Ever since Tolkien’s famous lecture in 1936, it has been generally accepted that the poem Beowulf is a fantasy, and of no use as a witness to real history. This book challenges that view, and argues that the poem provides a plausible, detailed, and consistent vision of pre-Viking history which is most unlikely to have been the poet’s invention, and which has moreover received strong corroboration from archaeology in recent years. Using the poem as a starting point, historical, archaeological, and legendary sources are combined to form a picture of events in the North in the fifth and sixth centuries, at once a Dark and a Heroic Age, and the time of the formation of nations. Among other things, this helps answer two long-unasked questions. Why did the Vikings come as such a shock? And what caused the previous 250 years of security from raiders from the sea?
Tom Shippey Livres
T.A. Shippey, qui publie également sous le nom de Tom Shippey, est un auteur dont les œuvres s'attachent souvent à une profonde analyse littéraire. Son écriture explore des thèmes complexes et des concepts philosophiques. Le style distinctif de Shippey et son approche de l'écriture en font une figure importante de la critique littéraire.
Collection of thirty English and American science fiction stories from H.G. Wells's story "The Land Ironclad" of 1913 to the 1990s
Laughing Shall I Die
- 368pages
- 13 heures de lecture
A robust new account of the Vikings, which explores their fascination with heroic death.
The Road to Middle-earth
- 432pages
- 16 heures de lecture
The definitive guide to the origin of J.R.R. Tolkien's books, from The Hobbit to The History of Middle-earth series - includes unpublished Tolkien extracts and poetry.
Focusing on J.R.R. Tolkien's major works, this companion by Professor Tom Shippey delves into the themes, characters, and narratives of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Shippey, a noted medievalist and fantasy scholar, explores Tolkien's profound influence on literature, illustrating why he is regarded as the most significant author of the century. This insightful analysis offers readers a deeper understanding of Tolkien's creations and their lasting impact on the fantasy genre.