Most criticism of The Lord of the Rings trilogy emphasizes the most likely heroes in the tales: Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf, and even Sam. From popular to scholarly literature, the women and smaller characters often go overlooked. But our notions of what makes a hero have altered since September 11, and sometimes the most unlikely people can come to embody all that we look up to and admire in a person. Here, Lynnette Porter examines what we mean when we talk about heroes, and for the first time illustrates the heroic qualities that can be found in the women and other beloved, though less-celebrated, characters in the The Lord of the Rings books and movies. She takes a critical look at the importance of literary and cinematic heroes in general, emphasizing the roles of Merry, Pippin, Galadriel, Eowyn, Arwen, Legolas, and Gimli, who can all be considered heroes despite their relatively smaller roles. She shows, ultimately, that our attraction to and celebration of heroes does not have to be limited to the leading man, but rather that women and youth often display essential characteristics of true heroes.
Bringing together a discussion of both the books and the movies, Porter reveals for readers the heroic nature of several characters in The Lord of the Rings who have been ignored in terms of their status as heroes. Nevertheless, these female and youthful characters have received incredible popular acclaim and illustrate the shift in the way the Western movie-going public identifies and glorifies heroes. While other stars may have outshone the likes of Merry and Pippin, Arwen and Galadriel, Porter redirects the spotlight on these favorites of the books and movies to show us how the roles they play, the actions they take, and the behaviors they display are worthy of our praise and admiration. This unique and refreshing perspective adds dimension to our understanding of The Lord of the Rings phenomenon.

Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen

Humor & Entertainment

Porter, Lynnette

Movies

Praeger

The heroes, villains, and monsters portrayed in such popular science fiction television series as Heroes, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Doctor Who, and Torchwood, as well as Joss Whedon's many series, illustrate a shift from traditional, clearly defined characterizations toward much murkier definitions. Traditional heroes give way to "gray" heroes who must become more like the villains or monsters they face if they are going to successfully save society. This book examines the ambiguous heroes and villains, focusing on these characters' different perspectives on morality and their roles within society. Appendixes include production details for each series, descriptions and summaries of pivotal episodes, and a list of selected texts for classroom use.

Tarnished Heroes, Charming Villains and Modern Monsters: Science Fiction in Shades of Gray on 21st Century Television

Science Fiction & Fantasy

McFarland

As Doctor Who nears its 50th anniversary, it is very much a part of British popular culture, and the Doctor has become a British icon. Nevertheless, thanks to BBC America and BBC Worldwide's marketing strategy, as well as the Doctor's and his companions' recent in-person visits to the U.S., the venerable series is becoming more susceptible to an "American influence," including the possibility of becoming "Americanized." Doctor Who and recent spinoffs Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures offer American audiences very different insights into the Whoniverse and have met with varying degrees of success. Whereas Torchwood became a U.S.-U.K. co-production, The Sarah Jane Adventures was largely mismarketed. To complicate matters, the interrelationships that keep the Doctor Who franchise alive through radio dramas, audiobooks, comics, novels, etc., during hiatuses in television broadcasts, may give U.S. and U.K. audiences different understandings of the lead characters--the Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness, and Sarah Jane Smith. Although the past decade has been an exciting time in the Whoniverse, the Doctor--and the franchise--are poised for yet another regeneration.

The Doctor Who Franchise: American Influence, Fan Culture and the Spinoffs

McFarland Company

Vincent van Gogh continues to fascinate more than a century after his death in 1890. Yet how much of what is commonly known about this world-renowned artist is accurate? Though he left thousands of works and a trove of letters, the definitive Van Gogh remains elusive. Was he a madman who painted his greatest pieces in a passionate fury or a lifelong student of art, literature and science who carefully planned each composition? Was he a loner dedicated only to his craft or an active collaborator with his contemporaries? Why is he best known for self-mutilation and "The Starry Night"? This book has biographers, scriptwriters, lyricists, actors, museum curators and tour guides, among others, presenting diverse interpretations of his life and work, creating a mythic persona that may, in fact, help us in the search for the real Van Gogh.

Van Gogh in Popular Culture

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

From the moment the eye opened, we have been captivated by the mysterious world of Lost. Each week the survivors face challenges and questions that are eerie as they are haunting real. For the first time, Unlocking the Mysteries of Lost takes an in-depth look at the island and its castaways, exploring the secrets behind their search for answers and meaning. Going deep into the heart of Lost, this essential guide for the true fan explores such questions as: o What does it mean to be lost? What does it take to be found? o Does Mr. Eko or Locke hold the spiritual key to the island? o How does one determine faith in the face of fate? o Does technology save or doom the Lost generation? Unlocking the Meaning of Lost also features the most extensive guide yet to the mysteries and secrets, such as: o Secrets found in The Stand and other texts o Clues hidden in Lost websites o Extensive glossary of characters and symbols o Complete character sketches and connections o Mysteriously similar names o The most credible theories o How the creators connect with fans online

Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide

Lavery, David

Television

Sourcebooks, Inc.

From the moment the eye opened, we have been captivated by the mysterious world of Lost. Each week the survivors face challenges and questions that are eerie as they are haunting real. For the first time, Unlocking the Mysteries of Lost takes an in-depth look at the island and its castaways, exploring the secrets behind their search for answers and meaning. Going deep into the heart of Lost, this essential guide for the true fan explores such questions as: - What does it mean to be lost? What does it take to be found? - Does Mr. Eko or Locke hold the spiritual key to the island? - How does one determine faith in the face of fate? - Does technology save or doom the Lost generation? Unlocking the Meaning of Lost also features the most extensive guide yet to the mysteries and secrets, such as: - Secrets found in The Stand and other texts - Clues hidden in Lost websites - Extensive glossary of characters and symbols - Complete character sketches and connections - Mysteriously similar names - The most credible theories - How the creators connect with fans online

Sports & Outdoors

The hit show Lost is a television phenomenon-and what brings fans back are the layers of clues that mystify and intrigue. Lost Clues, Secrets and Theories is the first in-depth guide to the hundreds of clues and mysteries embedded in the Lost world. Bestselling Lost experts Lynnette Porter and David Lavery provide an extensive guide to the clues and secrets of the show, detailing the connections between the secrets and anticipating what they will mean for the show's ultimate mystery. Using this guide, fans can decode new clues and connections while seeking to solve the mystery behind the show. Topics include: --Geographical clues --Exploring electromagnetism --New and old theories --Musical and other references --The best online resources --And much more Designed for impulse and word-of-mouth purchase, no Lost fan will want to watch an episode without this guide in hand.

Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know

When Battlestar Galactica reappeared in 2003-a revamp of the original series in which a "rag-tag fugitive fleet" of the last remnants of mankind flees pursuing aliens while simultaneously searching for Earth-it redefined what television science fiction should be about. Since then it has been critically claimed as one of the best shows on television while growing TV's strongest cult fandom of 2 million viewers. Now, as the series comes to its conclusion, fans are more eager than ever for more BSG. Acclaimed television experts Lynnette Porter, David Lavery and Hillary Robson, authors of the top-selling unauthorized Lost guides, provide fans with an in-depth look at the history, politics, themes and philosophies of the hit show. Topics include: --Battlestar Then and Now --Positions of Power --The Transformation of Baltar --Aliens Among Us: Political Realities and the Culture of Fear --Battlestar and the Bush Era --Thirty Years of Battlestar Fandom

Finding Battlestar Galactica: An Unauthorized Guide

Robson, Hilary

The Ultimate Unauthorized Resource to the Stories Behind Lost - Updated Through Season 4! Lost is a complex and mysterious tale, one that draws on many sources for its themes and ideas - sources you must understand to become an advanced Lost expert. Lost's Buried Treasures is the ultimate unauthorized guide to the ideas that have influenced the show and its writers - and completely updated through season 4. Readers can use this comprehensive handbook to discover new connections and unearth themes they may have missed, exploring: <ul>
<li>Books and movies important to the show and how they are connected</li> <li> Geographical clues</li> <li> New and old theories</li> <li> Musical references and the meaning behind the incredible soundtrack</li> <li> The best online resources</li> <li> The video and role-playing games and what they've revealed</li> <li> Cast, writer, and director biographies</li> <li> And much more 
</li> </ul>
NO TRUE LOST FAN SHOULD EVER WATCH AN EPISODE WITHOUT THIS CRUCIAL GUIDE IN HAND. Explore all the interconnected stories and mysterious references that make the show so fascinating.

Robson, Hillary

The Ultimate Unauthorized Resource to the Stories Behind Lost Lost is a complex and mysterious tale, one that draws on many sources for its themes and ideas―sources you must understand to become an advanced Lost expert. Lost's Buried Treasures is the ultimate unauthorized guide to the ideas that have influenced the show and its writers―and is completely updated through Season Five. Explore: Books and movies important to the show and how they are connected Geographical clues New and old theories Musical references and the meaning behind the incredible soundtrack The best online resources The video and role-playing games and what they've revealed Cast, writer, and director biographies And much more NO TRUE LOST FAN SHOULD EVER WATCH AN EPISODE WITHOUT THIS CRUCIAL GUIDE IN HAND. Explore all the interconnected stories and mysterious references that make the show so fascinating. DISCLAIMER: This book is an independent work of commentary, criticism, and scholarship. Neither this book, nor its author and publisher, are authorized, endorsed or sponsored by, or affiliated in any way with the copyright and trademark owner of Lost and/or the creators of Lost.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Porter, Lynnette. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Porter, Lynnette

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Porter, Lynnette. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Unsung Heroes of The Lord of the Rings: From the Page to the Screen

Tarnished Heroes, Charming Villains and Modern Monsters: Science Fiction in Shades of Gray on 21st Century Television

The Doctor Who Franchise: American Influence, Fan Culture and the Spinoffs

Van Gogh in Popular Culture

Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide

Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide

Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know

Finding Battlestar Galactica: An Unauthorized Guide

Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know

Lost's Buried Treasures: The Unofficial Guide to Everything Lost Fans Need to Know