Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating insights about commonly accepted history
Review: Laurence Gardner is an extremely well-read individual who has come up with some interesting theories about where our commonly accepted historical facts originated from. This was not an easy book to read as there are numerous genealogies given and the sheer volume of different names was sometimes difficult to keep up with. However, I learned quite a bit in a short amount of time about the underlying sources of a lot of myths and stories that I had taken for granted. In Mr.Gardner's book, a strange thread begins with the Annunaki, or Shining Ones, and ties together Scythians, Picts, Merovingians, elves, fairies, mermaids, and various other fantastical creatures. The assertion is that the Catholic Church through its propaganda sought to discredit and make caricatures of real events and people that it found threatening to its domination; thus, we now have interesting myths and stories that most people regard as imaginative, but "unreal". In Realm of the Ring Lords, the Catholic Church is revealed as having tried to suppress the truth and rewrite history in such a way as to be conducive to its needs.
Some of the links that Mr.Gardner makes between various cultures and dynastic families do seem tenuous, and oftentimes he makes assertions without citing his sources, but overall I found the book intriguing and I agree with his conclusion that the (*Spoiler*)assertion that "our cultural identity being from the classical scholarship of Greece or from the imperial majesty of Rome, these things are entirely untrue. Such establishments appeared very late in the day."
This is an incredible book, and while I didn't agree with all of the assumptions made, I would have to say that I feel better informed after having read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for the casual reader
Review: Constant and endless genealogies, plots and subplots makes this one a difficult read indeed. If you have the powers of concentration and determined drive necessary to follow and truly absorb this book I applaud you. I'm a little bit affraid of you but impressed.
Rating:
Summary: Mysticism explained!
Review: Following his previous great works Gardner has crystalised some of his more controversial ideas of the origins of some tales of Goth. Aptly termed realm of the ring lords, this book begins with the intriguing offer on the possible historical truth of the Lord of the rings trilogy.Ever wondered why stories of goblins and fairies persist? Here you get the answers you always wanted. As you read further you will find startling revelations of the origins of dracula. werewolves etc . Certainly I have found this genre difficult to defend but Gardner as usual delivers tempting evidence of his theories. Readers of his previous books will appreciate this edition if only for the mythical slant taken.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating exploration of myths and their hidden meanings
Review: Gardner continues with his adventurous scholarship and speculative conclusions about occult history. There are many excellent insights about the mystical and aristocratic traditions represented in popular mythologies, such as the "ring" stories and the grail legends. However, Gardner is an insider of sorts, and promotes the ideas of his own lineage, at times evading or glossing over some issues, such as the origin of the Annunaki & Shining Ones. This book is an excellent read and thought provoking, but some of the author's conclusions are questionable.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating exploration of myths and their hidden meanings
Review: Gardner continues with his adventurous scholarship and speculative conclusions about occult history. There are many excellent insights about the mystical and aristocratic traditions represented in popular mythologies, such as the "ring" stories and the grail legends. However, Gardner is an insider of sorts, and promotes the ideas of his own lineage, at times evading or glossing over some issues, such as the origin of the Annunaki & Shining Ones. This book is an excellent read and thought provoking, but some of the author's conclusions are questionable.
Rating:
Summary: A Fairy Tale Come True
Review: In anticipation of Laurence Gardner's new book, Realm of the Ring Lords, I re-read his previous two works, Bloodline of the Holy Grail, and Genesis of the Grail Kings. Both of them were groundbreaking books, revealing, in the first instance, convincing theories about the progeny of the dynastic marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and the intriguing influence of their descendents throughout European history; and, in the second instance, a fascinating theory of the origin of the Grail King lineage, starting in ancient Sumer, and evolving, through Babylonia, Egypt, and Canaan, up to, and including, Jesus.Gardner not only has access to the private libraries of the current Grail Family members, but he has a remarkable facility with languages. Both of these assets come into play in his newest work, The Realm of the Ring Lords. As a result of the incontrovertible practice of the Roman Church to exterminate anyone whom it declared a "heretic", the Grail Family, and the theology and tradition it represented, were forced to remain underground for many centuries. The powerful and persuasive essence of the Grail tradition, though, was kept alive all the while by a coded folklore, which created all kinds of elves, fairies, leprechauns, pixies, gnomes, heroes/heroines, etc., many of which we have all heard of at one time or another. Gardner has successfully translated all the fairy-tale "fiction" into an enchanting, but very real history, based on his deep understanding of the Grail tradition, and his adept use of etymology. While this book doesn't rival his other two in terms of earth-shaking revelations, it does complement the other two by providing a deeply satisfying explanation of the effects of the Grail tradition on European cultural and literary heritage that, heretofore, had been accepted as fantasy, but now are very real and significant. If you haven't read any of Gardner's work, don't start with this one. He makes frequent references to his previous books, and assumes that the reader is familiar with them. If you have read both of his other books, I think you will enjoy this guided tour and interpretation of Europe's folklore.
Rating:
Summary: A Fairy Tale Come True
Review: In anticipation of Laurence Gardner's new book, Realm of the Ring Lords, I re-read his previous two works, Bloodline of the Holy Grail, and Genesis of the Grail Kings. Both of them were groundbreaking books, revealing, in the first instance, convincing theories about the progeny of the dynastic marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and the intriguing influence of their descendents throughout European history; and, in the second instance, a fascinating theory of the origin of the Grail King lineage, starting in ancient Sumer, and evolving, through Babylonia, Egypt, and Canaan, up to, and including, Jesus. Gardner not only has access to the private libraries of the current Grail Family members, but he has a remarkable facility with languages. Both of these assets come into play in his newest work, The Realm of the Ring Lords. As a result of the incontrovertible practice of the Roman Church to exterminate anyone whom it declared a "heretic", the Grail Family, and the theology and tradition it represented, were forced to remain underground for many centuries. The powerful and persuasive essence of the Grail tradition, though, was kept alive all the while by a coded folklore, which created all kinds of elves, fairies, leprechauns, pixies, gnomes, heroes/heroines, etc., many of which we have all heard of at one time or another. Gardner has successfully translated all the fairy-tale "fiction" into an enchanting, but very real history, based on his deep understanding of the Grail tradition, and his adept use of etymology. While this book doesn't rival his other two in terms of earth-shaking revelations, it does complement the other two by providing a deeply satisfying explanation of the effects of the Grail tradition on European cultural and literary heritage that, heretofore, had been accepted as fantasy, but now are very real and significant. If you haven't read any of Gardner's work, don't start with this one. He makes frequent references to his previous books, and assumes that the reader is familiar with them. If you have read both of his other books, I think you will enjoy this guided tour and interpretation of Europe's folklore.
Rating:
Summary: Behind The Fantasy: The Truth About Fiction
Review: Laurence Gardner completes his "Holy Grail" trilogy (Bloodline Of The Holy Grail, Genesis Of Thee Grail Kings) with this book, "Realm of the Ring Lords". The book is once again full of a plethora of information, as well as lush illustrations. Laurence Gardner may write like a mystic novelist, but his keen perception of words (he is as much an etymologist as he is a historian) make the fiction very truthful. After all, myth has some basis on true facts. In "Realm of the Ring Lords", Gardner takes an inside look on the mystic origins of "ring" legends and how they relate to the Holy Grail. Garder has proposed that the Holy Grail, a feminine symbol, represents the bloodline of Jesus and his union with Mary Magdalene. In "Genesis Of The Grail Kings", he further explores the personages of Abraham and Moses. Time after time, in true Kabbala tradition, Gardner elevates the man/woman relationship and the procreational power, especially of prominent figures. In fairy tales, such as Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel, there is always a helpless maiden, a woman frustrated because she has no male consort- Sleeping Beauty was cursed with a sleeping spell and Rapunzel was kept a prisoner in a tower, only to be saved by a handsome prince. This, Gardner insists, is only another manifestation of the Grail legends, of the inevitable union of man and woman for dynastic intentions, such as those dating back to old Sumerian civilizations. The same applies to the ring lore. Rings, symbols of eternity and perpetual bloodline. The rings of power have been the source of inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and the Wagner opera "Ring of the Nibelung" which he had himself taken from the Norse sagas. Gardner further explores the great cycle of legends revolving around King Arthur, the Round Table and the Knights Of The Holy Grail. King Arthur, without a question, is a parody of Jesus, a triumphant Christian king who will return once again in dark days to save people, a wounded king during "the wasteland" who can only be saved and healed by the life-giving Holy Grail. Arthur's purity was never a question in the old legends. Lancelot and his carnal affair with Guenevere, a violation of the balance between Arthur and Guenevere's marriage and the stability of the Round Table (which both coexisted in a mystic bond), made the ideal of Camelot become merely an ideal, and less a reality. A great book, with deep insight on mythology and the meaning of legends. Laurence Gardner concludes his trilogy with a very thought-provoking book. Eventhough one cannot believe every thing, per letter about anything, one must always have in mind that in fiction, there is always some element of truth.
Rating:
Summary: Behind The Fantasy: The Truth About Fiction
Review: Laurence Gardner completes his "Holy Grail" trilogy (Bloodline Of The Holy Grail, Genesis Of Thee Grail Kings) with this book, "Realm of the Ring Lords". The book is once again full of a plethora of information, as well as lush illustrations. Laurence Gardner may write like a mystic novelist, but his keen perception of words (he is as much an etymologist as he is a historian) make the fiction very truthful. After all, myth has some basis on true facts. In "Realm of the Ring Lords", Gardner takes an inside look on the mystic origins of "ring" legends and how they relate to the Holy Grail. Garder has proposed that the Holy Grail, a feminine symbol, represents the bloodline of Jesus and his union with Mary Magdalene. In "Genesis Of The Grail Kings", he further explores the personages of Abraham and Moses. Time after time, in true Kabbala tradition, Gardner elevates the man/woman relationship and the procreational power, especially of prominent figures. In fairy tales, such as Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel, there is always a helpless maiden, a woman frustrated because she has no male consort- Sleeping Beauty was cursed with a sleeping spell and Rapunzel was kept a prisoner in a tower, only to be saved by a handsome prince. This, Gardner insists, is only another manifestation of the Grail legends, of the inevitable union of man and woman for dynastic intentions, such as those dating back to old Sumerian civilizations. The same applies to the ring lore. Rings, symbols of eternity and perpetual bloodline. The rings of power have been the source of inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and the Wagner opera "Ring of the Nibelung" which he had himself taken from the Norse sagas. Gardner further explores the great cycle of legends revolving around King Arthur, the Round Table and the Knights Of The Holy Grail. King Arthur, without a question, is a parody of Jesus, a triumphant Christian king who will return once again in dark days to save people, a wounded king during "the wasteland" who can only be saved and healed by the life-giving Holy Grail. Arthur's purity was never a question in the old legends. Lancelot and his carnal affair with Guenevere, a violation of the balance between Arthur and Guenevere's marriage and the stability of the Round Table (which both coexisted in a mystic bond), made the ideal of Camelot become merely an ideal, and less a reality. A great book, with deep insight on mythology and the meaning of legends. Laurence Gardner concludes his trilogy with a very thought-provoking book. Eventhough one cannot believe every thing, per letter about anything, one must always have in mind that in fiction, there is always some element of truth.
Rating: 
Summary: Just plain false
Review: Setting aside Gardner's overt racism and fanciful unfounded theories... this book just doesn't come close to a true explanation of Tolkien's work. It heaps incorrect assumptions atop falsified 'facts' to twist Tolkien's work around to support Gardner's delusions.
The sources and nature of Tolkien's work are readily available in the 'History of Middle-earth' series edited by his son Christopher and 'The Letters of JRR Tolkien' edited by Humphrey Carpenter. Copies of the original draft materials Tolkien wrote are given as well as his own statements about his meanings and the historical connections to his work. Gardner gets almost EVERYTHING wrong... to the point that one must assume he didn't actually review any of this extensive material from Tolkien himself. Instead, Gardner simply took the finished book and started inventing a history and basis for it which would conform with Gardner's own theories of racial superiority. Which Tolkien called "the wholly pernicious race doctrine" espoused by that "ruddy little ignoramous" Adolf Hitler. His reaction to Gardner would undoubtedly have been similar.
If you want to learn more about Tolkien and his stories this book has nothing to offer you. It is all about co-opting Tolkien's name to further an agenda he despised.
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