'The Road to Middle-earth' is a fascinating and accessible exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien's creativity and the sources of his inspiration. Tom Shippey shows in detail how Tolkien's professional background led him to write 'The Hobbit' and how he created a timeless charm for millions of readers. He discusses the contribution of 'The Silmarillion' and 'Unfinished Tales' to Tolkien's great myth-cycle, showing how Tolkien's more 'difficult' works can be read enjoyably and seriously by readers of his earlier books, and goes on to examine the remarkable 12-volume History of Middle-earth by Tolkien's son and literary heir Christopher Tolkien, which traces the creative and technical processes through which Middle-earth evolved. The core of the book, however, concentrates on 'The Lord of the Rings' as a linguistic and cultural map, as a twisted web of history, and as a response to the inner meaning of myth and poetry.