Fascinating (if you like geeky things - a fair assumption if you're at this blog anyway) survey of the literary inspirations for Dungeons & Dragons.
Tolkien always gets the credit (for pretty much everything), but the author tracks down the references to Burroughs, Vance ("MAGIC!"), Howard and Leiber. All well-earned. The Lovecraftian connection was initially a little tenuous, but, upon reflection, I'm willing to grand mind flayers a Cthuhloid inspiration (creepy, squid-faced, mental attacks... alright...)
