{"product_id":"the-origins-of-tolkiens-middle-earth-for-dummies-isbn-9780764541865","title":"The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies","description":"J.R.R. Tolkien's novels of Middle-earth – \u003ci\u003eThe Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings\u003c\/i\u003e trilogy\u003ci\u003e,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Silmarillian\u003c\/i\u003e – have become some of the most famous, and most beloved, literary works of the twentieth century. And the \u003ci\u003eLord of the Rings\u003c\/i\u003e films by director Peter Jackson have re-ignited interest in Tolkien and his works, as well as introduced his stories to a new generation of fans.  \u003cp\u003eEven if you've never read the novels and have only seen the films, you know that the world of Middle-earth is a complicated one. Tolkien took great care in representing this world, from creating new languages to including very particular cultural details that add to the richness of the world's fabric. Many other books have been written about Tolkien and his works, but none have come close to providing the kind of reference needed to comprehend the world of Middle-earth. That's what veteran \u003ci\u003eDummies\u003c\/i\u003e author and unabashed Tolkien fan Greg Harvey attempts to do in \u003ci\u003eThe Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs the author says in his introduction to the book, this is not an encyclopedia or quick guide to all the diverse beings, languages, and history that make up Tolkien's Middle-earth. Nor is it a set of plot outlines for the novels. Rather, what you'll find in \u003ci\u003eThe Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e is a basic guide to some of the possible linguistic and mythological origins of Middle-earth, plus a rudimentary analysis of its many themes and lessons for our world. This book can help enrich your reading (or re-reading) of Tolkien's novels, and it will challenge you to think about the themes inherent in Tolkien's Middle-earth and their implications in your own life.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHere's just a sampling of the topics you'll find covered in \u003ci\u003eThe Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExploring the main themes in Tolkien's works, including immortality and death; the heroic quest; love; fate and free will; and faith and redemption\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eInvestigating the diverse lands of Middle-earth – including the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor – and their significance\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExamining the different cultures of Middle-earth, such as Hobbits, Elves, Men, and those wily Wizards\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTouring the history of Middle-earth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eUnderstanding Tolkien's creation of new languages to enrich the story of Middle-earth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTop Ten lists on the battles in the War of the Ring, online resources, and the ways the films differ from the novels\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eSo, whether you're reading Tolkien's novels or watching the films for the first time, or you've been a fan for many years and are looking for a new take on Tolkien's works, \u003ci\u003eThe Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e can help you enhance your reading or viewing experience for years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForeword xvii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I: The Geography of Middle-earth 7\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 1: The Worlds of Middle-earth 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 2: The Lands of Middle-earth and Beyond 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II: The Beings of Middle-earth 45\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 3: The Divine Ainur 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 4: The Fair Race of Elves 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 5: The Mortal Race of Men 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 6: The Hardy Race of Dwarves 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 7: Those Homespun Hobbits 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 8: The Wily Wizards 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 9: Beorn, Tom Bombadil, and Treebeard 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 10: The Enemy and His Minions 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart III: The History of Middle-earth 167\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 11: The Valarian Ages 169\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 12: The First Three Ages and Then Some 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart IV: The Languages of Middle-earth 187\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 13: Tolkien and Language 189\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 14: The Tongues of Tolkien 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart V: The Themes and Mythology of Middle-earth 211\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 15: The Struggle Between Good and Evil 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 16: Immortality and Death 219\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 17: The Heroic Quest 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 18: Chivalry and True Love 247\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 19: Fate and Free Will 257\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 20: Faith and Redemption 269\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 21: Ring-related Myths 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 22: Ecological Themes 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 23: Sex and Gender 293\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart VI: The Part of Tens 301\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 24: Top Ten Battles in the War of the Ring 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 25: Top Ten Online Middle-earth Resources 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter 26: Top Ten Ways The Lord of the Rings Books Differ from the Movies 313\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 319\u003c\/p\u003e  \"...a great book...helps readers make sense of the creatures, language, geography and richly-detailed history of Middle earth...\" (\u003ci\u003eShields Gazette\u003c\/i\u003e, Dec 03)  \u003cp\u003e\"...a mine of information?a must-have for anyone interested in exploring the epic tales of the four ages of Middle earth...\" (\u003ci\u003eDundee Evening Telegraph and Post\u003c\/i\u003e, Dec 03)\u003c\/p\u003e Greg Harvey is a language scholar who has traced the roots of Tolkien’s work in European folklore and pre-Christian religious beliefs. He has studied 12 languages, including Elvish, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon.   Demystifies key players, their relationships, and their motivations  \u003cp\u003eUnderstand the mythology, characters, and themes of Middle-earth\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDon’t know Gollum from Gandalf? This plain-English guide helps you make sense of the creatures, language, geography, and richly detailed history of the fascinating world of Middle-earth. From the Shire to Mount Doom, from the hobbits to the Ringwraiths, you’ll discover the varied sources and inspirations behind Tolkien’s stories and comprehend the meanings that lie beneath the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscover:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe differences between the books and the movies\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe historical background of Middle-earth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe origins of Tolkien’s mythology in European folklore\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMiddle-earth’s diverse languages\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhy the Elves were Tolkien’s favorites\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Dummies Way\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplanations in plain English\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\"Get in, get out\" information\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIcons and other navigational aids\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTear-out cheat sheet\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eTop ten lists\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA dash of humor and fun\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"For Dummies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990306177253,"sku":"NP9780764541865","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780764541865.jpg?v=1761787285","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-origins-of-tolkiens-middle-earth-for-dummies-isbn-9780764541865","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}