[Bêthberry]

What I find interesting is their analysis of Tolkien's own comments and letters. This is the first time I've seen a thoughtful evaluation of the contradictions and discrepancies in Tolkien's letters on a fan site. This is not to attack Tolkien but to engage in critical scholarly thought.

I see fans over and over quoting the letters without any thought about context and recipient and without considering the contradictions that exist within the letters and within statements Tolkien made. Kudos for Hammond and Scull for pointing out that memory can be faulty and that the farther removed from an event the more likely someone's recollections can err.