The definitive critical study of Tolkiens greatest works by the respected and world renowned Tolkien scholar Professor T.A. Shippey.

Recent polls have consistently declared that J R R Tolkien is the most influential author of the century, and The Lord of the Rings as Book of the Century. In light of this, the respected academic and world-renowned Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey presents us with a fascinating companion to the works of J R R Tolkien, in particular focusing on The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.

The seven chapters look at: Hobbits, and other magical creatures; the central quest of the Ring, examining Tolkiens views of good and evil, and his works relevance to the major issues of 20th century politics, such as the nature of industrialised war; and also Tolkiens phenomenal influence on the fantasy genre and the unique role of The Lord of the Rings as the first and greatest fantasy novel in modern fiction.

Written in a clear, accessible style, JRR Tolkien: Author of the Century gives the reader a deeper understanding of the great mans work in the context of who he was, and also serves as an ideal introductory companion to some of the finest, and most successful, fantasy literature ever written.