"Even the Dogs Get to Eat the Crumbs that Fall From the Master's Table"

J. R. R. Tolkien: Architect of Middle Earth, by Daniel Grotta-Kurska (2 copies)

“Daniel Grotta-Kurska's J. R. R. Tolkien: Architect of Middle-Earth was the first full biography of Tolkien published, but without authorization, access to Tolkien's personal papers, and with discouragement from the Tolkien Family to friends and family to provide any information (they were already in the process of producing an authorized biography). Despite all these drawbacks, the book has been described as generally well-researched, but with some glaring mistakes and false assumptions that have remained even in subsequent editions. Still, you have to love that cover illustration by the Hildebrandt's of Tolkien and a dwarf.” – Power of Babel.

Ranking: Essential

File Code: Biography. Paperback.

Understanding Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, by William Ready (2 copies)

Originally titled “The Tolkien Relation”. “Understanding Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings is the first and the worst book here. It was actually published (in the US) during Tolkien's lifetime, but it seems that since Tolkien knew William Ready personally (if briefly) as an agent of the Marquette Library when they were in the process of buying his manuscripts, he felt disinclined to stop publication, but declined to supply any personal information, beyond "[Ready's] own memory of the few remarks I made about my personal history. These he appears to have embroidered with wholly illegitimate deductions of his own and the addition of baseless fictions." Tolkien also remarked that in the one hour long talk they had had, Ready talked mostly about himself, and this book seems mainly about Ready's personal ideas and reactions to LOTR, rather than any well-considered history or criticism. It is, however, a fascinating look at a somewhat primordial point of view of Tolkien Studies, kind of like seeing the small weasel-like beast that could evolve into man someday.” – Power of Babel. Horrifying, psychedelic cover art on both copies.

Ranking: Essential, anyway.

File Code: Literary Criticism. Paperback.

Writers for the 70’s: J. R. R. Tolkien, by Robley Evans.

“The Writers For The 70's book (the other writers considered in the series are Herman Hesse, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and Richard Brautigan) offers a clear, non-fan assessment of the techniques and themes of Tolkien's works.” – Power of Babel.

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Literary Criticism. Paperback.

The Tolkien Quiz Book, by Bart Andrews.

Has a cover by Tim Kirk, which it wouldn’t surprise me to learn had once graced a calendar. What can I say? It’s a quiz book.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Quiz Book. Fantasy. Paperback.

Tolkien Quest: Night of the Nazgul, by John David Ruemmler.

Illustrations by James Holloway and Richard Britton. One of those choose-your-own-adventure books. For Tolkien!

Ranking: Keeper.

File Code: Game. Paperback.

Bored of the Rings, by The Harvard Lampoon. (2 copies)

Hilarious parody, including spoofs of the map and the old Barbara Remington cover (emus!). Signet books.  “The test of a good religion is whether you can joke about it.”
- G. K. Chesterton. Got my first copy in high school.

Ranking: Essential.

File Code: Parody. Novel. Paperback.