included.
Jeanine barely talks about the cult aspects of this story (the stuff that I, personally, find the most interesting). Mostly, she focused on how much SHE was wronged by this situation; the only people she really cared about aside from herself and her friends were the LOTR celebrities who got roped up in all of this. She displays an extreme lack of empathy for Andy's victims the entire time, and that's not even to get into the transphobia and ableism present throughout the whole book, but especially at the end when she discusses Andy's mental health.
According to Jeanine, people with schizophrenia deserve to be locked up forever and people cannot be transgender without being completely delusional and out of touch with reality. Obviously there's a much more evil person involved in this story (Andy Blake), but I would be remiss if I let Jeanine Renne fly under the radar.
If you're going to force yourself through this book, please for the love of GOD buy it secondhand do not give this woman any more money than she already got. But also: you don't need to read this book. If you're interested in the situation, go watch the StrangeAeons videos and check out The Tea Blogger and Kumquat on Tumblr, they have firsthand accounts and you don't have to slog through unnecessary airline details and distracting transphobia.
Everyone who knows this situation knows that she is NOT an unbiased narrator. This is not a journalistic account of the situation, this is a 300 page smear campaign that concludes with the publication of 30ish pages of hobbit channeling chat logs that contain EXTREMELY personal information regarding victims of Andy's that just have no real reason to have ever been published. They add nothing to the story besides illustrating just how intense the manipulation was here, and they are published without the permission of the main person who was being hurt by the whole situation, which just compounds my belief that they should've never been included.
Jeanine barely talks about the cult aspects of this story (the stuff that I, personally, find the most interesting). Mostly, she focused on how much SHE was wronged by this situation; the only people she really cared about aside from herself and her friends were the LOTR celebrities who got roped up in all of this. She displays an extreme lack of empathy for Andy's victims the entire time, and that's not even to get into the transphobia and ableism present throughout the whole book, but especially at the end when she discusses Andy's mental health.
According to Jeanine, people with schizophrenia deserve to be locked up forever and people cannot be transgender without being completely delusional and out of touch with reality. Obviously there's a much more evil person involved in this story (Andy Blake), but I would be remiss if I let Jeanine Renne fly under the radar.
If you're going to force yourself through this book, please for the love of GOD buy it secondhand do not give this woman any more money than she already got. But also: you don't need to read this book. If you're interested in the situation, go watch the StrangeAeons videos and check out The Tea Blogger and Kumquat on Tumblr, they have firsthand accounts and you don't have to slog through unnecessary airline details and distracting transphobia.
August 30, 2024
I would have rated this book higher because it is fascinating. But as others have mentioned there is a lot of unnecessary transphobia (I think it might be acceptable to explain that Jordan is trans and some of the Amy situation, but the nastiness towards Jordan's identity is just horrible.) and the author claims things that they could not possibly know about the mental state of those involved. As a person who has schizoaffective disorder, I found it troubling that the author made assumptions about schizophrenia and psychosis. I also thought it was really weird that she kept thinking different players in the story had something against her because she was a housewife. The author is very biased in her take on the story, but I am in no way saying Jordan Wood isn't a terrible person who did bad things. I am saying it was a little annoying the way the author went about telling the story. But then again it's her story, she can tell it how she wants to, I just think that this should not be the main research people do into this case. I'm torn because I do think people should be warned against interacting with Jordan, but this story could have been written less obnoxiously. Parts of it, like the Hobbit channeling im chat felt unnecessarily voyeuristic, I stopped reading it halfway through because it just felt like it did not matter to the story. I think now that Abbey and the author have talked possibly even reached an unsteady cease-fire. But I might be remembering this wrong. So basically I agree with most of what everyone else is saying.
February 15, 2025
I can really only recommend this to people who have fallen exceptionally far down the Andy Blake rabbit hole. It’s full of long rants about poorly executed event logistics and lawsuits - not to mention the transphobia, which made it even more difficult to get through.
That being said, for anyone interested in the weird hobbit-channeling New Age roleplay aspects of the story, there’s two lengthy chatlogs in the appendix that aren’t posted anywhere else that I could find, not in full.
If you really want to read this, buy it used!
That being said, for anyone interested in the weird hobbit-channeling New Age roleplay aspects of the story, there’s two lengthy chatlogs in the appendix that aren’t posted anywhere else that I could find, not in full.
If you really want to read this, buy it used!
November 24, 2009
I wish it were possible to give a book six stars, something I would do for this one, despite the typos. This gripping account of the nightmare victims of a fake non-profit went through is a must read. For anyone. It serves as a chilling reminder that sociopaths can thrive anywhere, perhaps especially in the confines of a world where few do what the author's signature in my copy advises--"Trust, but verify."
December 26, 2015
Read when I was 13 or so (2003/2004ish, because I got it at the RingCon associated with Return of the King coming out). Meh. Interesting account of how a bunch of fans who wanted to get together and do some good were ripped off. Had a side effect of getting me into angsty fanfic. Still sitting in my room....
September 6, 2024
An important primary-ish source for anyone interested in fandom history, but the transphobia and, at turns, homophobia that’s laced through Jeanine’s writing is really frustrating. I feel like a modicum of self-reflection would’ve saved a lot of this, but as is, I’d only read it if you’re interested in the various nonsense of Andy Blake.
April 12, 2013
I had to take a star off for the lack of polish in the writing, but I'd give it 10 stars for story if I could. "Truth is stranger than fiction," indeed! I've attempted to summarize this story for friends and until they see the book for themselves, they don't believe a word of it.
Want to Read
February 10, 2012Man, I remember when all of this went down. The Lord of the Rings fandom had some crazy times.
January 9, 2021
Definitely interesting to garner more information given that Turimel has locked her livejournal. I prefer Abbeys blog about her version of events and subsequent recovery though.
December 20, 2024
There are two truly vitriolic characters in this “story”. Andy, an unstable young man, and the author herself. This is the most vile thing I have ever read. Not only is the author extremely transphobic and homophobic, but she puts forth the narrative of her harassing and stalking abuse victims as if it makes her look good.
Jeanine, I doubt you’ll ever read this, but on the off chance you do, you’re a horrible person. Your soul is rotten and it cannot be salvaged, and one day you will need to face the consequences of all that you have done.
Jeanine, I doubt you’ll ever read this, but on the off chance you do, you’re a horrible person. Your soul is rotten and it cannot be salvaged, and one day you will need to face the consequences of all that you have done.
July 29, 2025
Persistent and inconsistent transphobia aside, it is refreshing to get an inside look at a Fyre Festival-esque Lord of the Rings themed spiral.
I was wincing through the chat logs in the end, but this was a fascinating event to get to delve into. I would love to hear every point of view that could be offered on this because I still can't wrap my head around it.
Truly, I just feel bad for Sean Astin. If he even caught a whiff of these chat logs or the insanity behind the people holding these events, he probably would have taken a chance on fans that deserved it.
I was wincing through the chat logs in the end, but this was a fascinating event to get to delve into. I would love to hear every point of view that could be offered on this because I still can't wrap my head around it.
Truly, I just feel bad for Sean Astin. If he even caught a whiff of these chat logs or the insanity behind the people holding these events, he probably would have taken a chance on fans that deserved it.
April 9, 2026
Jeanine has a very strong voice and is quite funny. She went totally scorched earth and I love it. However, it is CRAZY transphobic, but considering that Andy aka Jordan aka VB aka Victoria aka Amy had so insanely deceived so many people, I can understand why she thought the gender was apart of it. Overall a good read but minus points for the harmful language.
December 10, 2023
Somehow the author manages to make herself the most unlikable person in this whole mess. She is incredibly transphobic throughout as well
February 7, 2025
You should not have been harassing those abuse victims you vile bitch. Giving them your money was YOUR FAULT.
June 26, 2007
There's a kind of trainwreck quality to this recounting of criminality, obsession, and insanity on the part of a small but vocal subset of online Lord of the Rings fans. The book is not especially well-written, and the author strains at times to make readers see things from her point of view. However, as far as an example of fandom history produced by a fan who is not also part of the academy, this book is an exquisitely well-detailed gem. Any fan who was outside of Lord of the Rings fandom during the time of the Bit of Earth scandal, and who desires to know more about this piece of history, would do well to pick up this book.
Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book to readers who are not online media fans, simply because I think there is enough use of jargon in this book to present a challenge to the uninitiated. But it still stands as a great example of fandom history documented by fans, for fans.
Unfortunately, I would not recommend this book to readers who are not online media fans, simply because I think there is enough use of jargon in this book to present a challenge to the uninitiated. But it still stands as a great example of fandom history documented by fans, for fans.
September 12, 2015
I was familiar with the general outline of this story from online sources when I bought the book, but the sheer insanity of all the gory details make it well worth the read. I found the author's style a little off-putting and obnoxious at times, particularly the structuring of part 1, which makes an already confusing series of events even more difficult to follow (she jumps back and forth between events occurring in the summer and those occurring in the fall, something which doesn't really have whatever dramatic effect she was hoping to achieve). However, the personalities involved in this sordid affair are fascinating enough to make the book quite engrossing even in spite of its writing flaws.
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