This chronologically-organized bibliography provides a list (sometimes descriptive, sometimes not) of Tolkien criticism up through 1984. It also contains brief bibliographical entries for Tolkien's own published works. Needless to say, the overwhelming majority of listings pertain to Tolkien's fiction-- especially his masterwork, _The Lord of the Rings_. However, it does include reviews and responses to his more scholarly publications (for example, it lists reviews of his and Gordon's edition of _Sir Gawain & the Green Knight_ as well as responses to his articles "Chaucer as Philologist" and "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics"). In terms of its comprehensiveness, this book is far more thorough than any other Tolkien criticism bibliographies (e.g Richard C. West's). Johnson is to be praised for including articles that appeared in the major Tolkien fanzines (Mythlore, Orcrist, Amon Hen, Minas Tirith Evening Star, Seven, etc.) and for including information on which university libraries actually have these periodicals. However, it should be noted that her survey of these fanzines is not comprehensive-- reviews of secondary works about Tolkien that appeared in fanzines are not generally listed and there are some even more obscure items that got left out here. Some of those missing, in fairness, are really minor self-published items and are extremeley rare and obscure-- things that only had 100-issue runs and only lasted 1-2 issues. While unlikely to be found even in excellent research libraries, many of them are available for consultation in the Marquette University Special Collections (which has a very large collection of Tolkieniana). If a second edition of this essential bibliography ever appears (and one should-- it's been almost two decades since the first one!)-- I hope it includes not only post-1984 material, but also some more fanzine content from these obscurities.

For a long time, Tolkien scholarship has had an uneven character. This isn't the time or place to explain why or give examples, but the appearance of this book, along with the recently published _Tolkien's Legendarium_, suggests that things may be changing and for the better. This collection of a dozen essays, all written by top-notch Tolkien scholars, possesses the highest degree of intellectual rigor and operates within a genuinely scholarly framework of interpretation. (You won't find any fan fluff here!)

The essays may be loosely divided into three main sections. The first comprises essays on the poetics and sources of Tolkien's fiction. The standouts here are Sullivan's "Tolkien the Bard", which suggests and that Tolkien's style may be best understood as an application of oral poetry and orally told story to written medium, and "The Dragon-Lore of Middle-Earth", which takes a close look at what Tolkien took from medieval (and specifically Norse) dragon stories and how he specifically adapted the material to his own purpose. The articles on Tolkien's verse and on his use of _Sir Gawain and the Green Knight_is also quite insightful.

The second section tends to be 'comparative' and places Tolkien and his work in juxtaposition with other authors. The most intriguing article here is one that compares Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" with the Sir Philip Sydney's "In Defence of Poetry". What is so exciting about this is not so much the comparison of Tolkien's 'story theory' with that of Sydney, but the analysis of how, for Tolkien, creative writing-- and indeed the very act of subcreation itself-- is gendered masculine. Other articles touch on Tolkie and Lewis, _The Hobbit_ and _King Solomons Mines_, and Tolkien and Milton.

The third and final section is a more eclectic hodgepodge of articles on different subjects, ranging from Tolkien's legacy (and in particular, the ways in which female fantasy-writers have adopted, adapted, and responded to the overwhelming and masculine "shadow of the Ring"), to the elegeic quality of Tolkien's fiction and its concernw ith loss, to the nature of evil, to Tolkien's literary treatment of trees. Of all of these, the last, written by Verlyn Flieger is the most illuminating and advances the most excitin argument. Flieger carefully notes that the representation of trees and forests in _Lord of the Rings_ is *not* so universally favorable and sympathetic. By juxtaposing the Old Forest (and Old Man Willow) with Fangorn Forest (and the Ents), Flieger shows that this issue is more complex, ambiguous, and filled with internal tensions than has generally been assumed. It is, perhaps, the most important essay in this collection-- and may represent Flieger's finest work yet as a Tolkien scholar.

This is an academic book, published by a smaller press, so it's got a hefty pricetag on it-- but it's an outstanding collection of new Tolkien scholarship and I unqualifiedly recommend it to any serious Tolkien scholars. Those with an aversion to scholarly inquiry (a la _Tolkien's Legendarium_) and who prefer more fannish modes of discourse(e. g._Visualizing Middle-Earth_), however, might want to give this a pass.

Interesting, very intersting. If you have ever wondered what made J.R.R. Tolkien write his epic master piece, or are curious about what he was like growing up, this book is a must fo you. Of course being a biography it can be a bit dull at times, but so what that how life is boy! This book afirmed that the respect and admiration I have for J.R.R. Tolkein was not just me blowing his importance out of proportion, for he truly always has, and always will be, a master of fantasy!

Review of John Wesley's "Life and Ethics"  by Ronald H. Stone After thirty years of teaching at a Presbyterian Seminary,  Professor Ronald Stone has returned to his Methodist roots with his latest book. Ronald grew up in Dakota City, Iowa and learned about the Christian faith at the Humboldt Methodist Church.  He went to Morningside College and served the Methodist Church at Salix.  Later he attended Union Seminary, Columbia, and Oxford.   He is now an active member of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After spending a Sabbatical at Oxford in 1999 studying the works of John Wesley, Ronald wrote his book on Wesley's social ethic.  While the book is intended primarily for  United Methodist Pastors and scholars, United Methodist lay people who read the book will  learn a great deal about the life of John Wesley, the historical context in which he lived and his theology and ethics.  The book discusses Wesley's views on war, the slave trade, women, marriage, economics, social work, power, freedom, poverty and wealth and going on to perfection. Throughout the book Stone compares  Wesley's thought to the ethics of the Niebuhrs  Tillich, and liberation theology. In his conclusion Stone writes "We learn... from Wesley there is no adequate Christian self disengaged from others in religious society and there is no adequate Christian character not involved in the social reform of its day."   The paperback book is published by Abingdon Press and is available at Cokesbury [...]. This review was written by Rev. Hugh R. Stone, Pastor of the Waukee United Methodist Church.

This book presents an excellent interpretation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkein. It adds an interesting prespective on his stories, as well as his life. This is a must have for any true Tolien fan! Peace.

This collection of Sasse's essay written between 1927-1939 are thus particularly fascinating and enlightening as the context of the Nazi regime and intro to American Christianity way heavy on the author.

Here one will discover what it truly means to confess one's faith in light of pressure and temptation. Thus, the lonely way.

Confessional words from this studied church historian and exegete and ecumenist pour forth on observation of his own ecclesiastical scene as well as ours here in the States.

The opening essay is fascinating, since it entails Sasse's initial visit to America. His comments are penetrating and analytical, e.g. "This churchliness of life has a down side to be sure: the secularization of the church. ... Tkhey have opened their doors in part to modern civilization, which has endangered the purity and depth of the faith. Here is the reason for that superficiality of American church life which repulses us Germans." "The consequence of this, along with the concurrent leveling effect of American life, is an elimination of confessional anthitheses. .... All this has created a common religious atmosphere, in which the confessional lines are blurred. Thus fighting has been replaced by cooperation, one of the great American catchwords."

Delivered in 1928, an essay on the church as body of Christ is yet another of Sasse's confessional themes, strongly confessing the Lutheran substance of sacramental presence of Christ: "The church is the body of Christ, is identical with the body of Christ, which is really present in the Lord's Supper. The participation in the body and blood of Christ present in the Lord's Supper is synonymous with membership in his body."

Instructive thoughts and admonitions which provide more than ample reflective thought of their adaptation and input to current theological issues and ponderings.

A valuable resource for the church of the Reformation and those interested in listening in on this timeless saint of the Lord's literary output.

The only book with all the paintings and drawing by J.R.R Tolkien. Discover visually the author's own idea about his world. Moreover, it's a very beautiful book : the cover is nice and the drawings are awesome

This book presents an excellent interpretation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkein. It adds an interesting prespective on his stories, as well as his life. This is a must have for any true Tolien fan! Peace.

this is the greatest book i have ever read. it was a very factual and fascinating book, and i would reccomend it to anyone who likes Tolkien

The last book published by Raymond E Brown prior to his death, it combines serious scholarship and prayerful reflection on the author of the Fourth gospel. The reader gets the feeling that Brown knew the "beloved disciple" on a personal basis. Many of the insights he shares about the community of the beloved disciple and the significance of the Fourth Gospel are profound and deeply moving. A book that is a real page turner.