Product Description

A compilation of radio and TV archive material from the 60s and 70s featuring interviews with JRR Tolkien, his relatives and colleagues in which he talks about THe Lord of the Rings, his other Hobbiton books, life as an academic, correspondence received from fans and his views on the 20th century.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #899382 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-29
• Released on: 2001-11-29
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

A complement to the BBC dramatisation of Tolkiens's epic.
This audio CD is something that will appeal to fans and non-fans alike. Well constructed with excerpts from the Beeb's dramatisation of Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, it also contains interviews with people that he grew up with and worked with as well as with the man himself. Well researched, very informative and beautifully compiled, this is a biography in just under two hours, contained on two CD's, and at a very reasonable price.
If you want to find out what inspired Tolkien to write The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and his reasoning behind The Silmarillion, then this is a a good place start. There may be more of a Hobbit about you than you realise! If you own a copy of the Beeb's 'Lord of the Rings' then this makes a excellent suplemental piece. If you have never read any of Tolkien's works this might just inspire you to do so.

Fascinating insight into creator of "Lord of the Rings"
Brian Sibley, one of those responsible for the memorable BBC radio dramatisation of "The Lord of the Rings" (starring, among others, a more youthful Ian Holm as Frodo), presents here a revealing portrait of its author, J.R.R. Tolkien. There are lengthy excerpts from interviews with the man himself (to the frequent sound of him puffing on, or lighting his pipe!)and with several of his acquaintances, his biographer, publisher, etc. Sibley provides a lively linking commentary, his affection for his subject coming across strongly. My only gripe, hence the four stars, concerns the quality of the academic "experts" who are interviewed, whose analysis sometimes leaves something to be desired. Nevertheless, an enjoyable few hours for Tolkien fans, or those keen to know more about the author of this twentieth-century masterpiece.

Neccesary listening for anyone interested in Tolkien.
A fascinating compilation, presented with Brian Sibley's customary lightness of touch. This brings together various voices that together give a unique insight into the differing reactions to the man and his work. Into the mix is thrown Tolkien himself, discussing aspects of The Lord of the Rings and responding to some of the criticisms voiced by other contributers. It is this sense of an on-going debate (even though many of the participents have long since passed away) that stops the programme becoming in any way hagiographical and that makes the tape simply enthralling.