The Tolkien Road

Concerning "Of Beleriand and Its Realms," Chapter 14 of The Silmarillion...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 14, "Of Beleriand and Its Realms." In Chapter 14, we get a detailed run down of the geographical layout of Beleriand. It’s not the most exciting chapter, but hey, that never stopped us from going on and on about something. Topics of discussion include:Tolkien’s Gift for Descriptive LandscapesBut why put this chapter here? Things were just getting exciting!The Map = The Key...kind of.Beleriand’s BoundariesKey RealmsKey Cities —> Read About NargothrondAnd more!Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning "Of the Return of the Noldor," Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 13. In this chapter, the Noldor arrive in the north of Beleriand after their mass exodus from Valinor, only to be greeted by the armies of Morgoth. A lot happens in this chapter, and that means there’s a ton to talk about. Topics of discussion include:The 2nd Battle of BeleriandFëanor’s DeathMaedhros’ TormentThingol vs. the NoldorUlmo’s InfluenceThe Founding of NargothrondGaladriel & CelebornThe 3rd Battle of Beleriand (The Glorious Battle)Glaurung the First DragonSiege of AngbandCome get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning "Of Men", Chapter 12 of The Silmarillion...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 12, "Of Men". In this short chapter, we learn a bit about the early history of Men in Tolkien’s secondary world and how they relate to the Elves and the Valar.  Topics of discussion include:The Years of the SunThe Names of MenThe Works of UlmoOf Elves and MenThe Fate of MenThe Great MenAnd as always, we discuss our favorite passages and the haiku we composed for this chapter.Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

We're back! We apologize for our absence; it's time to move on down the road...On this episode of The Tolkien Road, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 11, Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor. We cover topics ranging from the "Happy Fault" philosophy of Manwë to the creation of the Sun and Moon to the curious inaction of the Valar.Poems 4:00The Death of Fëanor & “Evil Shall Be Good to Have Been" 13:00The Fruits of the Two Trees 24:00The Laziness of the Valinorians 29:00The Consequences of the Sun and Moon 36:00Morgoth Assails the Moon 41:50Fortifying & Hiding Valinor 43:15Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.  On this episode, we begin a discussion of Tolkien’s Letters by considering a 1963 letter he wrote to his son Michael. In this letter, Tolkien seeks to help Michael work through a period where he felt depressed. In doing so, Tolkien opens up about his own faith, and how he keeps his head afloat in the world.  By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!

Concerning "Of the Sindar", Chapter 10 of The Silmarillion, wherein we find out what's been happening back in Beleriand...Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien. On this episode, we resume our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 10, "Of the Sindar", wherein we learn what’s been going on with Thingol, Melian, and the rest of the folks that missed the boat to the Blessed Realm. By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!Topics of discussion include:Tolkien Haiku 5:15Silmarillion Review 17:45Beleriand Map 20:15How Long is 3 Ages? 21:30Thingol, Melian, and the Sindar 24:00Concerning Dwarves 26:50Orcs, Wolves, etc. 33:20Concerning the Nandor 40:15Oromë still rides 47:00Ungoliant spreads terror 48:00Morgoth Returns & The First Battle 49:30 The Girdle of Melian 55:00Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore

Concerning "Flight to the Ford," Book 1 Chapter 12 of The Lord of the Rings, wherein Strider and the hobbits deal with the aftermath of the Black Riders' attack...Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien. On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 12 of Fellowship, Flight to the Ford, wherein Strider and the hobbits make a last desperate dash for Rivendell. By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!Topics of discussion include:Tolkien Haiku (4:00)What Sam saw… (16:30)The mighty name of Elbereth (22:00)Athelas (24:40)Frodo’s regret (28:00)Frodo growing ill (34:00)Bilbo’s Trolls (36:45)Sam’s Poem (readaloud) (44:55)Glorfindel (51:00)Description of Black Riders (59:30)The Mighty Waters (1:07:00)Favorite Passages (1:12:00)Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the his

Concerning "A Knife in the Dark," Book 1, Chapter 11 of The Lord of the Rings, wherein the hobbits Strider set out on the long road to Rivendell...Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.  On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 11 of Fellowship, A Knife in the Dark, wherein the hobbits depart Bree with Strider, rmake their way to Weathertop, and get attacked by the Black Riders. We also discuss Strider’s telling of the tale of Tinúviel as well as the legendary Gil-galad.  By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!"Topics of discussion include:Tolkien Haiku for Book 1, Chapter 11 of LOTR (6:20)Departing Bree (20:00)The Journey to Weathertop (23:30)Gilgalad (37:10)How the Black Riders sense things (42:30)The Tale of Tinúviel (46:00)The Attack of the Black Riders (

Concerning "Strider", Book 1, Chapter 10 of The Lord of the Rings, wherein we learn more about the mysterious Ranger... Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.  On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 10 of Fellowship, "Strider", wherein we learn more about the mysterious Ranger, receive Gandalf’s letter, and find out about Merry’s run in with the Black Riders. We also discuss the wonderful “All that glitters is not gold” poem.  By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!Topics of discussion include:Tolkien Haiku for Book 1, Chapter 10 (~3:00)"Behind the Haiku" by Greta (~9:45)Guest Haiku (~13:45)Greta's favorite passage (~16:45)John's favorite passage (~30:20)Gandalf's Letter (~32:30)Gandalf's whereabouts (~36:15)Merry's return (~39:15)The good will of Butterbur

Concerning "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony", Book 1, Chapter 9 of The Lord of the Rings, in which the hobbits visit Bree...Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.  On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 9 of Fellowship, At the Sign of the Prancing Pony, wherein we experience the town of Bree, meet the mysterious Ranger Strider, see the Ring play a trick, and are entertained by Frodo’s rendition of the Man in the Moon. By the way, if you haven’t already, please leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of the podcast. Enjoy the show!Topics of discussion include:Tolkien Haiku for Book 1, Chapter 9 (~6:45)Favorite passages from Book 1, Chapter 9 (~19:00)Barrows & Barrow-wights: Corrections & Clarifications (~26:40)Bree (~31:20)Strider (~39:35)The Ring Incident (~52:14)And much more!Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the

Concerning "Fog on the Barrow-Downs", Book 1, Chapter 8 of The Lord of the Rings, in which the Barrow-wight attacks...What is a Barrow-wight? Who are the men of Carn-Dûm? Is there any connection between them and the Black Riders? What’s up with Frodo’s latest mysterious dream? On this episode of The Tolkien Road, we discuss all this and more as we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 8 of Fellowship, "Fog on the Barrow Downs."Topics of discussion include:What is a barrow?What is a barrow-wight?Who are the men of Carn-dûm?Saying goodbye to Goldberry.How this chapter shows the vast ancient history of Middle-earth.Frodo's dream.And much more!Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning "In the House of Tom Bombadil", Book 1, Chapter 7 of The Lord of the Rings, in which we ponder all things Bombadil...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 7 of Fellowship, "In the House of Tombadil". As the title of this chapter would suggest, our discussion on this episode consists mainly in attempting to answer the question “Who is Tom Bombadil?” We consider both the evidence contained in this chapter as well as the things Tolkien had to say about Bombadil in his letters. It’s an easy question to get lost in, and we have a lot of fun exploring it. Topics of discussion include:Who is Tom Bombadil?Who is Goldberry?What does it mean that Tom is "Master?"How has Tom taken a "vow of poverty?"How can Tom have power over Old Man Willow?Why did Tolkien include Tom in the story even though he admitted he didn't do much to advance the plot?And much more!Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the

Concerning "The Old Forest", Book 1, Chapter 6 of The Lord of the Rings, in which Frodo and company enter the Perilous Realm...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 6 of Fellowship, "The Old Forest", in which Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin set out on their journey through the Old Forest and encounter a far more dangerous road than they expected. Chapter 6 also introduces the mysterious Tom Bombadil, one of Tolkien’s most enigmatic figures. There’s a lot to talk about, including:Who is Old Man Willow?Why does the Old Forest seem alive?The beauty of the word "Withywindle"Our favorite passages from this chapterThe location of Tom Bombadil's houseAnd much more!Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning "A Conspiracy Unmasked", Book 1, Chapter 5 of The Lord of the Rings, in which our heroes decide to take a bath and the road less travelled...On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book1, Chapter 5 of Fellowship, "A Conspiracy Unmasked", in which Frodo, Sam, and Pippin enjoy a warm bath and decide to make their way to Bree via the ominous Old Forest. Chapter 5 stands out as the last “Shire” chapter, the deep breath before the hobbits plunge into epic danger and adventure. As such, it establishes the good things that the hobbits must leave behind in order to carry the Ring to safety. Chapter 5 ends with an account of Frodo’s numinous tower dream, which, although quite enigmatic, seems to hold a great deal of significance for Tolkien based upon its similarities to a pre-Hobbit work of his. Though not a lot of advancing action happens in Chapter 5, there’s still plenty to talk about, as is always the case with Tolkien.Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the hist

Concerning Book 1 Chapter 4 of The Fellowship of the Ring, “A Shortcut to Mushrooms”...On this episode of The Tolkien Road, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book 1, Chapter 4 of Fellowship, "A Shortcut to Mushrooms." This is a strange chapter. It could be argued that it’s the most uneventful chapter in the whole book, with no major development in plot and not much new information revealed. Nevertheless, Tolkien chose to include it, and so on this episode we consider why he did.  We also examine the development of various characters, including Sam and Farmer Maggot. And on the haiku front, a surprise is unveiled. Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning Book 1 Chapter 3 of The Fellowship of the Ring, “Three Is Company”... On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Book1, Chapter 3 of Fellowship, Three Is Company. In this chapter, Frodo sets out from Hobbiton and does a whole lot of walking. Of course, he also has a near disastrous run-in with the mysterious black riders and encounters Gildor, a Noldoran Elf of the First Age. Also, thanks to contributions from listeners, we experience a veritable haiku tsunami. I hope you enjoy our discussion.Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning Book 1 Chapter 2 of The Fellowship of the Ring, “The Shadow of the Past”... On this episode of the Tolkien Road, we continue our discussion of The Lord of the Rings with Chapter 2 of Fellowship, "The Shadow of the Past." While consisting mostly in dialogue, I consider this to be one of the prime examples of why I love Tolkien’s style so much. Along the way we discuss our love of Sam Gamgee and how anyone could possibly not love him, as well as engage in a brief though heated discussion of the literary merits of The Hunger Games. I hope you enjoy our conversation.Please leave us a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of The Tolkien Road. Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

Concerning Book 1 Chapter 1 of The Fellowship of the Ring, “A Long Expected Party”... On this episode of The Tolkien Road, we finally launch into Chapter 1 of The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long Expected Party". Among other things, we discuss the themes of magic, legend, and locality as they play out in this chapter, as well as the indications that Bilbo’s Ring is more than just a curious artifact. Plus, we do the math on Bilbo's infamous compliment, and determine it was kind of a nice thing to say. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Please leave us a rating and feedback on iTunes. We’d love to know what you think of The Tolkien Road. Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

On this episode of The Tolkien Road, we examine and discuss Tolkien’s influential essay On Fairy-Stories. While both Greta and I are hungry to start our read-through of The Lord of the Rings, I felt it was important to consider the ideas Tolkien lays out in On Fairy-Stories because of the role they play in The Lord of the Rings. After all, this is the place where he lays out the distinctively Tolkienian concepts of Recovery, Escape, Consolation, Subcreation, and Eucatastrophe. Similarly, he discusses his ideas of how story-telling and the story of Jesus Christ are related. It’s quite beautiful and insightful. I hope you enjoy our discussion.Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.

On this episode of Tolkien Road, we continue with The Lord of the Rings by discussing the Prologue, the section that begins with "Concerning Hobbits." We cover the origin and nature of hobbits, pipeweed, the structure of hobbit society, and Bilbo's little white lie regarding Gollum and the Ring. We also examine the fascinating narrative structure that Tolkien begins to apply in this section.Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien Road is the podcast of the website TrueMyths.org. You can learn more by following @tolkienwisdom on Twitter and following TrueMyths.org on Facebook at Facebook.com/TrueMyths.