Tolkien in the Land of Heroes: Discovering the Human Spirit

by J. Stein and Anne C. Petty

Explores why Tolkien's books continue to resonate with each new generation of readers and what that fact reveals about us. Tolkien's fiction is infused with the elemental themes that drive humanity... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1892975998
• ISBN13: 9781892975997
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Cold Spring Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A fine study of myth in Tolkien

Not written in dissertationese, as the author's "One Ring to Rule Them All" is, but in very colloquial English. Petty even apologizes for considering LotR alone without the context of the drafts, but there's no need to do that: it's a clear, straightforward, and insightful study of considerable quality.

Review--Tolkein in the Land of Heroes

If you read only one "academic" book on the works of Tolkein, read this one. Clearly and concisely written, Petty's "Tolkein the the Land of Heroes" takes us beyond Middle-Earth into the greater mythologies of all human history and imagination. Unlike many analyses of his works, this one does what it's supposed to do--it makes you want to read those works of Tolkein which you haven't read, and re-read the ones you have. Both heroes and villains in Middle-Earth have their ancient ties. We find out who they really are, and how our Middle-Earth heroes and villains exemplify the archetypes of human culture. The author is a learned guide through the tangled webs of many paths and many stories, weaving them into a coherent whole. Her fondness (to say the least) for Tolkein is evident throughout this intelligent, clearly-written analysis.For readers familiar primarily with "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit", this book will motivate you to read Tolkein's other works, most especially, "The Silmarillion", where all the stories really begin. Dr. Petty's carefully-crafted work is a must for all serious Tolkein fans.

FAN-tastic!!!

I loved this book! This is the kind of book you want to be reading for you college lit courses. Its a fun and easy read that uses comparisons that everyone can understand and/or relate too. I have to give Anne C. Petty high praise for using anime characters and plots in comparision to Tolkien's. Being a VERY BIG anime fan myself, I was very excited to see this in her book.

a great read

What I liked best about this Tolkien book was the approach. It's written by a Tolkien scholar, but the style is highly readable. It was like having a conversation with someone, looking at all the general Tolkien issues from a couple of different points of view, and maybe deciding that there's not any one right answer. She poses intriguing questions as well as offering answers; this book makes you think. A couple of times I laughed out loud, too. Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting. A valuable addition to my Tolkien books collection.