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Visualizing Middle-Earth by Michael Martinez in Paperback
268 pages
Published by Xlibris Corporation
Reviewer: A reader from N. Reading, MA USA
Michael Martinez is a dedicated self-made Tolkien researcher with a penchant for detailed Web and newsgroup debates and essays on the fine points of Tolkien's creation. Most (if not all) of the essays in this book have appeared in his on-line columns and commentary. Martinez's main interest is the history of ME, although some essays deal with the pop-cultural impact of Tolkien's books and the upcoming movies. If you (like me) are fascinated by Middle Earth mostly because of it's incredibly detailed pseudo-history and pseudo-culture, then this book is a must have.
Although Martinez is, by some definitions, an amateur essayist, his writing is very good, close to that of many well-regarded and well-published non-fiction essayists. My one complaint is that I wish the book were longer. Since it covers mostly his 1999 on-line essays, several more recent ones that I enjoyed are not included. I can only hope for a second volume, or perhaps these essays will be rolled into a larger work that Martinez is planning.
FA Code - FAB180
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