Since Tolkien didn’t care for source criticism, or people spending hours trying to decide where he got his ideas, it seems strange that this book should come together. The author makes it clear from the beginning that there is indeed value in wondering what influences might have been present when Tolkien wrote his most famous work. One of the most valid reasons to me is that the time period has changed, education has changed, and the world has changed. We aren’t as familiar today with the lit More...

This is a must read book for all lovers of Tolkien and related literature and studies. I am working on a larger review of this book which I will post. Jason Fisher has put together a book that is not only an excellent study of the types of source materials Tolkien used to cook his "soup" but also has given us a "how to" manual on how to work with source materials and how they may have or not influenced Tolkien. This is a book I will refer to many times and have already rea More...

"Tolkien and a Study of His Sources" is a collection of essays written by current Tolkien scholars, reflecting on different works and authors who may have influenced Tolkien. Three introductory chapters (written by Tom Shippey, E. Risden and Jason Fisher) address source criticism itself, to give the reader a better understanding of the topic. Included among the Tolkien topics addressed are: Biblical and Mesopotamian sources, ancient Greek myths and stories, Byzantium and Gondor, Angl More...

So far, I'm enjoying this one. When I finish reading it, the review of this book will appear on the Sleeping Hedgehog: http://www.sleepinghedgehog.com