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Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings: A Guide to Middle-earth
This absorbing guide to the mind behind Middle-earth will introduce or remind readers of the abundance that exists in Tolkien's thought and imagination. †
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Colin Duriez
39 books54 followersColin Duriez is an English writer and scholar best known for his work on the Inklings, the literary circle that included C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams. Born in Derbyshire in 1947, he moved to Leicester in 1983 to work as a commissioning editor for the publisher IVP. Over the years he has combined editorial work with teaching, and in 2002 he established his own business, InWriting, in Keswick, Cumbria, providing writing and editorial services as well as book acquisition for publishers.
Winner of the Clyde S. Kilby Award in 1994 for his research on the Inklings, Duriez has been praised as one of the most valuable contemporary scholars on Lewis. His numerous books explore the lives, friendships, and imaginative worlds of Lewis and Tolkien, including Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien, and the Shadow of Evil, The Oxford Inklings, and Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship. His work has been lauded for accessibility, scholarly insight, and fresh perspectives.
Duriez has also appeared in television documentaries such as A Quest for Meaning – Myth, Imagination & Faith in the Literature of J. R. R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis. He lives in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Winner of the Clyde S. Kilby Award in 1994 for his research on the Inklings, Duriez has been praised as one of the most valuable contemporary scholars on Lewis. His numerous books explore the lives, friendships, and imaginative worlds of Lewis and Tolkien, including Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien, and the Shadow of Evil, The Oxford Inklings, and Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship. His work has been lauded for accessibility, scholarly insight, and fresh perspectives.
Duriez has also appeared in television documentaries such as A Quest for Meaning – Myth, Imagination & Faith in the Literature of J. R. R. Tolkien & C. S. Lewis. He lives in Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 17, 2019
Colin Duriez is the author of many books on Tolkien, such as `JRR Tolkien: the making of a legend' and `The Inklings handbook' with David Porter. Colin goes behind the myth and the magic to reveal the great mind behind Middle-Earth, and the abundance which exists in Tolkien's thought and imagination. As a devoted reader of JRR Tolkien's works; (from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to books written about him as a writer, master myth-maker and academic), I was equally enchanted by this book.
This absorbing guide is an essential read for all who have read `The Lord of the Rings' and who have been spellbound by the magical places, creatures and languages. Here, Colin Duriez deftly interweaves the history of his most popular work, the key themes, concepts and images in Tolkien's work; the people, and places in his life, and his other writings. At the very heart of this book is an indispensable A-Z of Middle-Earth, with detailed entries on beings, places, things and events. This is a welcome addition to any Tolkien reader's bookshelf, for it unquestionably highlights the genius in one man's creation thus making you want to re-read `the lord of the rings' again and again!
This absorbing guide is an essential read for all who have read `The Lord of the Rings' and who have been spellbound by the magical places, creatures and languages. Here, Colin Duriez deftly interweaves the history of his most popular work, the key themes, concepts and images in Tolkien's work; the people, and places in his life, and his other writings. At the very heart of this book is an indispensable A-Z of Middle-Earth, with detailed entries on beings, places, things and events. This is a welcome addition to any Tolkien reader's bookshelf, for it unquestionably highlights the genius in one man's creation thus making you want to re-read `the lord of the rings' again and again!
August 5, 2020
این کتاب در چهار قسمت تنظیم شده.
در قسمت اول زندگی نامه ی بسیار مختصری از تالکین آورده شده به همراه گاهشمار مهم ترین وقایع. نکته ی جالبی که در این قسمت بهش اشاره شده اینه که تالکین وقتی تصمیم به نوشتن ارباب حلقه ها می گیره، در چاپ های بعدی هابیت تغییراتی می ده. من تقریبا مطمئنم همه ی ما نسخه ی با تغییرات رو خوندیم. برای همین به نظرم خوندن نسخه ی اولیه هابیت جالب باشه.
در قسمت دوم، خلاصه ی داستان هابیت و ارباب حلقه ها ارائه شده به همراه گاهشمار وقایع که اتفاقا بسیار جذاب از آب دراومده. بعد هم توضیحاتی در مورد ارتباط سیلماریلیون با هابیت و ارباب حلقه ها نوشته شده. اگر می خواید بدونید این همه هیاهو بر سر چیه، می تونید این قسمت رو مطالعه بفرمایید.
در قسمت سوم، یعنی قسمت مورد علاقه ی من، یک فهرست اعلام از مهم ترین شخصیت ها و مکان ها و وقایع سرزمین میانه با توضیحات کافی آورده شده که انصافا خیلی محشره. مطمئنا بارها می خونمش.
قسمت آخر هم به معانی و تفاسیر دنیای تالکین اختصاص داره با تاکید بر اندیشه های مسیحیت. از حوصله ی من خارج بود البته و صرفا ورقش زدم! اما احتمالا بعدا بر می گردم و می خونمش.
در کل کتاب جالبیه. پیشنهاد می شود.
در قسمت اول زندگی نامه ی بسیار مختصری از تالکین آورده شده به همراه گاهشمار مهم ترین وقایع. نکته ی جالبی که در این قسمت بهش اشاره شده اینه که تالکین وقتی تصمیم به نوشتن ارباب حلقه ها می گیره، در چاپ های بعدی هابیت تغییراتی می ده. من تقریبا مطمئنم همه ی ما نسخه ی با تغییرات رو خوندیم. برای همین به نظرم خوندن نسخه ی اولیه هابیت جالب باشه.
در قسمت دوم، خلاصه ی داستان هابیت و ارباب حلقه ها ارائه شده به همراه گاهشمار وقایع که اتفاقا بسیار جذاب از آب دراومده. بعد هم توضیحاتی در مورد ارتباط سیلماریلیون با هابیت و ارباب حلقه ها نوشته شده. اگر می خواید بدونید این همه هیاهو بر سر چیه، می تونید این قسمت رو مطالعه بفرمایید.
در قسمت سوم، یعنی قسمت مورد علاقه ی من، یک فهرست اعلام از مهم ترین شخصیت ها و مکان ها و وقایع سرزمین میانه با توضیحات کافی آورده شده که انصافا خیلی محشره. مطمئنا بارها می خونمش.
قسمت آخر هم به معانی و تفاسیر دنیای تالکین اختصاص داره با تاکید بر اندیشه های مسیحیت. از حوصله ی من خارج بود البته و صرفا ورقش زدم! اما احتمالا بعدا بر می گردم و می خونمش.
در کل کتاب جالبیه. پیشنهاد می شود.
January 30, 2020
It was eh. Didn't give me anything new. I seriously skipped part of it because I have another book that covers that section in more detail.
September 8, 2022
NOTE: marked as read, but it's a reference. I haven't read every page, but with "The Rings of Power" I'm referring to it often for information.
August 21, 2024
Extensa guía separada en secciones donde se repasa la vida y la obra de Tolkien. Buen libro de referencia para sus incondicionales.
May 10, 2013
A fascinating insight into a magical world which has gone down in history as nothing short of ‘epic’
Colin Duriez is the author of many books on Tolkien, such as ‘JRR Tolkien: the making of a legend’ and ‘The Inklings handbook’ with David Porter. Colin goes behind the myth and the magic to reveal the great mind behind Middle-Earth, and the abundance which exists in Tolkien’s thought and imagination. As a devoted reader of JRR Tolkien’s works; (from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to books written about him as a writer, master myth-maker and academic), I was equally enchanted by this book.
This absorbing guide is an essential read for all who have read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and who have been spellbound by the magical places, creatures and languages. Here, Colin Duriez deftly interweaves the history of his most popular work, the key themes, concepts and images in Tolkien’s work; the people, and places in his life, and his other writings. At the very heart of this book is an indispensable A-Z of Middle-Earth, with detailed entries on beings, places, things and events. This is a welcome addition to any Tolkien reader’s bookshelf, for it unquestionably highlights the genius in one man’s creation thus making you want to re-read ‘the lord of the rings’ again and again!
This is a companion guide, which similarly to David Day’s Tolkien Encyclopedia (or Tolkien Bestiary), contains an insight into Middle-Earth in general.
”Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them?”
~ J R R Tolkien
“The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last...The great battle of our time.”
~ J R R Tolkien
3.5 stars review
Colin Duriez is the author of many books on Tolkien, such as ‘JRR Tolkien: the making of a legend’ and ‘The Inklings handbook’ with David Porter. Colin goes behind the myth and the magic to reveal the great mind behind Middle-Earth, and the abundance which exists in Tolkien’s thought and imagination. As a devoted reader of JRR Tolkien’s works; (from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to books written about him as a writer, master myth-maker and academic), I was equally enchanted by this book.
This absorbing guide is an essential read for all who have read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and who have been spellbound by the magical places, creatures and languages. Here, Colin Duriez deftly interweaves the history of his most popular work, the key themes, concepts and images in Tolkien’s work; the people, and places in his life, and his other writings. At the very heart of this book is an indispensable A-Z of Middle-Earth, with detailed entries on beings, places, things and events. This is a welcome addition to any Tolkien reader’s bookshelf, for it unquestionably highlights the genius in one man’s creation thus making you want to re-read ‘the lord of the rings’ again and again!
This is a companion guide, which similarly to David Day’s Tolkien Encyclopedia (or Tolkien Bestiary), contains an insight into Middle-Earth in general.
”Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them?”
~ J R R Tolkien
“The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last...The great battle of our time.”
~ J R R Tolkien
3.5 stars review
April 4, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
October 12, 2014
Has a good information altought many of it I already knew.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews