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Rating: 
Summary: One of the best short surveys of Tolkien there is...
Review: There are three types of books about Tolkien: (1) adulent works written by fans, (2) scholarly works participating in an ongoing dialogue with other scholars, and (3) short summary/survey works that are usually written as part of a series of books on different authors. Moseley's book on Tolkien falls clearly into category 3-- this is a basic overview of Tolkien's life, work, and fiction that is intended to serve as a kind of 'critical introduction' to his fiction. As such, it is most comparable in scope and structure with other 'general surveys' of Tolkien (such as those penned by Kathryn Crabbe, the Rogers', Catherine R. Stimpson, etc.) than with more focused works of scholarship (such as Shippey's _The Road to Middle-Earth_ or fan fluff (like Carter's _A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings_.That said, I have to say that Moseley's book, introductory survey though it may be, is one of the best books on Tolkien I've yet seen. His understanding of Tolkien's fiction is profound, as his general knowledge of literary history and contemporary academic literary theory. He is, consequently, very well able to situate Tolkien's thought within a broader history of literary criticism. Although he does not engage in a lot of postmodern jargon hurling, he does seem familiar enough with the contemporary idioms of literary scholarship that he is able to point out just how different Tolkien's literary theory was in comparison to those dominant today. And, even more impressively, Moseley's chapter on Tolkien's fiction manages to display a good deal of critical insight-- quite rare in a survey book of this sort. Also quite favorable isthe balanced tone he takes throughout his discussion(never accusing or denigrating a la Stimpson, and never fawning or defensive like Patrick Curry and so many other fan-criticism). I do, however, have two minor criticisms of this book. The first is that Mosely, like so many, *many* other writers on Tolkien, accepts at face value the idea (first voiced by Tolkien himself)that Tolkien's work is, or is intended to be a 'myth'. Yet, it never subjects the word 'myth' (which is an extremely ambiguous word with a host of different meanings, values and associations) to any real critical analysis. Secondly, there's the bibliography. While intended to be a 'select bibliography' rather than a complete one, there are nonetheless some very odd ommissions (including pretty much everything written by Verlyn Flieger and, even more surprisingly, Judith Johnson's essential bibliography of Tolkien criticism). Also, some of the so-called descriptive comments about the various secondary works are inaccurate and, rather surprisingly (given the scholarly and balanced tone of the rest of this book) snotty and inappropriate. In his comments on the essays in Robert Giddings' _This Far Land_, for example, he conflates the content of two essays by different authors into one-- a big mistake in a descriptive bibliography. Moreover, he takes a mocking tone in regards to one of the essays that offers a feminist/Freudian reading of the Shelob episode, dismissing it with a casual "What one can do with language!" Both the errors and tone (and these aren't the only examples here) seem grossly unprofessional and inappropriate, particularly after the balanced approachof the main bodyf the book, giving an unwelcome and vaguely bitter aftertaste to an otherwise excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: One ring to rule them all one ring to find them. . .
Review: This book presents an excellent interpretation of the works of J.R.R. Tolkein. It adds an interesting prespective on his stories, as well as his life. This is a must have for any true Tolien fan! Peace.
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