The people's guide to J.R.R. Tolkien

Foreword / Tom Shippey

Part 1 : In defense of fantasy. In defense of fantasy

In defense of escapism

Myth building

"Yes, Elanor, there really is a Gandalf"

Are we not geeks?

Tolkien & magic : the power of sub-creation

The power of myth

How to express your Tolkien ignorance : a guide for the media

Part 2 : Good & evil. "They're bad, BAD!!

Good & evil

Justice, mercy & redemption

Getting the "eye" out of life

Paradise lost

Ignorance & knowledge

Fate, free will, & the demands of conscience

Emotion & commitment

All about Sam

The Silmarillion, creation & the sins of the artist

Part 3 : Cultural norms. Cultural norms

Men are from Gondor, women are from Lothlorien

The shadow of racism

And in the closet bind them

Tolkien & nature

Quests, myths & heroines

Yin, yang : the inward quest

Literary sacrilege

Part 4 : Deep wells. Deep wells

There and back again, with Gorbo the Snerg

Beowulf, Icelandic sagas, & the genesis of Middle-earth

"Breathed through silver"

Narrative

Northern magic

Tom Bombadil & the Green Man

Tolkien & the realm of Arthur

Ancient & modern wars

Part 5 : Present dreams. Present dreams

Wake up & smell the dogma

Glossopoeia for fun & profit

The game's the thing

Welcome to merchandising hell

True fans, truly obsessed

Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, Middle-earth

Part 6 : The films. Set your sites on Hollywood

We cry at beauty

Love/hate Rankin/Bass

A new direction for Tolkien purism : looking for authenticity in the work of Peter Jackson

Where the stars are strange

The Fellowship of the Ring film overview (Ostadan)

The Fellowship of the Ring & The Two Towers film reviews

The Fellowship of the Ring film review (Quickbeam)

The Two Towers film review (Ostadan)

The Two Towers film review (Quickbeam)

Part 7 : Q & A. Those pesky questions

Questions & answers.