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J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man Behind the Hobbits
Millions of readers and movie fans worldwide know Bilbo Baggins. The title character of The Hobbit, and featured in The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo and his world of elves, dwarves, orcs, and men has captured the imaginations of several subsequent generations. Bilbo’s adventures in Middle-Earth make for a powerful story of friendship and good versus evil.
But while Bilbo feels like an old friend, what do you know of his creator? J.R.R. Tolkien is only a name to many people. However, his genius for language and storytelling in the midst of the 20th century’s violence and upheaval make for a powerful story. Tolkien’s life journey is an adventure in itself, as seen in J.R.R. Tolkien: The man behind the Hobbits.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Tolkien: Man Behind the Myth - Bradley J. Birzer
The Most Married Man
Chapter 2: Good and Evil in Middle-earth - Ralph C. Wood
A Niggling Art
Chapter 3: A Feeling for Language - Tom Shippey
Chapter 4: Sacramental Imagination - Thomas Howard
Chapter 5: An Unexpected Party - Michael Foster
The “Idol” Speaks
Chapter 6: Little Windows into Tolkien’s Life and Work - Chris Armstrong and Steven Gertz
Chapter 7: A Gallery of the Inklings - Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Thomas Howard, and Edwin Tait
Chapter 8: The Christian Humanists - Joseph Pearce
Chapter 9: Tollers and Jack - Colin Duriez
Chapter 10: One Truth, Many Tales - David Mills
Epilogue: Meeting Professor Tolkien - Clyde S. Kilby
Appendix 1: Timeline
Appendix 2: Recommended Resources
More Essentials!
But while Bilbo feels like an old friend, what do you know of his creator? J.R.R. Tolkien is only a name to many people. However, his genius for language and storytelling in the midst of the 20th century’s violence and upheaval make for a powerful story. Tolkien’s life journey is an adventure in itself, as seen in J.R.R. Tolkien: The man behind the Hobbits.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Tolkien: Man Behind the Myth - Bradley J. Birzer
The Most Married Man
Chapter 2: Good and Evil in Middle-earth - Ralph C. Wood
A Niggling Art
Chapter 3: A Feeling for Language - Tom Shippey
Chapter 4: Sacramental Imagination - Thomas Howard
Chapter 5: An Unexpected Party - Michael Foster
The “Idol” Speaks
Chapter 6: Little Windows into Tolkien’s Life and Work - Chris Armstrong and Steven Gertz
Chapter 7: A Gallery of the Inklings - Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Thomas Howard, and Edwin Tait
Chapter 8: The Christian Humanists - Joseph Pearce
Chapter 9: Tollers and Jack - Colin Duriez
Chapter 10: One Truth, Many Tales - David Mills
Epilogue: Meeting Professor Tolkien - Clyde S. Kilby
Appendix 1: Timeline
Appendix 2: Recommended Resources
More Essentials!
- GenresBiography
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 29, 2022
This is a short introduction to Tolkien. Its structure is a bit awkward, thus a rating of three stars.
October 19, 2015
A fine collection of short essays by eminent Tolkien scholars. It does not contain much that would be unknown to a Tolkien fan, but is a good read nevertheless. Comparisons between Tolkien and other Christian writers are particularly interesting, and they may be a good starting point, helping the reader to discover classic literature with similar values as Tolkien's.
November 25, 2015
Good biography
This is a good biography of Tolkien. It is well researched, and the information is organized in a good fashion.
This is a good biography of Tolkien. It is well researched, and the information is organized in a good fashion.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews