Examining the mythic importance of wilderness in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earthA study of myth suggests that the stories we human beings tell ourselves about who we are make us who we are. Amber Lehning extends such discussion into the ecocritical realm, arguing that the stories we tell ourselves about our relationship to the natural world are at least as powerful as science or government policy as drivers of our behavior toward our planet. The destructive modern myths underlying today's environmental crises create a kind of intellectual separation between humanity and its environment that can end up justifying the worst of environmental excesses-and perhaps, she argues, the only way to counter these negative humans-versus-nature stories is to shift some of the deep belief they command into new, positive, restorative stories. The Map of Wilderland argues for the position of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium as one of those good stories. Using source critical and ecocritical perspectives, Lehning traces some of the ancient Celtic, Germanic, and English mythic roots of Tolkien's work; examines how those roots influence Tolkien's own depictions of the wild natural world; and suggests ways that this wildly popular modern myth could serve to help counter today's destructive environmental ones. Through insightful close readings of Tolkien's texts, Lehning's work complements existing inquiries in ecocritical Tolkien studies and bolsters the general critical agreement that Tolkien's work presents positive environmental themes and a harmonious, inspiring vision.
Amber Lehning is a mythologist and independent scholar. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, she received her MA and PhD in the interdisciplinary field of mythological studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She retired as a colonel from the Marine Corps Reserve and currently lives in California.
"In this book, Amber Lehning shows herself to be an intelligent, sensitive, and courageous guide to Middle-earth. She ably explores Tolkien's ecological vision, including its cultural, historical, and literary dimensions, both in detail and in its broader contexts. The result is a triumph of both Tolkien studies and ecocritical scholarship." -Patrick Curry, author of Defending Middle-earth: Tolkien: Myth and Modernity "Ecocriticism has evolved into a multidisciplinary approach that takes many forms, and Lehning's analysis provides an example of a productive blending of ecocriticism and mythological study. Her accessible, clearly written book makes a significant contribution to Tolkien studies, especially through its explorations of the broader cultural significance of Tolkien's conception of wilderness." -CHOICE "The Map of Wilderland contains a valuable analysis of some of the most important literary influences of Tolkien's fiction. Lehning's source analysis not only has worth in itself but enhances the reader's understanding of that vast and complex landscape known as Middle-earth. .... Lehning's take on the contemporary relevance of Tolkien's myth is an original and thought-provoking reflection on the power that mythopoetic art - literature in particular - has in shaping our understanding of who we are and what our place is on Earth." -Journal of Inklings Studies
