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: - 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

Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide

Lavery, David

Sports & Outdoors

Sourcebooks, Inc.

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

Television

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.

Sourcebooks

"Perhaps I should have realized that cancer runs in my family. After all, three grandparents and my father and brother perished from this disease. Yet, when I received my colorectal cancer diagnosis, I was surprised. I never expected to be primarily identified as a cancer patient. Following a typical combination of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and more chemo, I was presumably cancer-free when my post-treatment scans looked clean. Nonetheless, within a year I received a terminal diagnosis; cancer had metastasized in my lungs. Thus began my year as a dead woman--a time of chaotic emotions, new priorities, and rapid-fire plans and changes. Expecting the unexpected became a theme in my life, but the things that turned out to be most shocking are social, familial, and even my expectations about what is realistic for a dead woman to be or do." 
 Preconceptions about a terminal cancer diagnosis frequently are based on popular culture depictions of cancer and dying, which can be misleading as a guide for knowing what to expect when you're expecting to die. This memoir provides one woman's often-irreverent, pop culture-illustrated guide to life that deconstructs some common preconceptions about living with a terminal diagnosis.

A Year in the Life of a "Dead" Woman: Living with Terminal Cancer

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Diseases & Physical Ailments

Toplight Books

Travelers are buzzing about apitourism--or "bee tourism"--as an opportunity to get close to bees and learn about the ecology and industry they support. Apitours invite visitors to see what takes place inside a hive, taste fresh honey and observe its journey from comb to bottle. Apitourists explore "bee culture" through diverse activities--watching films, creating art, building "bee hotels," sampling mead, learning to plant pollinator gardens and documenting species in the wild. This guide presents an educational overview of apitourism, with an exploration of the fascinating world of bees and the sometimes controversial issues surrounding them.

Places to Bee: A Guide to Apitourism

Business & Money

Industries

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

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

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

A Year in the Life of a "Dead" Woman: Living with Terminal Cancer

Places to Bee: A Guide to Apitourism