If one is solely interested in exploring the content of the LOTR, one is bound to be disappointed by these lectures, nonetheless, the context, literary, historical and religious, is essential to a deeper appreciation of Tolkien, the writings and the man. These lectures provide a rich resource of background information on Tolkien's works, as well as the application of Tolkien's transcendent visionary mythos to the perennial crisis of the human condition, and I don't think it's quite fair to dismiss the thoughtful insights of these lectures as "disappointing propaganda." I am grateful to Dr. John West for pointing out from the outset of the this lecture series, that Tolkien detested allegory, and yet, that "Universal Moral Principles," as elucidated by Tolkien et al, are "applicable" in this time of ephemeral cultural relativisim and moral ambiguity, as they were in Tolkien's time, when the Balrogs of totalitarian ideology ravaged the planet.

I only listened to half of this; but the intent of the lecture seemed clear. Mr. West hopes to convince the listener that the popularity of the LOTR is due to its use of universally appealing themes, and those themes are also the morals of Christianity. Therefore Christianity must be correct in all of its beliefs. I have no problem with Christianity, but I was more interested in learning about the world of Tolkien.