The Marvel of it all....

[Keeper of Dol Guldur]

I'd just like to take up a whole forum topic just to marvel at the wonder that is Middle Earth. Think about it, it takes every legend pretty much known to man, and combines them flawlessly, but do you ever notice it, no, because the characters in the book are so intriguing themselves, and the events are so important that none of the fantasy even matters. But to name a few:
Dragons
Demons
Judeo-Christian myth
Greek type elemental gods
Elves
Goblins
Trolls
Dwarves
Ghosts
Atlantis
Leprechuans (Bombadillo anyone?)
Water Nymphs (Goldberry)
Wizards
Boy, that's not even breaking the ice, but it combines them with history-
Variags=Mongol types
Balcoth/Wainriders=the Huns
the Rohirrim are slightly Arian Germanic people (Blonde hair, Blue eyes, tall and strong)
Harad=Zulu-very similar
and the list goes on and on. It's simply amazing. And everyone pretty much knows it. Movies, websites, forums devoted to arguing over interpretation of it, and extra books just to explain the history behind it. You almost have to appreciate it. Even high school and college courses are devoted to teaching this stuff, and it's been around for more than half a century! All because one man got an idea out of nowhere, and invented hobbits. Damn!