The World of the Rings: Language, Religion, and Adventure in Tolkien

"Jared Lobdell's classic study, here revised and expanded, dispels many misconceptions and assumptions about Tolkien's great work. It is misleading to refer to Lord of the Rings as a trilogy, or as medieval, or as a fantasy. Instead, Dr. Lobdell follows the thread of three important influences: the Edwardian adventure story, the science of comparative languages, and Christian theology."--BOOK JACKET.