This fascinating program presents Tolkien as somewhat of a literary renegade, who read few modern writers and believed that English literature had ended with Chaucer. A philologist out of place in this century, he created his own world with its own completely functional language. Readings by Tolkien from The Hobbit andThe Lord of the Rings, and recollections by his children (to whom he read episodes of his work as bedtime stories) and his publisher, offer insights into his work. His biographer analyzes how Tolkien wrote, why he illustrated his writing, his friendship with C. S. Lewis, and the jealousy displayed by fellow dons at Oxford. All of the information combined provides an extraordinary and unique portrait of a true eccentric genius and worldwide literary cult figure. (38 minutes)