Tolkien and the Study of His Sources - by Jason Fisher (Paperback)

About the Book

Source criticism--analysis of a writer's source material--has emerged as one of the most popular approaches in exploring the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Since Tolkien drew from many disparate sources, an understanding of these sources, as well as how and why he incorporated them, can enhance readers' appreciation. This set of new essays by leading Tolkien scholars describes the theory and methodology for proper source criticism and provides practical demonstrations of the approach.

Book Synopsis

Source criticism--analysis of a writer's source material--has emerged as one of the most popular approaches in exploring the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Since Tolkien drew from many disparate sources, an understanding of these sources, as well as how and why he incorporated them, can enhance readers' appreciation. This set of new essays by leading Tolkien scholars describes the theory and methodology for proper source criticism and provides practical demonstrations of the approach.

Review Quotes

"an intriguing work that provides another angle on one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century"-Midwest Book Review; "well-written and well-edited volume...excellent...can serve as a how-to guide for both research and writing"-Beyond Bree; "the collection will be of interest to scholars and dedicated readers of Tolkien...the essays are well documented"-Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts; "This critical collection provides a solid defense of the sometime-maligned literary discipline of 'source-hunting' along with outstanding examples of the value of this approach in understanding the depths of Tolkien's literary creation."-Douglas A. Anderson, author of The Annotated Hobbit; "A valuable book for anyone serious about Tolkien. It not only adds new, confirming material to what is known about Tolkien's sources but covers areas of influence previously denied or underplayed."-Marjorie J. Burns, author of Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth; "The most exhaustive examination yet published of demonstrable, probable, and conjectural sources for Tolkien's legendarium."-Verlyn Flieger, author of Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien's World.

About the Author

Jason Fisher is an independent scholar specializing in J.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, and Medieval Germanic philology. He is also the editor of Mythprint, the monthly publication of The Mythopoeic Society, and has written for Tolkien Studies, Mythlore, Beyond Bree, North Wind, Renaissance, and other publications.