The Tolkien Road

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 13, “Of the Return of the Noldor.”  In Chapter 13, we’ll learn of the fate of Fëanor, the second and third battles of Beleriand, and much more! Join us as we discuss! LINKS: Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age Show Notes:  https://www.tolkienroad.com/e02...

Hey there, Fellowship! My new book, Tolkien’s Tragedy , is available now in paperback! Visit TolkiensTragedy.com to learn more! This episode is a walkthrough of the book using the table of contents as a kind of map into the deeper themes. Númenor has always struck me as one of Tolkien’s most powerful creations—not just as a story within the legendarium, but as a meditation on power, mortality, and...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 12, “Of Men.”  Chapter 12 is exactly what it sounds like: the origin story of the Younger Children of Ilúvatar, the race of poor mortals known as Atani, or Men. Join us as we discuss! LINKS: Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age Show Notes:  https://www.to...

My new book, Tolkien's Tragedy , is now available for PRE-ORDER! Visit TrueMythsPress.com to learn more! In this episode, we’ll explore the events attributed to the year 2251 of the Second Age. Included among these events is the origin and rise of the Ring-wraiths, Sauron’s notorious NINE! We’ll see how the increasing Númenorean anxiety towards death served to create a spiritual environment that l...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 11, “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor.”  With the hurricane of catastrophes brought on by Morgoth’s murder of the Two Trees subsiding, the dust is settling, and the Valar have some decisions to make. Chapter 11 of The Silmarillion deals with the creation of the Sun and the Moon following...

In this episode, we consider the reign of Tar-Atanamir, the 13th ruler of Númenor. Atanamir’s reign was of major consequence for the people of Númenor, as his longing for immortality began to sow the seeds of discontent, restlessness, and malice toward the Eldar,  the Valar, and ultimately Ilúvatar Himself. Join us! Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/fXPQG4LYlGY Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreo...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 10, “Of the Sindar.”  In Chapter 10, the perspective shifts from the Blessed Realm to Beleriand, where it will remain for the rest of The Silmarillion. We jump back to where we left Beleriand - at the point when the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri all departed, leaving behind some of their brethren, who be...

In this episode, we’ll consider the events spanning the years of SA1731 thru SA2029, as Númenor spreads its influence over Middle-earth - and the Shadow spreads its influence over Númenor. Join us! Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/XagUWECRjVM Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/91796302 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/91796542 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad....

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 9, “Of the Flight of the Noldor.”  Chapter 9 of The Silmarillion brings us to the terrible aftermath of Valinor’s Darkening. Will Melkor be held to account? Can Ungoliant be stopped? Is there any saving the Two Trees? And what of the Silmarils? Join us as we discuss! LINKS: Show Notes: https://www.tol...

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring Sauron’s defeat and the first White Council. Join us! Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/par3Y0ph_9s Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/91403916 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/91403911 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0351/ Helpful Links: take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 8, “Of the Darkening of Valinor.”  Chapter 8 brings us to the great catastrophe of the Blessed Realm. What happens in this chapter sets in motion tidal waves of tragedies whose effects are felt, for good and for ill, down to the years of Frodo’s journey. Join us as we discuss! LINKS: Show Notes: https...

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring Sauron’s full scale invasion of Eriador and the subsequent counterattack of the Númenoreans. Join us! Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/D13ydcT42Oc Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90982103 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90981634 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0350...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 7, “Of the Silmarils & the Unrest of the Noldor.”  What are the Silmarils and what is their significance? We finally reach the answer to these questions in Chapter 7, learn of the intrigue surrounding them, and how their existence becomes a curse for the Blessed Realm. Join us as we discuss! LINKS...

With this episode, the War of Sauron Upon The Elves (aka The War of the Three Rings) begins! And given the relative length of the next 3 chapters, as well as their unified theme, I decided to combine them into this one episode. Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/DnI07pSeqXQ Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90407864 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90406553 Episode Webpag...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 6, “Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor.”  With Melkor having been imprisoned, Valinor enters a long era of peace. To Finwë, High King of the Noldor, a son is born: Fëanor, the “Spirit of Fire”, whose destiny is bound up with the fate of many. And all the while, a perilous shadow grows upon the Ble...

In this episode, we're continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor with "c1600 - Sauron Forges The One Ring”, including the construction of Barad-Dûr and the response of Celebrimbor to Sauron’s actions. Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/vZyIucaQEjg Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90163414 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90163358 Episode Webpage »   https://www....

In latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 5, “Of Eldamar & the Princes of the Eldalië.” With 3 groups of Elves - the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri - having arrived on the threshold of the Great Sea, they must make the final leg of their journey to the Land of the Valar, Aman, and will do so by extraordinary means. Once they arrive, they will est...

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor as we discuss the forging of the Three Elven Rings, as found in the chapter “c1590 - The Three Rings Are Completed in Eregion!” Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/IebxmG03nz8 Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/89693542 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/89693216 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad.c...

In episode 8 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 4, “Of Thingol and Melian.”  With Melkor imprisoned in Mandos and the Elves on the way to the Blessed Realm, we pause to consider a BRIEF love story that lays the groundwork for a FAR MORE EPIC love story later in The Silmarillion. Join us! LINKS: Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0282 SilmGuide Page: h...

In this episode, we discuss Sauron's "gifts" to the Noldor, and how their nature and past makes them particularly prone to Sauron's malevolent plot. Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/1tsKulWfUBk Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/88290129 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/88290143 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0346/ Helpful Links: take 10% OFF Tolkien Ro...

In episode 7 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 3, “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor.” While the Valar and the gods of the Blessed Realm dwell in relative security, Melkor labors ceaselessly to dominate the rest of the world, even as the dawn of the Children of Ilúvatar draws nigh. Join us! LINKS: Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.co...

In this episode, we find Sauron beginning to unveil his plot by winning over the Elven-smiths of Eregion. All the while, the Númenoreans begin to establish a permanent presence in Middle-earth. Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/cY5EmQrBD2k Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/150180402 Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/87936350 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroad.com...

In episode 6 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 2, “Of Aulë and Yavanna,” wherein we learn the origin stories for the Dwarves, the Ents, and more! LINKS: Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0279 SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg05/ Watch This Episode:  https://youtu.be/UbQhz9qR5JA Watch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1228...

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring the chapter SA1075 Tar-Ancalimë, the first ruling Queen of Númenor, and only child of Tar-Aldarion and Erendis. Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/eIFl6hkEV1A Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/149609267 Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/84730458 Episode Webpage »   https://www.tolkienroa...

In episode 5 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the second half of Chapter 1, “Of The Beginning of Days”. LINKS: Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0278 SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg04/ Watch This Episode:  https://youtu.be/aoFKAh__wDA Watch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122358918 Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/pos...