For Fans of the Tales of Tolkien, Middle-earth, and More "...a great resource for readers and film-viewers who are new to Tolkien and curious about all things Middle-earth.” —Corey Olsen, The Tolkien Professor and president of Signum University #1 New Release in British & Irish Literary Criticism and Encyclopedias Learn about the man who wrote The Lord of the Rings in this Middle-earth treasury. Full of answers to common questions asked by readers to learn about Middle-earth and the fandom, this book about Tolkien celebrates Why We Love Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings omnibus for all. Who wrote The Lord of the Rings? What details are in the movies, books, and other stories—and how do they tie together? Intrigued by Amazon’s new show The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? What’s the story as Tolkien told it? Dive into Middle-earth’s expansive lore with Why We Love Middle-earth, a fandom book about Tolkien’s work. The perfect companion for any Middle-earth traveler. Written by beloved Tolkien commenters of The Prancing Pony Podcast, Shawn E. Marchese and Alan Sisto, Why We Love Middle-earth is the ultimate guide to the fandom. Newcomers and existing fans of Tolkien will revel in the dragon’s hoard of information inside. Inside, find: A brief history of Tolkien’s creation of Middle-earth, including facts you likely never knew A recommended reading order for Tolkien’s major works, and the reasoning behind it An introduction to some of the real-world influences that inspired Tolkien An overview of some of the most popular branches of the fandom, including adaptations, collecting, languages, and more Original illustrations of Middle-earth by illustrator Emily Austin If you enjoy fandom books or a good book about Tolkien’s works such as Atlas Of Middle-Earth, Recipes from the World of Tolkien, or Why We Love Star Wars, you’ll love Why We Love Middle-earth.

If you're frustrated with your inability to make a difference in yourself or your organization, learn how you can become a powerful agent of change! In this groundbreaking book, James Harlow Brown challenges, inspires, and shows you how to transform your ideas and your organization in ways you never thought possible. This visionary and motivational guide contains a number of stories that help you rethink your assumptions about life and create change. Dangerous Undertaking examines how out-of-the-box experiences and ideas can redefine your perceptions, and it addresses the most important concepts involved in personal and organizational change, including: Conflict between social roles and personal identity Organizational behavior at the "quantum level" and the deep sources of organizational power Leadership's addiction to power and the recovery process The collision between the rational and spiritual worlds Perfect for business leaders, executives, change managers, and ordinary working people, Dangerous Undertaking will help you unleash your ability to make a difference in yourself, in your organization, and in the world.

“These essays are not about Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers and the fancy beach clubs and other tourist magnets in Bohol. They are about seemingly mundane things that define a place and bind its people together—childhood games, songs, religious rituals, cultural practices, superstitions and myths, magical creatures. Here you will read about triumphs that united people in pride, disasters that drew them even closer; larger-than-life heroes and everyday heroes; changes that tested their mettle and inspired new ways of seeing as well as values that have endured; cracks in the pavements that mirrored cracks in relationships. Braiding storytelling with fictional devices, the writers merge reportage with self-reflection; weave patterns out of chaos and happenstances; and create a tapestry of memories that restores the past, turning the Bohol they love into the Bohol we love as well.” — Susan Lara

Real Life Paleo takes a practical approach to going Paleo with three simple steps that Stacy Toth and Matt McCarry, creators of the popular blog Paleo Parents, used to lose a combined 200 pounds and improve the health of their whole family. The “Swap, Remove, Heal” method is easy for anyone to follow, no matter where you are in your journey: First, swap healthier versions of packaged foods for ones full of processed, damaging ingredients; then remove unhealthy foods entirely; and finally, add healing, nutritious foods to your diet. Stacy and Matt also provide you with all the tools you need to make the switch to a Paleo lifestyle for good: • Over 175 delicious recipes: With so many Paleo-friendly recipes, figuring out what to eat will never be a problem. Plus, the meal plans and menu ideas help you turn individual recipes into balanced meals. There are even holiday menu ideas to help you plan for special occasions and on-the-go snack ideas, so that last-minute meal before you have to rush out the door can be a healthy one. • Handy how-to section: With practical tips aimed at real-life solutions to common concerns, the how-tos make it easy to replace allergens in recipes, find substitutes for unhealthy staples such as pasta and bread, and make everyday cooking quick, easy, and affordable. • Guides to long-term success: Informative guides to swapping out foods, adding nutrient-dense and healing foods, ordering in a restaurant, stocking a Paleo pantry, and much more help you stick with your new Paleo lifestyle, while shopping lists make going to the grocery store fast and easy. • Recipe indexes: Looking for a dish you can make in under 30 minutes? Or one-pan recipes? Maybe a recipe with fewer than five ingredients? You’re covered with the recipe indexes. Real Life Paleo will give you the confidence and tools to set your table with delicious and healthy foods to nourish those you love.

J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings has long been acknowledged as the gold standard for fantasy fiction, and the recent Oscar-winning movie trilogy has brought forth a whole new generation of fans. Many Tolkien enthusiasts, however, are not aware of the profoundly religious dimension of the great Ring saga. In The Battle for Middle-earth Fleming Rutledge employs a distinctive technique to uncover the theological currents that lie just under the surface of Tolkien's epic tale. Rutledge believes that the best way to understand this powerful "deep narrative" is to examine the story as it unfolds, preserving some of its original dramatic tension. This deep narrative has not previously been sufficiently analyzed or celebrated. Writing as an enthusiastic but careful reader, Rutledge draws on Tolkien's extensive correspondence to show how biblical and liturgical motifs shape the action. At the heart of the plot lies a rare glimpse of what human freedom really means within the Divine Plan of God. The Battle for Middle-earth surely will, as Rutledge hopes, "give pleasure to those who may already have detected the presence of the sub-narrative, and insight to those who may have missed it on first reading."

A young, fun-seeking prince finds himself saddled with kingdom responsibilities after his father's unexpected death. Court intrigues, wars and falling in love push him into maturity.

Hook. Wet Hot American Summer. Valley of the Dolls. There are some movies that defy traditional critical assessment -- films that are panned by reviewers, but that go on to become beloved classics and cult phenoms anyway. Ever been crushed to learn your favorite movie -- or a new one you're dying to see -- has been given the big green splat from Rotten Tomatoes' infamous Tomatometer? The site's editors stand by their critics and scores, but they also feel your pain: Fresh films shouldn't get all the glory! In Rotten Movies We Love, the RT team celebrates 101 Rotten movies that can't be missed, including: Box office behemoths that bombed with critics:Space Jam, Maleficent, Bad Boys Sci-fi treasures so bad they're awesome:Cherry 2000, Zardoz, Masters of the Universe Rare Rottens from Fresh directors:The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Marie Antoinette, Legend, Willow Deeply beloved cult classics: The Last Dragon, Empire Records, The Craft, MacGruber Underrated gems ahead of their time: The Strangers, Event Horizon, Practical Magic, The Cable Guy Sequels worth a second look:Home Alone 2, Rocky IV, Jurassic Park III, Return to Oz Featuring 16 essays from some of the world's most well-known film critics -- Leonard Maltin, Terri White, Amy Nicholson, David Fear, K. Austin Collins, and more -- and punctuated with black-and-white film stills and punchy graphics, it's a fun romp through the quirkier corners of film history, sure to delight any cinephile or pop-culture fanatic.

“Like the druidic life force Jack taps, this hearty adventure, as personal as it is epic, will cradle readers in the ‘hollow of its hand’ (Booklist, starred review). Jack has caused an earthquake. He was trying to save his sister Lucy from being thrown down a well, but sometimes the magic doesn’t quite work out. Not only does Jack demolish a monastery, but Lucy is carried off by the Lady of the Lake, and Jack has to follow her through the Hollow Road, which lies underground. Aided by Pega, a slave, and the berserker Thorgil, Jack encounters hobgoblins, kelpies, yarthkins, and elves—not the enchanted sprites one would expect, but fallen angels who steal human children for pets. In the eighth century, the world is caught between belief in the Old Gods and Christianity, and what Jack and his companions do will decide the fate of both religions. From National Book Award winner Nancy Farmer, this second book in the Sea of Trolls trilogy brilliantly enlarges the world of the first story. Look for the conclusion in The Islands of the Blessed.

The surprising and illuminating look at how Tolkien's love of science and natural history shaped the creation of his Middle Earth, from its flora and fauna to its landscapes. The world J.R.R. Tolkien created is one of the most beloved in all of literature, and continues to capture hearts and imaginations around the world. From Oxford to ComiCon, the Middle Earth is analyzed and interpreted through a multitude of perspectives. But one essential facet of Tolkien and his Middle Earth has been overlooked: science. This great writer, creator of worlds and unforgettable character, and inventor of language was also a scientific autodidact, with an innate interest and grasp of botany, paleontologist and geologist, with additional passions for archeology and chemistry. Tolkien was an acute observer of flora and fauna and mined the minds of his scientific friends about ocean currents and volcanoes. It is these layers science that give his imaginary universe—and the creatures and characters that inhabit it—such concreteness. Within this gorgeously illustrated edition, a range of scientists—from astrophysicists to physicians, botanists to volcanologists—explore Tolkien’s novels, poems, and letters to reveal their fascinating scientific roots. A rewarding combination of literary exploration and scientific discovery, The Science of Middle Earth reveals the hidden meaning of the Ring’s corruption, why Hobbits have big feet, the origins of the Dwarves, the animals which inspired the dragons, and even whether or not an Ent is possible. Enhanced by superb original drawings, this transportive work will delight both Tolkien fans and science lovers and inspire us to view both Middle Earth—and our own world—with fresh eyes.