A very readable overview of Tolkien and his work; incorporating a brief biography; an examination of the books and a look at the process of filming his work; including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings saga. It explores how Tolkien's background as a medievalist and linguist informed the languages of Middle-earth; the influence of his Catholicism and Tolkien's legacy in fantasy. A timely book to coincide with the first of Peter Jackson's two keenly awaited Hobbit films.