I am a new self-publishing author who just began a Kickstarter for my first book titled "The Road Goes Ever On and On A New Perspective on J. R. R. Tolkien and Middle-earth." Kickstarter supporters receive special perks such as sighed copies, early access, reduced price, stunning artwork, etc Please check out the link if you are interested in supporting an Indie author. https://www.kickstarter.com/project...-j-r-r-tolkien-and-middle-earth?ref=user_menu While I cover many subjects, the book focuses on how Tolkien's political, religious, and environmental views affected his mythology. One theme that runs through the entire book is Tolkien's libertarian views. Two chapters address Tolkien's political views. The first argues that Tolkiens preferred Anglo-Saxson and Germanic feudal kingships of the early and high Middle Ages have been misportrayed. I summarize these Medieval systems and include a critique of democracy. Blurb J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth has captured the imaginations of millions of readers around the world for generations. He is considered the father of modern fantasy, but few understand how Tolkien’s worldview impacted his mythology. The Road Goes Ever On and On is the first book of its kind to place Tolkien within his proper context, giving the reader a deeper understanding of Tolkien and Middle-earth. Smith takes us on a quest through a wide range of Tolkien’s writings to unlock Tolkien’s perspective—a perspective that, like the elves who have sailed into the West leaving Middle-earth, has faded away from our world. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of Tolkien’s views on politics, environmentalism, religion, and much more. From the Valar to Hobbits, the free peoples closely follow Tolkien’s sentiments. In contrast, forces under the Shadow represent what Tolkien believed was immoral. Covering a wide range of topics, The Road Goes Ever On and On is filled with breathtaking illustrations bringing Middle-earth to life like never before, making this the ‘one book to rule them all.’ Praise for the Road Goes Ever On and On! Engrossing...Tolkien’s principles—patriotism, Medievalism, localism, Catholicism—are certainly out of fashion today. And yet they’re the foundation for all his books, which have sold hundreds of millions of copies. Mr. Smith does a wonderful job of explaining why modern readers are so enthralled by Tolkien’s reactionary vision. Whether you’re a casual Lord of the Rings fan or a serious Tolkien scholar, every page of Mr. Smith’s book will delight and fascinate. And if anyone ever tells you that fairy-tales are only for children, hand him this book. Tolkien ought to be regarded as one of the great social critics of our time, as Mr. Smith so masterfully demonstrates. -Michael Warren Davis is an editor for Sophia Institute Press and the author of The Reactionary Mind: Why Conservative Isn’t Enough. You can find him on his blog, The Common Man. As the popularity of Tolkien’s work continues to endure, the importance of Jeb Smith’s work continues to grow. This is because of a prolonged siege against Tolkien’s work: the attempt to dislodge it from its Christian and Biblical foundations. Jeb Smith’s insights are immensely helpful to this and future generations of Tolkien admirers. -Scott L. Smith, author of Lord of the Rings and the Eucharist This work is one of the best philosophical works that I have read in a long time as an editor. The author is mild in communicating his views, and his arguments are wholistically posed as a question for reflection. The author is endowed with a strong expressive and creative writing style, and his tone is less offensive to the reader, particularly those who may not subscribe to his viewpoints…This book exhibits balanced artistry of suspense and objective arguments and put the author in the great league of libertarian philosophers alike. With a strong message of practicing true liberty, the need to reject ideologies crippling society, the importance of the church, and the need to give back some extent of autonomy (liberty) to the population… Freelance editor Doris_foster
