Middle-earth for Dummies

[Iris Alantiel]

I thought Peter Jackson already did that?? Zing!!

*laughing 'til I cry over that one*

I can understand why a 'Middle Earth For Dummies' book would be successful. There are a whole bunch of people who had never heard of Tolkien before who fell in love with the movies and ran right out to get their hands on the books. But I'll admit that Middle Earth can be kind of confusing from time to time, especially if it's your first time through. It's true that there are already a lot of good ME guide books, but then it also makes sense that the "For Dummies" people would want to cash in. And I have read one of those books (I think it was about "Psychology For Dummies") and I will admit, they made it pretty entertaining. It's just sad to hear that the book encourages wrong or poorly-thought-out descriptions of Tolkien's work. Some people will probably take it as entirely gospel - "well if this book says Éowyn is the only female character to break with traditional roles, it must be true" - and never stop to question it for themselves. I guess that's their problem but - sigh - it kind of short-changes both JRRT and the readers themselves.