About the Author

Tom Shippey taught at Oxford University at the same time as J.R.R. Tolkien and with the same syllabus, which gives him an intimate familiarity with the works that fueled Tolkien's imagination. He subsequently held the chair of English language and medieval literature at Leeds University that Tolkien had previously held.

Reviews

"He is of all writers on Tolkien the one most worth reading" -- David Bratman, Mythprint "Professor Shippey's commentary is the best so far in elucidating Tolkien's lovely myth." Harper's Magazine "Authoritative and timely." Boston Globe "Wonderfully readable...Shippey makes an impressive case for why the creator of Middle-earth is deserving of acclaim." Publishers Weekly "Shippey is a rarity, a scholar well-schooled in critical analysis whose writing is beautifully clear." Minneapolis Star-Tribune "Delightful exploration of the relationship between Tolkien's fiction...scholarly work and the mythical, linguistic and philosiphical history underlying both." Salon "[Tolkien] deserves his full due, and Shippey's appreciative assessment of his unique achievement provides it in full and satisfying measure." Philadelphia Inquirer "Shippey presents a remarkably insightful account of the origins of Tolkien's use of language and myth." The Chicago Tribune "Full of things-we-hadn't-known...As scholarship, it's one of the more enjoyable works I've run across." The San Diego Union-Tribune "[Shippey] deepens your understanding of the work without making you forget your initial, purely instinctive response to Middle-earth and hobbits." The Houston Chronicle "An invaluable study...It illuminates the text and enables the reader to better appreciate the works under discussion." The Washington Times --

Shippey, an expert on Old English literature and the author of The Road to Middle Earth, has written a critical appreciation of the popular creator of The Hobbit and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The subtitle refers to Tolkien's ability to write about concerns of the 20th century (evil, religion, etc.) in stories that at first glance seem to be mere fantasy. Shippey examines Tolkien's published and many unfinished works (such as The Silmarillion), as well as the shorter poems and stories. He convincingly argues that Tolkien deserves to be ranked as a major literary figure. Shippey also castigates those critics, the so-called literati, for their vituperative and ill-informed attacks on Tolkien's reputation and achievements. This study is definitely not an introduction to the "Rings" books; because of the detailed readings on the major and minor works, it should be read by those who have already enjoyed the titles surveyed. Recommended for all public libraries, especially in the wake of the upcoming film version of "The Lord of the Rings"; undergraduate academic libraries will also want to obtain this fine work of criticism. Morris Hounion, New York City Technical Coll. Lib., CUNY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.