The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies ReviewHaving read many books about Tolkien and the themes he so richly presents in "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings", I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book for several months. I was not disappointed ! Greg Harvey has taken a very complex trilogy, and along with "The Hobbit", managed to put together an enjoyable and easily readable book which explores all the many facets of Tolkien's world and the characters in it. In the humorous and entertaining style of all the "Dummies" books, we are treated to detailed explanations of the places, beings, and beasts which inhabit the very imaginative mind of the greatest author of the 20th century. If this wasn't enough, Mr. Harvey goes into great detail about the underlying themes in the books, the motivations of the characters, and how the story is relative to our modern world. Touching on philosophy and religion, themes of friendship, good vs. evil, love and loyalty, human frailty, lust for greed and power --- it's all here, and in an intelligent, unbiased presentation. Not too hard to understand or follow, and not "dumbed down" for the lowest common denominator. A superb book that will entertain and provoke you to think. Not at all for dummies ! You'll be glad you bought a copy --- you won't be disappointed. Money well spent for the Tolkien fan !!!The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies OverviewJ.R.R. Tolkien's novels of Middle-earth – The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Silmarillian – have become some of the most famous, and most beloved, literary works of the twentieth century. And the Lord of the Rings films by director Peter Jackson have re-ignited interest in Tolkien and his works, as well as introduced his stories to a new generation of fans.
Even if you've never read the novels and have only seen the films, you know that the world of Middle-earth is a complicated one. Tolkien took great care in representing this world, from creating new languages to including very particular cultural details that add to the richness of the world's fabric. Many other books have been written about Tolkien and his works, but none have come close to providing the kind of reference needed to comprehend the world of Middle-earth. That's what veteran Dummies author and unabashed Tolkien fan Greg Harvey attempts to do in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies.
As the author says in his introduction to the book, this is not an encyclopedia or quick guide to all the diverse beings, languages, and history that make up Tolkien's Middle-earth. Nor is it a set of plot outlines for the novels. Rather, what you'll find in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies is a basic guide to some of the possible linguistic and mythological origins of Middle-earth, plus a rudimentary analysis of its many themes and lessons for our world. This book can help enrich your reading (or re-reading) of Tolkien's novels, and it will challenge you to think about the themes inherent in Tolkien's Middle-earth and their implications in your own life.
Here's just a sampling of the topics you'll find covered in The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies:
Exploring the main themes in Tolkien's works, including immortality and death; the heroic quest; love; fate and free will; and faith and redemption
Investigating the diverse lands of Middle-earth – including the Shire, Gondor, and Mordor – and their significance
Examining the different cultures of Middle-earth, such as Hobbits, Elves, Men, and those wily Wizards
Touring the history of Middle-earth
Understanding Tolkien's creation of new languages to enrich the story of Middle-earth
Top Ten lists on the battles in the War of the Ring, online resources, and the ways the films differ from the novels

So, whether you're reading Tolkien's novels or watching the films for the first time, or you've been a fan for many years and are looking for a new take on Tolkien's works, The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies can help you enhance your reading or viewing experience for years to come.

Want to learn more information about The Origins of Tolkien's Middle-earth For Dummies?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1) ReviewI am pleased to say, and surprised to find myself saying, that Day of the Dragon far exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. I was skeptical when I picked this novel up off the shelf - I expected typical fantasy series fluff, meaning mediocre writing, little plot, and adequate characters. However, the world of WarCraft has been well and lovingly developed by Blizzard since day one, so there was an abundance of backstory to draw on - and draw on it Knaak did. As has been noted by other reviewers, this story starts a little slowly and overwhelmingly simply because of the sheer amount of backstory dumped on the reader. Fortunately, this information is buffered by a much more complex plot than I would have had expected, engaging characters, and solid if not exactly evocative writing.
Picking up sometime not too long after the events of the game WarCraft II (you certainly need not have played the game to understand the book, but having played it sure adds some depth to this novel), the Orcs have pretty much been beaten. Most of them are held in internment camps, but those still holding their conquered lands are fighting every step of their retreat. Their one true asset is the Dragonqueen, a dragon that they captured during the war, and have been breeding for dragons with which to terrorize their human, elven, and dwarven enemies. Enter Rhonin. A maverick Mage, he has been an outcast since his last mission ended in disaster. He is sent on a quest to observe the Orcs' movements by the Magi council, and on an additional, secret quest by one of the head Mages - to free the Dragonqueen, thus ending the Orcs' airborne reign of terror (and in the process redeeming his own failure and allowing him to regain a position with the Magi). Meanwhile, a mysterious nobleman, Lord Prestor, plays the leaders of the Lordaeron Alliance like instruments, bending them to his will and having himself named heir to the Lordaeron throne. Moreover, and perhaps worst of all, chaos-loving Black Dragon DeathWing is up to something, which can only mean no good for the forces of humanity. As all of this ties together, we get a solid novel with good character development, great suspense, and a slam-bang climax.
I had only two qualms with this novel. One was the lack of any sort of cartographic assistance. In the WarCraft II manual there was a perfectly good map - one to which I found myself constantly referring to figure out exactly where various events were taking place. It would have been a simple matter simply to include the map in the front of the book. My second problem is humor. Though the WarCraft games told a serious story, the games themselves were loaded with humor, none of which makes its way through to this book. It would have been a nice touch just to hear a character spontaneously shouting, "Stop poking MEEEE!" Make that three qualms. I thought that the obvious and almost obligatory love emerging between Rhonin and Vereesa was not handled well. It seemed more like a lust/duty relationship than any kind of true love.
This book paves the way for the canceled-game-cum-upcoming-novel Lord of the Clans, and has a whole bunch of hints and foreshadowing towards the forthcoming game WarCraft III. Overall, I'd say Richard Knaak has interpreted the world of WarCraft perfectly, with the result being a surprisingly good, engaging, and interesting fantasy adventure novel. Hopefully the next novel in the series will be this good. Recommended.Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1) OverviewIn the mist-shrouded haze of the past, the world of Azeroth teemed with wondrous creatures of every kind. Mysterious Elves and hardy Dwarves walked among tribes of man in relative peace and harmony -- until the arrival of the demonic army known as Burning Legion shattered the world's tranquility forever. Now Orcs, Dragons, Goblins, and Trolls all vie for supremacy over the scattered, warring kingdoms -- part of a grand, malevolent scheme that will determine the fate of the world of WarCraft A terrifying upheaval among the highest ranks of the world's Wizards sends the maverick Mage, Rhonin, on a perilous journey into the Orc-controlled lands of Khaz Modan. What Rhonin uncovers is a vast, far-reaching conspiracy, darker than anything he ever imagined -- a threat that will force him into a dangerous alliance with ancient creatures of air and Þre if the world of Azeroth is to see another dawn.

Want to learn more information about Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, Book 1) (No.1)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...