The Tolkien Road

Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien. On this special Good Friday episode, we take a moment to consider the place of March 25th, a date of major significance, in Tolkien’s works and philosophy.  We'll see the role it plays within The Lord of the Rings, as well as how it ties the book to Tolkien's Catholic faith. 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!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.

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 Silmarillion with Chapter 23, "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin", wherein Tuor the son of Huor comes to Gondolin with a dire warning from Ulmo. There’s a whole lot to discuss!  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...Haiku - 4:00Tuor’s Background - 15:30Ulmo & Tuor - 21:00Turgon Won’t Heed Ulmo’s Warning - 30:00Tuor, Idril & Maeglin's Plot - 39:00Tuor, Idril, and Eärendil - 42:00Morgoth Attacks; Glorfindel's Heroics - 52:00Tuor & Idril Flee to Arvernien - 1:00:00Ulmo & the Valar - 1:02:30Tuor & Idril Into the West? - 1:06:30Come 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 websit

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 Silmarillion with Chapter 22, "Of the Ruin of Doriath", wherein Húrin is released from his 28-year bondage and doom comes to Thingol's kingdom. There’s a whole lot to discuss! By the way, if you haven’t already, please pop on over to iTunes and leave us a rating and feedback. It’s easy to do, only takes a moment, and can make a big difference in helping us spread the word about the show! Thanks for listening, and enjoy the episodeHaiku - 5:00Húrin, Gondolin, and the Eagles - 11:45Húrin and Morwen - 22:00Nargothrond, Mîm, and the Nauglamir - 36:00Thingol’s Downfall - 43:00Melian’s Exodus - 51:00Beren, Lúthien, and Díor - 55:00The Sons of Fëanor and the Sack of Doriath - 1:02:30Come 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

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 discussing Chapter 21 of The Silmarillion, Of Túrin Turambar. It’s a pretty tragic tale, only slightly more depressing than the current election cycle. LOL! If you liked that bit of topical humor then leave us a rating and feedback on iTunes! Heck, even if you didn’t, leave us a rating anyway. It’s easy to do, only takes a moment, and is the best way to show your appreciation for what we’re doing here. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show!Túrin & Finduilas - 11:00Ulmo’s Warning & Túrin’s Hubris - 20:00The Sack of Nargothrond - 28:00Slaying of the Easterlings & Finduilas’ Death - 32:00Morwen & Nienor - 37:30Túrin and Níenel - 47:00Túrin Slays Glaurung - 52:00Nienor’s Death - 1:02:00Reckonings and the Black Blade Broken - 1:09:00Tragedy - 1:19:00Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of t

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 our discussion of Chapter 21 of The Silmarillion, "Of Túrin Turambar". The tale of Túrin is a long one, so it’s definitely going to take more than one episode to cover. It’s also quite tragic and sad, so make sure you’ve got a box of tissues nearby. Speaking of tragedies, it would certainly be tragic if you missed this opportunity to leave The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. It’s easy to do, only takes a moment, and is the best way to show your appreciation for what we’re doing here. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show!Haiku - 2:30Tolkien on Túrin - 10:30The Lay of the Children of Húrin - 14:30Túrin’s family history - 17:30Túrin in Doriath - 23:30Túrin’s Pride - 30:00Beleg, the Sword, and Lembas - 36:00Mîm the Petty-Dwarf - 40:00The Counsels of Morgoth - 51:30Túrin captured - 53:00Beleg’s Death - 57:30The Curse of Húrin - 59:30Come get lost in Mi

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 discuss Chapter 20 of The Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad". It’s an action-packed chapter and an important turning point in the fortunes of the Eldar.  By the way, if you haven’t already, please pop on over to iTunes and leave us a rating and feedback. It’s easy to do, only takes a moment, and can make a big difference in helping us spread the word about the show! Thanks for listening, and enjoy the episodeHaiku time - 5:00Beren and Lúthien epilogue - 14:00The Union of Maedhros - 19:00Turgon Arrives - 29:00The Fifth Battle: Unnumbered Tears - 32:30The Triumph of Morgoth - 50:00Cirdan and the Seven Ships - 58:30Húrin’s Torment - 1:03:00Come 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 @tolkienwisdo

Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien. This week, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion Chapter 19, the story of Beren and Lúthien.  By the way, if you haven’t already, please pop on over to iTunes and leave us a rating and feedback. It’s easy to do, only takes a moment, and can make a big difference in helping us spread the word about the show! Thanks for listening, and enjoy the episodeBeren and Finrod in the Dungeon - 4:30Lúthien and Huan to the rescue - 7:00Lúthien the Dreamweaver - 24:00Celegorm & Curufin - 28:00The invasion of Angband - 34:30Carcharoth’s Rampage - 39:30A Silmaril Obtained - 43:00The Return to Doriath - 52:00The Hunt - 1:00:00Lúthien’s Plea - 1:05:00Come 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 TrueM

Concerning "Of Beren and Lúthien", Chapter 19 of The Silmarillion...Hey there fellow travelers! Welcome to The Tolkien Road, a long walk through the works and philosophy of J.R.R. Tolkien.  It’s our 50th episode! And it also just so happens to be the episode where we discuss Chapter 19 of The Silmarillion, “Of Beren and Lúthien.” It’s an amazing chapter, an epic tale all by itself, so epic that we weren’t able to cram it all in to one episode. So this is part 1, with part 2 to follow next time. If you haven’t read the story before, we hope you’ll be inspired to do so by our conversation. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show!- Haiku - 6:30- Tolkien’s letters concerning Beren and Lúthien - "The Seed of Middle-earth” - 16:00- Barahir’s band - 25:00- Gorlim & Sauron - 26:30- Beren and Lúthien meet - 35:00- Thingol’s brideprice - 49:00- Finrod vs. Sauron: A Battle of Song - 1:04:00Come get lost in Middle-earth and explore the history and background of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Road 

Concerning "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin", Chapter 18 of The Silmarillion...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 Silmarillion with Chapter 18, "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin", wherein Angband breaks loose upon Beleriand with incredible fury. There’s a whole lot to discuss! Enjoy the show!- Poems 4:00- Fingolfin’s forebodeing 15:00- The Battle of Sudden Flame 19:00- Barahir Saves Finrod 25:20- Fingolfin vs. Morgoth 30:00- A New High King 42:50- Minas Tirith 45:00- Húrin and Huor in Gondolin 51:00- Missions to Valinor 57:00- Barahir’s Band 59:45Come 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 Coming of Men Into the West", Chapter 17 of The Silmarillion... Hey there fellow travelers! On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 17, Of the Coming of Men into the West, wherein we learn of the origin of the Edain, also known as Men. Chapter 17 is the last bit of stage-setting before the pace really begins to pick up again. Enjoy the show!Poems 1:30The 3 Houses of Men 14:00Finrod’s Music 18:30The Darkness That Lies Behind 21:00Green-Elves & Men = Unfriends 26:45Finrod & Bëor 28:30Edain/Atani/Men 29:45Thingol & Melian’s Prophecy 32:00Bereg’s Rebellion 34:15Haleth and the Haladin 38:45Beör’s Death 42:30Come 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 Maeglin", Chapter 16 of The Silmarillion...Hey there fellow travelers! On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 16, Of Maeglin, wherein we learn the story the dark elf Eöl and the Noldorin princess Aredhel. By the way, if you haven’t already, we would really appreciate it if you left The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. There’s no better way to declare your undying love for this podcast. Enjoy the show!Pronunciation 1:30Poems 4:20Aredhel's Wanderlust & Travels 9:00Concerning Eöl - 23:30Concerning Maeglin - 31:30The Escape - 37:30Curufin and Eöl - 41:00Turgon, Eöl, and the Tragedy of Aredhel - 45:00Idril and Maeglin - 52:00Come 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 Noldor in Beleriand", Chapter 15 of The Silmarillion...Hey there fellow travelers! On this episode, we continue our discussion of The Silmarillion with Chapter 15, "Of the Noldor in Beleriand", wherein we learn of the founding of Gondolin, and the wicked deeds of the Noldor come to light. By the way, if you haven’t already, we would really appreciate it if you left The Tolkien Road a rating and feedback on iTunes. There’s no better way to declare your undying love for this podcast. Enjoy the show!Haiku TimeTurgon, Ulmo, and Gondolin - 11:15Galadriel and Melian - 23:30Thingol’s ban - 29:45Come 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 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 (