In 1954 one of the most seminal books in English literature was published and caused barely a ripple. It wasn't until the 'flower-power' generation of the 1960's that LORD OF THE RINGS began to exert its real influence and changed the face of fantasy literature forever. Here for the first time, sixteen of the most revered names in contemporary fantasy writing share with readers their personal relationships with Tolkein's mythical world. A world and mythology that now pervades every aspect of not only modern fantasy writing but also role-playing computer games and Hollywood films. Without Middle-earth there would have been no Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin; no Song of Ice and Fire Saga by George R. R. Martin; no Tales of Discworld from Terry Pratchett and no Riftwar stories from Raymond E. Feist. Each of these writers were influenced by the master mythmaker and now they reveal the nature of that influence and their relationship with the greatest fantasy novels ever written.