The Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien : The Places that Inspired Middle-earth

Resumen del libro

This new book from renowned Tolkien expert John Garth investigates the places that inspired the Lord of the Rings author to create his fictional locations and other aspects of Middle-earth. Featuring more than 100 images, it includes Tolkien's own illustrations, contributions from other artists, archive images, maps and spectacular present-day photographs. Inspirational locations range across Great Britain - particularly Tolkien's beloved West Midlands and Oxford - but also overseas to all points of the compass.

Sources are located for Hobbiton, the elven valley of Rivendell, the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep, and many other key spots in Middle-earth, as well as for its mountain scenery, forests, rivers, lakes and shorelands. A rich interplay is revealed between Tolkien's personal travels, his wide reading and his deep scholarship as an Oxford professor. Garth uses his own profound knowledge of Tolkien's life and work to uncover the extraordinary processes of invention, to debunk popular misconceptions about the inspirations for Middle-earth, and to put forward strong new claims of his own.

Organised by theme, The World's of J.R.R. Tolkien offers an illustrated journey into the life and imagination of one of the world's best-loved authors, an exploration of the relationship between worlds real and fantastical, and an inspiration for anyone who wants to follow in Tolkien's footsteps.

Biografía del autor

John Garth estudió literatura inglesa en Oxford y ha dedicado su vida al periodismo. Su devoción por el trabajo de Tolkien y un particular interés por la primera guerra mundial han alimentado los cinco años de investigación dedicados a Tolkien y la Gran Guerra. Su libro ha ganado el premio Mythopoeic de ensayo que se otorga a los estudios académicos sobre los Inklings y su obra, y ha sido publicado en Reino Unido, Estados Unidos, Francia, Alemania, Italia y China.