The Science of Middle-earth

The Science of Middle-earth
Author	Henry Gee
Publisher	Cold Spring Press
Released	2004
Format	paperback
Pages	256
ISBN	0-285-63723-1

The Science of Middle-earth (sometimes seen as The Science of Middle Earth) is a book by biologist Henry Gee which seeks to use science and logic to help explain various phenomena in Tolkien's legendarium. A revised edition was released as a Kindle book on 13 December 2012.

[edit] About

From the publisher:

"The author explores just how elves might be able to see much further than humans, why Frodo's sword turns blue at the sight of evil orcs, how the rings of power do their thing, and just about every other conundrum or piece of 'elvish magic' that have puzzled and delighted Tolkien fans for years. Throughout, Gee makes the point that science, fantasy, and nature are really more similar than one might think. Gee writes in a popular tone and style, fully explaining all science concepts and convincingly demonstrating how Tolkien's world of fantasy makes sense in a very real - scientific - way."

[edit] Contents

• Foreword by David Brin
• Author's Note
• About J.R.R. Tolkien
• Introduction

1. Space, Time and Tolkien
2. Inside Language
3. Linguistic Convergence
4. The Power of the Name
5. Holes in the Ground
6. Inventing the Orcs
7. Armies of Darkness
8. The Last March of the Ents
9. O for the Wings of a Balrog
10. Six Wheels On My Dragon
11. The Eyes of Legolas Greenleaf
12. Of Mithril
13. The Laboratory of Fëanor
14. The Gates of Minas Tirith
15. The Lives of the Elves
16. Giant Spiders and 'Mammoth' Oliphaunts
17. Indistinguishable from Magic
18. In the Matter of Roots
19. The One Ring
20. Science and Fantasy

• End-Notes
• Index

[edit] Reviews

• Review by Brian Clegg of Popular Science
• Review by Alok Jha of The Guardian