Law, Government, and Society in J.R.R. Tolkien's Works

Abstract

Jose Maria Miranda Boto’s Law, Government, and Society in J.R.R. Tolkien's Works is a unique contribution to this field by focusing narrowly on law in Middle-earth. He proves that law exists in Middle-earth and that Tolkien’s stories have something meaningful to say about the tension between law and justice. The book wisely avoids trying to force comparisons between modern law and Tolkien’s fantasy world (except as a pedagogical tool in the fifth chapter), and never tries to pronounce judgment on whether or not Tolkien’s depictions of law are “realistic.” The exhaustive catalogue of references to laws in Middle-earth, especially in the second and third chapters, and the appendix on law in Tolkien’s life make this book invaluable to scholars.