The Science of Middle-Earth
"The Science of Middle-earth is the most unexpectedly
Tolkienian
book about Tolkien that I have ever come across"
-- Tom Shippey in the New York Review of Science
Fiction.
"[Gee's] unique position as author, scientist and fan
converge
to create unique insights, some of breathtaking power
and beauty.
... readers will almost certainly leave this book with
an increased
respect for Tolkien, science and the wonders of Middle-earth."
-- Tolkien Studies
"Gee succeeds triumphantly in making fact look just as
strange as fiction"
-- Times Literary Supplement.
"Describing science as the application of the fantastic,
Gee places Middle-Earth under the microscope
and reports some surprising results" --- BBC Focus
****
"This is a deeply serious book which is both accessible
and has surprisingly valid things to say about
both science fiction and science fact."
-- SFX ****
"Gee has a huge respect for his source material.
He seeks not to ridicule or demystify Tolkien's fantasy
but simply to add another dimension.
This book will give die-hard fans another reason
to spend a few more hours exploring Middle-earth"
-- The Guardian
"If only science could be taught like this in school,
many of us would have paid more attention."
-- Fortean Times
"Gee shows how scientific precepts can make the wonders
of Middle-earth even richer"
-- Scientific American
"We stand to gain from Gee's piercing observations about
science education for the third millennium"
-- Nature
"Any Tolkien fan will find fascinating insights into the
man
and a side of his interests that is wildly underrepresented
in what has been written about him.
And as an exercise in 'Science of...' attached to a work
of fiction
it's one of the best around. Recommended."
