Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings
With insight, humor, and a good deal of personal passion for  his subject, Mark Eddy Smith offers glimpses into the deeper spiritual  meaning of J.R.R. Tolkien'sThe Lord of the Ringsby looking at  30 virtues exemplified by its characters throughout the tales. He then  invites readers to embrace these virtues for themselves. Using a  persuasive, conversational style, Smith offers reflective commentary,  sometimes with a direct call to action: "Are there not enough heroes  left in the world? Become one yourself." Tolkien aficionados will  appreciate such attention to detail as Smith's note that he uses the  Ballantine paperback edition, 95th printing, for references. The author  writes that he has found in Middle-earth "a training ground, a place  where I can apprentice to those whose gifts of charity, wisdom,  kindness, mercy, love and faithfulness far surpass my own." Readers who  love the Tolkien tales will be challenged to make changes to their own  lives through Smith's gentle, thoughtful prose.--Cindy Crosby