Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in The Lord of the Rings

In Following Gandalf, Matthew Dickerson uncovers why so many have taken a keen interest in Tolkien's writing, and suggests that our lives are enriched by the faith, wisdom, and ethics of Gandalf, the hobbits, and their companions. Dickerson carefully demonstrates the relevance of Tolkien's work to our daily lives, and more importantly to our eternal lives. Pick up Following Gandalf and see why so many spiritual seekers are finding the Christian insights of Tolkien's devout faith, and the wisdom of Middle Earth.

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Reviewed by Lia (Carlisle, PA), July 26, 2009

This book really dug deep for me, and explored what Tolkein really intended for the Lord of the Rings to be. Examining the Silmarillion, the Hobbit, as well as LOTR, "Following Gandalf" was an amazing book.

Reviewed by David O'Hara (State College, PA), December 12, 2003

Dickerson has crafted a lively and trenchant response to those who think that Tolkien wrote books glorifying combat and who ignore the rich moral dimension of Tolkien's work. It's very readable and, I think, worthwhile both as an introduction to Tolkien (for those who are not very familiar with Tolkien) and to the moral underpinnings of Tolkien's work (for those who are more familiar with Tolkien). Dickerson somehow manages to distill into an inviting format a comprehensive overview of Tolkien's cosmology and metaphysics, and to show how Tolkien uses epic battles, the "gift" of mortality, and tragic form to critique the empty ethical views of Tolkien's time as well as of our own time. I've heard Dickerson lecture on Tolkien at several universities, and can attest both to his profound knowledge of Tolkien's work and to his sheer enjoyment of Tolkien's (sub-)creation, both of which come through nicely in this book. By the way, Dickerson's other recent book, "Hammers and Nails," is also well worth the purchase price. Like "Following Gandalf", "Hammers and Nails" looks at the work of a lesser-known poet and musician, Mark Heard. Even if you haven't heard of Heard or his music (covered by the likes of Bruce Cockburn) you'll likely find Heard's reflections on vocation, art and creativity a delight.

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