i've asked myself this as well. i think in some ways to apprechiate LOTR as fully as you can you do need to probe a little further into it, find out a bit more of the background than is immediately accessable. but that doesnt mean you cant apprechiate it being ignorant to most of the additional facts, just in a different way per say.
when i first got into the books i took it to new levels of obcession because i fell completely in love with it. which meant, for me, delving as deeply into Tolkien's world as i could. i am somewhat of a fountain for random Tolkien facts, which has earned me some obscure respect from friends and family i suppose. the point is, i really wanted to know the information and in that case i think then its good to read up on the background. however, dont bother if you're just doing it because you feel you ought to.
generally LOTR changed my life just on face value- and i have Tolkein to thank for that.
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:18 PM January 06, 2004: Message edited by: master_of_puppets ]
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