Behind the unforgettable characters, worlds, and battles of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit lie a vast range of world myths and historical events that originally inspired J. R. R. Tolkien. From the Finnish epic poem Kalevala and the medieval Beowulf to Arthurian mythology, Shakespeare, and even World War II, Tolkien's sources are unpacked and explained for the novice and connoisseur alike. Laid out in dictionary form, this indispensable guide provides insights not only into literature's most beloved fantasy, but also into the man who brought it to life.