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Wasn't Tolkien famously anti-science? Not according to Henry Gee in this entertaining, if sometimes fanciful, journey through Middle- earth. He argues that Tolkien was well aware of the light science sheds on everyday experience and that he railed against the use of science (or the resultant technology) to concentrate and wield power over others. This leads directly to his depiction of Sauron and Saruman, who burn trees and use heavy industry to forge their power, breed adulterated creatures and who work against the flow of nature, as characters of evil. The Hobbits, meanwhile, seem to eschew technology of any kind and, above all, love things that grow.