Article
The Horns of the North: Historical Sources of J. R. R. Tolkien's Trilogy
Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences Proceedings
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-1976
Disciplines
Additional Publication URL
http://www.iass1.org/
Abstract
Few books have enjoyed the publishing success seen in the last decade by J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Since the time of its paperback appearance in 1965 the work has not only attracted wide popular readership but has also stimulated a considerable body of scholarly criticism.1 As a work of fantasy, Tolkien's tale of struggle surrounding a ring of power has attracted most of its commentators to the areas of myth and linguistics, two of the sources upon which the author relied most heavily. Yet for all its epic dimensions, the trilogy has thus far failed co spur a similar inquiry into another of Tolkien's vital sources, the realm of history and the historical imagination.
Rights
This article was archived with permission from Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences, all rights reserved.
Citation Information
George W. Geib. "The Horns of the North: Historical Sources of J. R. R. Tolkien's Trilogy" Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences Proceedings Vol. 11 (1976) p. 100 - 104 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/george_geib/14/