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Mar 28, 2006

If you liked The Lord of the Rings...




Available for the first time in 181 years, The Magic Ring by Baron de la Motte-Fouqué is an epic masterpiece.

I beg your indulgence regarding the self-interested nature of this post, but I'm proud to announce this project... and it even relates to liberty and power!

The Magic Ring
by Baron de la Motte-Fouqué
Edited by Amy H. Sturgis
Published by Valancourt Books


Preorder now and SAVE 20%!

Description of the Book
It is the twelfth century, the era of Richard the Lion-heart and the Third Crusade. Along the Danube, the tranquil world shared by cousins Otto von Trautwangen and Bertha von Lichtenried is changed forever when they witness a knightly contest for possession of a magic ring. Soon both are drawn into a quest that transforms them and endangers all they love. The resulting adventures lead each to different paths of enchantment and peril, from the mysteries of Moorish Spain to the birthplace of Norse mythology. While navigating an ever-changing sea of allies and foes, both natural and magical, the two seek love, honor, survival, and a ring that possesses more power than either can possibly understand. In the process, the two protagonists learn about individual responsibility, abusive power, sacrifice, and redemption.

In a seamless blend of medieval quest, epic fantasy, Gothic nightmare, historical romance, and religious allegory, Baron de la Motte-Fouqué masterfully relates a story that is as elemental as the bond of parent and child, and as profound as the concept of individualism. The Magic Ring draws on an impressive host of inspirations, such as Germanic folk tales and Icelandic sagas, Arthurian romance and Gothic horror. This novel has earned its place as a text of considerable historical significance, and yet it continues to offer an exhilarating reading experience for the contemporary audience.

Special Features Included with This Edition
This edition includes the complete original text of the first English version of The Magic Ring, the 1825 translation by Robert Pearse Gillies, as well as a scholarly introduction, a glossary of literary influences and references, and the complete text of Baron de la Motte-Fouqué’s 1820 short story “The Field of Terror,” also translated by Gillies.


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Just a few related articles

"Tolkien v. Power" by Alberto Mingardi
"Tolkien on Power and Market" by Alberto Mingardi and Carlo Stagnaro
"His Noblest Fantasy Had Little To Do With Elves and Wizards" by Vin Suprynowicz
"Tolkien's Ring: An Allegory for the Modern State" by Perry de Havilland
"Libertarian Novels" by Bob Wallace



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Amy H. Sturgis - 3/31/2006

Thank you kindly!


Aeon J. Skoble - 3/28/2006

Much obliged. And allow me to return the favor: I'll be sure to reference you when I teach the Neil Gaiman material...


Amy H. Sturgis - 3/28/2006

Thank you so much. Your lecture sounds fascinating! I find that the speculative fiction genres allow much more freedom and creativity in addressing very serious, often political issues. I'm grateful for your kind response.


Amy H. Sturgis - 3/28/2006

:-) Thanks so much! And your comment allows me to mention how I've referenced your terrific essay in my university course "J.R.R. Tolkien in History, Political Thought, and Literature." And so the cycle continues... ha!


Kenneth R. Gregg - 3/27/2006

This is a great find, Amy!
Looking forward to reading it. Some years back, I gave a lecture to my local science fiction group ( SNAFFU.org ) on themes in fantasy, relating to life experiences (common in the most popular) and mature political themes. This should be a good addition to the subject.
Cheers!
Just Ken


Aeon J. Skoble - 3/27/2006

Amy, never apologize for shameless self-promotion! Seriously, this is how we find out about each others' work. For example, I might use your reference to Tolkien to mention my essay "Virtue and Vice in The Lord of the Rings," in Bassham and Bronson's The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy. Whoops, I did it again... :-)