|Author||David Day, illustrated by Alan Lee| |Publisher||Barnes
& Noble| |Released||February 1, 2002|  From the publisher J.R.R.
Tolkien had a great knowledge of, and love for, world mythology
when he wrote his beloved trilogy of Middle Earth [sic]. In
particular, the symbol of the Ring has a rich and fascinating
heritage, and this beautifully illustrated literary detective
work searches down Tolkien's sources and inspiration. To
understand the roots of The Lord of the Rings, we must go far
back, to a tradition of ring-quest tales that came into being
before the pyramids of Egypt were built, or the walls of Babylon
raised. The extraordinary journey passes through the most
magical stories told: Norse myths, including the Volsunga Saga;
the Arthurian legends; the Carolingian tales, linked to the Holy
Roman Emperor, Charlemagne; Celtic and Saxon myths; German
romances, such as the Nibelungenlied; and more. By drawing on
these potent primary myths and legends, Tolkien was able himself
to create a new mythology fo