The Road to Middle-earth, Tom Shippeys classic work, now revised in paperback, explores J.R.R. Tolkiens creativity and the sources of his inspiration. Shippey shows in detail how Tolkiens professional background led him to write The Hobbit and how he created a timeless charm for millions of readers. Examining the foundation of Tolkiens most popular work, The Lord of the Rings, Shippey also discusses the contribution of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales to Tolkiens great myth cycle, showing how Tolkiens more difficult books can be fully appreciated. He goes on to examine the remarkable twelve-volume History of Middle-earth, written by Tolkiens son and literary heir Christopher Tolkien, which traces the creative and technical processes by which Middle-earth evolved.