The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-Earth for Dummies

Demystifies key players, their relationships, and their motivations Understand the mythology, characters, and themes of Middle-earth Don 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. Discover: The differences between the books and the movies The historical background of Middle-earth The origins of Tolkien s mythology in European folklore Middle-earth s diverse languages Why the Elves were Tolkien s favorites The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English " Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun