An original and thought-provoking journey into J. R. R. Tolkien’s world, revealing how his visionary creation of Middle-Earth is more relevant now than ever before.

*Finalist for theThe 2023 Tolkien Society Best Book Award*

What is it about Middle-Earth and its inhabitants that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world? And why does Tolkien’s visionary creation continue to fascinate and inspire us eighty-five years after its first publication? Beginning with Tolkien’s earliest influence–and drawing on key moments from his life,Tolkien in the Twenty-First Centuryis an engaging and vibrant reinterpretation of the beloved author’s work. Not only does it trace the genesis and inspiration for the original books, but the narrative also explores the later film and literary adaptations that have cemented his reputation as a cultural phenomenon. Delving deep into topics such as friendship, failure, the environment, diversity, and Tolkien’s place in a post-Covid age, Nick Groom takes us on an unexpected journey through Tolkien’s world, revealing how it is more relevant now than perhaps Tolkien himself ever envisioned.