Middle-earth for Dummies - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Diamond18 · 12-14-2003, 07:52 PM

Oy. Yes. Has anyone seen the latest offering in the "...for Dummies" series? That's right.

I was in a bookstore and took some time to browse through it, reading the comics (only marginally funny) and skimming the contents and a few bits.

I read the entire "Sex and Gender" (or lack thereof) chapter, and judging from that, I found the author (Greg Harvey) to be taking a very simple, opinionated approach to Tolkien's themes. In fact, he makes some blatantly wrong statements such as the "fact" that Éowyn is the only female in all of Tolkien's works to break away from the expected role of a female in medieval culture/literature. (No mention of Haleth.) Although he did not accuse Tolkien of being sexist, there was a definite tone of "wasn't he old fashioned and unoriginal when it comes to females". I have seen much more referencing to Tolkien and depth of contemplation on any Barrow Downs thread.

This isn't surprising, of course, as the book and series touts itself as a simple approach in "plain English". I have a feeling the Tolkien Estate had nothing to do with this latest "guide". It seems entirely unecessary and gratuitous considering what's already out there.

On the other hand, I also saw a very interesting looking collection of stories called "Tales Before Tolkien" which are purportedly stories and such that Tolkien read and in some cases cited as inspiration for his writing. I have not had time to look deeper into that one to see where they get their basis (though flipping through I noted "Puss-Cat-Mew" which was cited in the Letters") or how much they may have "imagined" the connections up. I plan to get a library copy as soon as I can.

Lord of Angmar · 12-14-2003, 08:04 PM

Middle-earth for Dummies... That is really a strikingly bad idea.

It is truly sad what low regard booksellers and the American media in general hold their customers in. There are already plenty of insightful books into the world of JRR Tolkien, as well as, of course, Tolkien's books themselves. Do we the Tolkien purists really have to sit here and watch as Tolkien's world is turned into an unintelligent, packaged, lower-tier multimedia empire?

Liriodendron · 12-14-2003, 11:37 PM

That's scary, but I can see the demand for such a product. I've never read one of those "dummy" books. Something about the title is rather insulting. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Nilpaurion Felagund · 12-14-2003, 11:40 PM

Hey, I was right! Beleriand is somewhere in Scandinavia! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Kalimac · 12-15-2003, 12:00 AM

Yes, it's always a bit frustrating to see Tolkien being patronized by writers who couldn't lace his shoes. Grrr...

This actually amuses me a lot because about six months ago my sister (she's 15) wanted to write a proposal for a "Middle-Earth for Dummies" book [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. This must be very new, because when she did a search she couldn't find that one was in print then. And if this guy doesn't even know about Haleth, I'm betting my sister might just have done a little better, at least on some chapters.

doug*platypus · 12-15-2003, 05:20 PM

Middle-Earth for Dummies

I thought Peter Jackson already did that?? Zing!! Heh-heh...

Clearly a case of Cashing In. It's rife these days. Sad but predictable, especially given the propensity of your average Rings fan (myself included) to accumulate things Tolkien. I restrict myself either to books or gag items (such as a Gimli school book LOL!) but I'm no less guilty than people who flock to the shops for cheap crap such as the Horse and Rider figures.

Worst thing of all is, I don't think the Middle-Earth for Dummies book looks all that bad! Yes, I'm mental, but I would be happy to add that to my bookshelf, half in jest of course.

Finwe · 12-15-2003, 08:27 PM

Tell you what, why don't we all get together and write our own Middle-earth guide book, that way, we won't have to put up with half-baked books by half-baked authors?

Evisse the Blue · 12-16-2003, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Beleriand is somewhere in Scandinavia!

And I live somewhere North of the Ash Mountains [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Here's the link, doug, in case you want to order [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] :ME for Dummies
D'oh. I just noticed Diamond's already provided the link in the first post...

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 11:00 AM December 17, 2003: Message edited by: Evisse the Blue ]

Iris Alantiel · 12-19-2003, 01:03 PM

Quote:

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.

Finwe · 12-19-2003, 01:42 PM

I believe that the people who are asinine enough to take what they read in Middle-earth for Dummies as gospel deserve what they get.

**lindil** · 12-19-2003, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Middle-Earth for Dummies

I thought Peter Jackson already did that??

Doug, as you can well imagine, you took the words out of my mouth. [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

12-14-2003, 07:52 PM	#1
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,493	Middle-earth for Dummies Oy. Yes. Has anyone seen the latest offering in the "...for Dummies" series? That's right. I was in a bookstore and took some time to browse through it, reading the comics (only marginally funny) and skimming the contents and a few bits. I read the entire "Sex and Gender" (or lack thereof) chapter, and judging from that, I found the author (Greg Harvey) to be taking a very simple, opinionated approach to Tolkien's themes. In fact, he makes some blatantly wrong statements such as the "fact" that Éowyn is the only female in all of Tolkien's works to break away from the expected role of a female in medieval culture/literature. (No mention of Haleth.) Although he did not accuse Tolkien of being sexist, there was a definite tone of "wasn't he old fashioned and unoriginal when it comes to females". I have seen much more referencing to Tolkien and depth of contemplation on any Barrow Downs thread. This isn't surprising, of course, as the book and series touts itself as a simple approach in "plain English". I have a feeling the Tolkien Estate had nothing to do with this latest "guide". It seems entirely unecessary and gratuitous considering what's already out there. On the other hand, I also saw a very interesting looking collection of stories called "Tales Before Tolkien" which are purportedly stories and such that Tolkien read and in some cases cited as inspiration for his writing. I have not had time to look deeper into that one to see where they get their basis (though flipping through I noted "Puss-Cat-Mew" which was cited in the Letters") or how much they may have "imagined" the connections up. I plan to get a library copy as soon as I can. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

12-14-2003, 08:04 PM	#2
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Middle-earth for Dummies... That is really a strikingly bad idea. It is truly sad what low regard booksellers and the American media in general hold their customers in. There are already plenty of insightful books into the world of JRR Tolkien, as well as, of course, Tolkien's books themselves. Do we the Tolkien purists really have to sit here and watch as Tolkien's world is turned into an unintelligent, packaged, lower-tier multimedia empire? __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.

12-14-2003, 11:37 PM	#3
Liriodendron Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 532	That's scary, but I can see the demand for such a product. I've never read one of those "dummy" books. Something about the title is rather insulting. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ http://www.lizmargason.com

12-14-2003, 11:40 PM	#4
Nilpaurion Felagund Scion of The Faithful Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The brink, where hope and despair are akin. [The Philippines] Posts: 5,338	Hey, I was right! Beleriand is somewhere in Scandinavia! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] __________________ フェンリス鴨 (Fenrisu Kamo) The plot, cut, defeated. I intend to copy this sig forever - so far so good...

12-15-2003, 12:00 AM	#5
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	Yes, it's always a bit frustrating to see Tolkien being patronized by writers who couldn't lace his shoes. Grrr... This actually amuses me a lot because about six months ago my sister (she's 15) wanted to write a proposal for a "Middle-Earth for Dummies" book [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]. This must be very new, because when she did a search she couldn't find that one was in print then. And if this guy doesn't even know about Haleth, I'm betting my sister might just have done a little better, at least on some chapters. __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

12-15-2003, 05:20 PM	#6
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 961	Middle-Earth for Dummies I thought Peter Jackson already did that?? Zing!! Heh-heh... Clearly a case of Cashing In. It's rife these days. Sad but predictable, especially given the propensity of your average Rings fan (myself included) to accumulate things Tolkien. I restrict myself either to books or gag items (such as a Gimli school book LOL!) but I'm no less guilty than people who flock to the shops for cheap crap such as the Horse and Rider figures. Worst thing of all is, I don't think the Middle-Earth for Dummies book looks all that bad! Yes, I'm mental, but I would be happy to add that to my bookshelf, half in jest of course. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

12-15-2003, 08:27 PM	#7
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Tell you what, why don't we all get together and write our own Middle-earth guide book, that way, we won't have to put up with half-baked books by half-baked authors? __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

12-19-2003, 01:42 PM	#10
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	I believe that the people who are asinine enough to take what they read in Middle-earth for Dummies as gospel deserve what they get. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.