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". 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. This is a timely book to coincide with the first of Peter Jackson's two keenly awaited "The Hobbit" films.