J.R.R.Tolkien

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reader-friendly fascinating erudition - Rated
if it had not been for the 'extras' on the dvd of jackson's LOTR, i would never have heard of tom shippey. however, i was impressed with what he said and how he said it, so i went searching online to see what books he had written. i found this one, among others, and am very glad i bought it. it is learnèd and erudite without being pompous or arrogant and he clearly knows his subject extremely well. his knowledge is far-ranging and his insights into JRRT and middle earth are fascinating.

Accessible yet nonetheless engages deeply with its subject - Rated
Tom Shippey has thought deeply about Tolkien's motivation in his fantasy writings and has a philologists's insight into the topic.  Accessibly written though it is, this book demands some serious thinking on the part of the reader to extract the full benefit of the author's scholarship.  One dimension of Tolkien's inspiration that is surprisingly little investigated here is his Catholicism but even so there's meat enough for the serious Tolkien afficianado.

The book that makes you want to read more - Rated
Tom Shippey has produced a masterpiece justification of why J.R.R.Tolkien deserves the honor of the title "Author of the Century", not only in the U.K. but on a worldwide basis. While many great books were published in the 20th century none were written by an author as time restrricted as Tolkien. To go one better, besides the magnificent "Lord of the Rings" he found time to write everything from simple poems & short stories to the world loved "The Hobbit". We also learned from the "History of Middle-Earth" series the voluminous amount of background material he developed to guarantee the LotR was as completely believeable with regard to real time, inserting sub-stories with the main text, creating languages for the different races. etc.

The area in which I found this book to shine is Mr.Shippey's referrals to numerous books by many authors which support, or are dismisssed as they relate to, Tolkien and/or his works. Most of all he actually made me want to go and reread many of the books he references, which was both a delight & a burdomsome task. For all the books I've read that relate to J.R.R.Tolkien and/or his works I can honestly say that this one stands out as the best I've read in recent times & from the size of my library that's quite a praise to award.

Interesting analysis of The Hobbit and LOTR - Rated
Not really biographical, more a critical analysis of Tolkeins works. Pro Tolkein without being hagiographic this book is interesting and perceptive and brought out quite a few points which I had never considered. Well worth reading.

'In a hole in the ground lived a hobbit' - Rated
I just wish it was my blank page in my english exam that Tolkien wrote those infamous words. These have begun a journey which all Tolkien fans have followed. Tom Shippey has the ability to approach the Tolkien books differently and at the same time answer many of those ideological doubts. My view of Boromir is different now and of Gollom where upon I am more sympathetic. This book binds the writings together and gives an excellent understanding of Middle Earth.