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J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment
A detailed work of reference and scholarship, this one volume Encyclopedia includes discussions of all the fundamental issues in Tolkien scholarship written by the leading scholars in the field. Coverage not only presents the most recent scholarship on J. R. R. Tolkien, but also introduces and explores the author and scholar's life and work within their historical and cultural contexts. Tolkien's fiction and his sources of influence are examined along with his artistic and academic achievements- including his translations of medieval texts- teaching posts, linguistic works, and the languages he created. The 550 alphabetically arranged entries fall within the following categories of adaptations; art and illustrations; characters in Tolkien's work; critical history and scholarship; influence of Tolkien; languages; biography; literary sources; literature; creatures and peoples of Middle-earth; objects in Tolkien's work; places in Tolkien's work; reception of Tolkien; medieval scholars; scholarship by Tolkien; medieval literature; stylistic elements; themes in Tolkien's works; Theological/ philosophical concepts and philosophers; Tolkien's contemporary history and culture; works of literature.
809 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2006
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 12, 2022
an excellent resource to quickly look up things about Tolkiens' life and works. While it lacks a good guide to his academic career, most readers will probably want to know more about The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and the other fiction, anyway.
The range of authors and scholars who write articles, including the obvious (Tom Shippey) and the surprising (Hal Colebatch) make this a comprehensive guide and the numerous and very cogent references to source material at least give the Tolkien scholar a place to start, even though an infuriating number of the sources are no longer available.
Lastly, there are entries on Tolkien's friends, acquaintances, and influences.
This is all topped off with a compendious index.
While I doubt I'll read it cover to cover again, I'll be dipping into it a lot, until or unless a more comprehensive edition comes out.
The range of authors and scholars who write articles, including the obvious (Tom Shippey) and the surprising (Hal Colebatch) make this a comprehensive guide and the numerous and very cogent references to source material at least give the Tolkien scholar a place to start, even though an infuriating number of the sources are no longer available.
Lastly, there are entries on Tolkien's friends, acquaintances, and influences.
This is all topped off with a compendious index.
While I doubt I'll read it cover to cover again, I'll be dipping into it a lot, until or unless a more comprehensive edition comes out.
Displaying 1 of 1 review