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Master of the Rings: Inside the World of J.R. Tolkien

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This modest little book by Susan Ang could be a Master Key of the Rings. "The Master Key of the Rings" is written in an easy narrative style with easy fonts and frequent illustrations. It covers Lord of the Ring [LOTR] related topics in some detail, allowing for a balanced and nuanced primary overview. Some of this nuance has to do with a deep understanding of Tolkien and his background -- where he grew-up, how he grew-up, his parents, school experience, his major interests, his friends and their interests -- "Inside the World of J. R. R. R. Tolkien", as the subtitle states.

Tolkien's other main works are covered -- such as "The Silmarillion" and "The Hobbit" -- these two leading into LOTR. Susan Ang is great at balancing general and specific coverage of LOTR and other works -- which seems spot-on as Tolkien writes with Wheels-within-Wheels -- from The Big Picture, thru levels of rich aspects, down to small-scene detail. Tolkien's ideals and ideas are finely presented. Susan Ang has primary coverage of the great influence of LOTR on other works of imagination as well as the great influences on Tolkien and LOTR -- such as the LOTR cinematic Saga.

"The Master of the Rings" is a quite unbiased look into Tolkien's World -- remarking upon Tolkien's Catholic background as well as Heathen influences -- linguistics and languages as well as traditional sagas -- and upon support of Western Civilization as well as distrust of over-industrialization. Susan Ang has created this work in an organic pattern that closely follows its table of contents and well-chosen subtopic titles. In addition, the four appendices, bibliography and references are all well-and-good. All of the above make "The Master of the Rings" a Master Key of the Rings +++