Lightning from a Clear Sky: Tolkien, the Trilogy and the Silmarillon

by Richard Mathews

When The Fellowship of the Rings first appeared in 1954, C.S. Lewis exclaimed: "It's like lightning from a clear sky!" The book was not an immediate success, not did its author expect it to be. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a retiring Oxford professor who wrote his fantasies to entertain himself, his family, and his friends, and who really was not interested in bestseller status, or the fame of his own work. The publication of the first part of the Trilogy was followed by its sequels (actually parts of a single unified whole), The Two Towers (1954) and The Return of the King (1955), all of which were later combined in one volume as The Lord of the Rings. The books did moderately well until issued in paperback form (1965), when they suddenly became cult items for the college youth of the Sixties, and began selling millions instead of thousands. Richard Mathews examines the entire span of Tolkien's fiction, from his early prequel, The Hobbit (1937), to the last posthumous culmination of his work, The Silmarillion (1977), collected and edited by Christopher Tolkien from his father's papers.

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Richard Mathews was a distinguished publisher, educator, and champion of book arts whose career spanned decades at the University of Tampa Press. As Director, he published over 100 books, cultivating the Press’s reputation for excellence in contemporary literature, book arts, and regional history. A meticulous editor and designer, he combined a deep knowledge of printmaking with a passion for mentoring colleagues and students, inspiring countless individuals to appreciate the craft of bookmaking.
In 2008, Richard founded the Tampa Book Arts Studio, directing it until 2020. The studio preserved historical letterpress traditions and offered visitors hands-on experiences with 19th- and early 20th-century presses. His dedication extended to preserving historical typefaces, such as Frederic Goudy’s Companion, and producing rare works including Julius J. Lankes’ The Rich Mouse. Richard generously donated the studio’s extensive library of over 10,000 items, representing more than 600 presses, to UT’s Macdonald-Kelce Library.
Richard also transformed Tampa Review into an internationally recognized multi-genre journal, publishing writers such as Derek Walcott and Peter Meinke while nurturing emerging authors through programs like AWP’s Intro Journals Project. Over 34 years at UT, he taught courses in book arts, literature, poetry, Tolkien studies, and academic writing, providing students with hands-on printing and design experience.
In addition to his editorial and teaching work, Richard published poetry collections, including A Mummery and Numbery, and authored Fantasy: The Liberation of Imagination. His scholarship and artistry left an enduring mark on literature, publishing, and the university community, creating a legacy of passion, mentorship, and dedication to the art of the book.