Review (PDF) Middle-earth Seen By The Barbarians, Vol. 1: The Indigenous Peoples Of Eriador And Gondor (Volume 1)
This double volume compiles the updated and illustrated essays on the lesser Mannish peoples in J.R.R.Tolkien's Middle-earth books that one author of Codex Regius had previously published on Lalaith's Middle-earth Science Pages.J.R.R. Tolkien has frequently been accused of racist attitudes. But Tolkien was of course well aware of the consequences of racial politics, having passed through both World Wars, and there is much evidence in his texts that the ethnic concepts even of the "good" Men of Middle-earth often led to tragic consequences. This double volume incorporates many references to the lesser Mannish peoples of Middle-earth, dispersed through many of Tolkien's books, and analyses them to compile the history of the First, Second and Third Age as seen by the losers. In addition, the unknown history of Dorwinion is told, the mystery of king Bladorthin is discussed and a new interpretation of his name is given. This book was written for the fans of Middle-earth. Familiarity with the books of J.R.R.Tolkien is assumed.
Series: Middle-earth seen by the barbarians
Paperback: 106 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (April 5, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1497560713
ISBN-13: 978-1497560710
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.3 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #98 in Books > Law > Administrative Law > Indigenous Peoples #3302 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Regional & Cultural > European > British & Irish #17710 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish
Any book that discusses Tolkien seems to sell, Hence, this labor of love by a Tolkien fan would appear to be a winner. On the plus side, it is accurate, and solidly-researched, with unusual but acceptable citations that list only the name or the book reference (RK for Return of the King) or section of the book, when referencing one of Christopher Tolkien's Histories. Nevertheless, no specific page numbers are cited.To approach historicity and summarize Tolkien's life work is a challenging endeavor; I've read and studied every book published by JRRT or his son, and can witness that the two volumes here are accurate. Nevertheless they occasionally fall into the trap of judging Tolkien by modern sensibilities. For example, on the back cover, the second 'grabber' sentence is, "J.R.R. Tolkien has frequently been accused of racist attitudes." --That may be true, and some readers may want to roll around in this as if it is important. I think such a focus smacks of modernist deconstructionism, where virtually everything written by previous generations is game to be picked at by lesser men and women who could never write such lofty prose, nor inspire a fraction of the roughly one billion persons who have enjoyed Tolkien's literature. Needless to say, I reject such faddish deconstructionism.But I do not want to be too harsh: The content of these books nevertheless do not veer often to judgmentalism, and primarily stick to the facts. Maybe that back cover quote is an attempt to troll (ahem) readers prone to looking for flaws in their heroes. Tolkien himself wrote with an understanding, as the back cover continues, that he knew that "the ethnic concepts even of the "good" Men of Middle-earth often led to tragic consequences.
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