While nothing can equal or replace the adventure in reading Tolkien’s masterwork, The Lord of the Rings, Peter Kreeft says that the journey into its underlying philosophy can be another exhilarating adventure. Thus, Kreeft takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the philosophical bones of Middle earth. He organizes the philosophical themes in The Lord of the Rings into 50 categories, accompanied by over 1,000 references to the text of Lord. Since many of the great questions of philosophy are included in the 50-theme outline, this book can also be read as an engaging introduction to philosophy. For each of the philosophical topics in Lord, Kreeft presents tools by which they can be understood. Illustrated.
The Philosophy of Tolkien
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--------- AUDIO LECTURES --------- $1 each (MP3)
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RECORDED LECTURES:
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---"Beauty" -- The branch of philosophy dealing with aesthetics.
---"C. S. Lewis and Mere Christianity" -- C.S. Lewis' masterpiece
---"Christianity in Lord of the Rings" -- The cleverly disguised role of God
---"Culture War" -- A call to arms, mapping key enemies and battlefields
---"Existence of God" -- A magnificent overview of the arguments
---"Good, True, Beautiful" -- C.S. Lewis on three great transcendentals
---"Happiness" -- How do you get it? Christ's version vs. the world's
---"Heaven" -- The heart's deepest longing
---"Hollywood Screenwriting" -- Encouragement to film's creative storytellers
---"If Einstein Had Been a Surfer" -- Rediscovering intuitive thinking
---"Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" -- The famous argument for Christ's identity
---"Problem of Pain" -- C.S. Lewis's brilliant exposition on suffering and evil
---"Sex in Heaven" -- Imaging the fire of God's love
---"Sexual Reconnection" -- Healing the link between sex & love
---"Shocking Beauty" -- The live character of Christ
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Lecture scheduling and more info:
http://www.peterkreeft.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Peter Kreeft is a gifted writer. He is able to take some of the most difficult concepts and make them accessible to the reader. He is very concrete and clear. In this book about Tolkien, he states his objective concisely: "This book is not about Tolkien's world. It is about Tolkien's worldview, Tolkien's philosophy. Exploring that* can be another adventure. For while this philosophy is as much a part of Tolkien's world as its wars,...the philosophy is not on the surface,...but hidden beneath it,..." Kreeft uses a wealth of thinkers, philosophers, theologians, and writers to illuminate (or contrast) Tolkien's major ideas and ideals. He presents a virtue, a philosophy, or a theological concept, then defines it, expounds on it, and ties it to "The Lord of the Rings". He is also adept at applying his ideas to modern events such as 9/11. Then he takes excerpts from Tolkien's own books and provides the clincher.
As succinct as he is at this task, it is significant that he seldom mentions Tolkien for nearly the first sixty pages, and the introduction consists of only about twenty of them. Correspondingly significant, he quotes from C.S. Lewis more often than from Tolkien. However, this is a description, not a flaw, for he frames Tolkien well with Lewis. (Sometimes Lewis is better at describing the process and/or values of Tolkien.) He is masterful for tightly presenting key concepts from Plato, Dostoyevski, Sartre, G. K. Chesterton, and Hegel, just to name a few, and applying them to the framework of Tolkien's deepest beliefs. And, I must note, you don't have to have read any of these figures to understand the book or their references.
It is hard to argue with Kreeft. Like any of his books, you are backed into a corner, for which (thankfully, this reviewer believes) one must accept the Kreeft package or be a gifted debater. He is not one to compromise! I wonder what disparity there would be between a Christian and secular audience for this book. For the former, "The Philosophy of Tolkien" is soul food; for the latter, it may be a fascinating, extraneous, or infuriating experience depending on the taker. It is hard to say where Kreeft could have done better, but his other works resonate even better and seem even more seamless, but his execution is so remarkable that any minor criticisms should be taken with at least a grain of salt.
This is a brilliant book and a wonderful gift to readers. Peter Kreeft may take you on a different voyage than "The Lord of the Rings," but, while he challenges you, he does most of the work.
(Allegedly, it took Kreeft two years to publish this book because the Tolkien and Lewis estates are tight-fisted about their copyrights. If true, it would make this book a particular treasure.)
(*italicized, emphasis the author's)
As succinct as he is at this task, it is significant that he seldom mentions Tolkien for nearly the first sixty pages, and the introduction consists of only about twenty of them. Correspondingly significant, he quotes from C.S. Lewis more often than from Tolkien. However, this is a description, not a flaw, for he frames Tolkien well with Lewis. (Sometimes Lewis is better at describing the process and/or values of Tolkien.) He is masterful for tightly presenting key concepts from Plato, Dostoyevski, Sartre, G. K. Chesterton, and Hegel, just to name a few, and applying them to the framework of Tolkien's deepest beliefs. And, I must note, you don't have to have read any of these figures to understand the book or their references.
It is hard to argue with Kreeft. Like any of his books, you are backed into a corner, for which (thankfully, this reviewer believes) one must accept the Kreeft package or be a gifted debater. He is not one to compromise! I wonder what disparity there would be between a Christian and secular audience for this book. For the former, "The Philosophy of Tolkien" is soul food; for the latter, it may be a fascinating, extraneous, or infuriating experience depending on the taker. It is hard to say where Kreeft could have done better, but his other works resonate even better and seem even more seamless, but his execution is so remarkable that any minor criticisms should be taken with at least a grain of salt.
This is a brilliant book and a wonderful gift to readers. Peter Kreeft may take you on a different voyage than "The Lord of the Rings," but, while he challenges you, he does most of the work.
(Allegedly, it took Kreeft two years to publish this book because the Tolkien and Lewis estates are tight-fisted about their copyrights. If true, it would make this book a particular treasure.)
(*italicized, emphasis the author's)
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a superb book. Well-written, and insightful. If viewed only as a work of scholarship on J.R.R.Tolkien, it might not be indispensible. But Kreeft is full of such profound insights into the bigger issues of the value of story, and how story incarnates philosophy--and he articulates them so clearly--that the book becomes a must read for anybody interested in the value of story, the value of fantasy, the value of myth... and how a reader should approach this genre of literature. Of course the book does an excellent job at the stated topic also, outlining how Tolkien's masterpiece addresses the most important questions of philosophy.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Dr.
Format:Paperback
Peter Kreeft is one of the best at helping readers see key insights. For those who love Tolkien, Kreeft is a most helpful guide at exploring the worldview that permeates the entire masterpiece by Tolkien. The author of more than 40 books (not amazon reviews that miss the point) has done it again!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tolkien Philosophers
This is the perfect book for people who want to find the deeper meaning behind Tolkien's writings. It is suitable for group discussions.
Published 2 months ago by Karen A. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
With Apologies to Paul Harvey, This Is The Rest of the Story.
You don't know the author of "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit" if you do not know what Peter Kreeft has to say about him. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Charlie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book. Read introduction before buying the book.
1. Good book, well written. Many topics, not very deep (especially some parts).
2. CONTENT. Read more
2. CONTENT. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Liam
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book Review
Peter Kreeft uses the work of Tolkien in this book to give readers a "second adventure of discovery. Read more
Published 5 months ago by James Pierce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kreeft introduces Philosophy using Tolkien - Mind Blowing
Peter Kreeft has blown my mind with his book on Philosophy within Tolkien's works and personal letters. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stephen Z
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kreeft should be more widely known and appreciated
This was an excellent book. I have to be honest, I've never read the Lord of the Rings but have read numerous books by Peter Kreeft. Read more
Published 8 months ago by jcoff
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings
A nice little book that could serve as an introduction to philosophy. On the whole, I think that reading this prior to rereading Tolkien's works will greatly enhance my... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Josh Goode
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brings Back Some Wonder
This book gives new light to well-loved things. It helps bring some of the wonder of Tolkien into our own world--where too many lights have been extinguished. :)
Published 11 months ago by Anon.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for any lord of the rings fan
Tolken was a Catholic, and The Lord of the Rings was a "Catholic" novel. Peter Kreeft is probably one of the best authors to explain the philosophy behind it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Kevin
1.0 out of 5 stars
An insulting book reflecting a narrow Christian bias.
I have greatly enjoyed Tolkien's LOTR since reading it and rereading it in the 1970's.
I had hoped that this book would, as advertised, enlighten me concerning philosophy... Read more
I had hoped that this book would, as advertised, enlighten me concerning philosophy... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Olorin
