Books about comparative history

[buddhax]

I can't find and I'm completly sure exists, books about the relation between Middle Earth and our own historical cultures. Can you help me recommending some good books?

[Glorelendil]

I think there's as much or more relationship between ME cultures and mythical/fictional cultures, not just historical ones.

For example, I've only recently discovered "The House of the Wolfings". You'll be amazed at the parallels.

[buddhax]

Thanks, Elfcrusher. I'll take a look. I have to admit I more interested right now in the historical relations but I know there are more also myth/poetic influences.

[Glorelendil]

I'll defer to Tolwen and Beran on that one.

[Jon Hodgson]

I'm sure others will have better suggestions, but the best source I've found for information on this is Tolkien's Letters. He doesn't have a lot to say about this theme in general terms, but there's snippets you can work with - Gondor being on a similar latitude to Venice, costumes worn in Rohan being similar enough to Anglo-Saxons on the Bayeux Tapestry, Numenorean garb having some relationship to Egyptian costuming and the like.

[Mim]

Jon raises a great point with The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. This is probably one of your best choices.

Some additional books that discuss the background & historical parallels:

1. The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide by Christina Scull & Wayne G. Hammond.

2. The Annotated Hobbit by Douglas A. Anderson.

3. Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings by Lin Carter.

This last is a bit dated but still includes a great summary of the professor's sources, such as the Norse myths, etc.

[buddhax]

Nice, Mim. I'm getting the Letters. Thanks

[Jon Hodgson]

The Letters are a much better, and indeed more moving, read than I anticipated. Well worth the price of admission.