Books like Tolkien by Cathy McIlwaine

Bilbo Baggins, a humble hobbit, embarks on an unexpected adventure with a dwarf company to recover dragon‑guarded treasure, facing trolls, goblins, elves, a giant spider, and the fearsome dragon Smaug.

An epic account of Middle‑earth’s ancient past, detailing its creation, the famed Silmarils, and the rise of Morgoth and Sauron.

The Lord of the Rings follows a fellowship of diverse companions across Middle‑earth as they seek to destroy a powerful ring that threatens all life.

The Children of Húrin tells the tragic saga of Turin and Nienor, children of Húrin, set in Middle‑earth before The Lord of the Rings.

A biographical study of J.R.R. Tolkien drawn from his personal papers and the memories of friends and family, offering insight into the life behind the legend without critical judgment of his fiction.

A comprehensive study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s visual artistry, documenting his early sketches, illustrations for Middle‑earth novels, decorative lettering, and book design.

"J.R.R. Tolkien responded to critics who saw The Lord of the Rings as a reaction to the Second World War. Tolkien and the Great War tells for the first time the full story of how he embarked on the creation of Middle-earth in his youth as the world around him was plunged into catastrophe. This biography reveals the horror and heroism that he experienced as a signals officer in the Battle of the Somme and introduces the circle of friends who spurred his mythology into life. It shows how, after two of these brilliant young men were killed, Tolkien pursued the dream they all shared by launching his epic of good and evil." "This is the first substantially new biography of Tolkien since 1977, meticulously researched and distilled from his personal wartime papers and a multitude of other sources." "John Garth argues that the foundation of tragic experience in the First World War is the key to Middle-earth's enduring power. Tolkien used his mythic imagination not to escape from reality but to reflect and transform the cataclysm of his generation. While his contemporaries surrendered to disillusionment, he kept enchantment alive, reshaping an entire literary tradition into a form that resonates to this day."--BOOK JACKET.

"John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a brilliant writer who continues to leave his imaginative imprint on the mind and hearts of readers. He was once called the "creative equivalent of a people," and for more than sixty years his Middle-earth tales have captivated and delighted readers of all ages from all over the world. The Hobbit has long been recognized as a children's fantasy classic, and the heroic romance the Lord of the Rings has been called the most influential story of all time. These stories have sold over 150 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over forty languages, and they, along with works such as the Silmarillion and the History of Middle-Earth, have convinced scores of readers and critics that Tolkien is the master writer of fantasy. Whether you've been a fan for years or you've just recently been hooked by the blockbuster Lord of the Rings movies, "I Am in Fact a Hobbit" is an excellent starting point into the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Book jacket."--Jacket.

Describes the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, creator of Middle Earth and author of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings."

"The Road to Middle-earth, Tom Shippey's classic work, now revised and expanded in paperback explores J.R.R. Tolkien's creativity and the sources of his inspiration. Shippey shows in detail how Tolkien's professional background led him to write The Hobbit and create a timeless charm for millions of readers. He argues convincingly that the source of Tolkien's inspiration lay not just in his love of fable but in his love of language. While examining the foundations and literary structures of Tolkien's most popular work, The Lord of the Rings, in rich detail, Shippey also discusses the contribution of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales to Tolkien's great myth cycle, showing how the more "difficult" books can be fully appreciated. He goes on to examine the remarkable twelve-volume History of Middle-earth, written by Tolkien's son and literary heir Christopher Tolkien, which traces the creative and technical processes by which Middle-earth evolved."--Jacket.

A biographical look at J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring how his Oxford scholarship, South African childhood, Birmingham upbringing, and World War I service shaped his legendary imagination.