The Tolkien Road

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor with "SA32 » The Edain Reach Númenor", in whch we’ll learn about the people who became Númenoreans, the various figures that aided them in establishing Númenor, and how they came to Númenor in the first place. Join us! If you’ve ever been curious about the rise and tragic downfall of Tolkien’s greatest kingdom — and how it ties i...

In this episode, we’ll be exploring the “Foundation of the Grey Havens and of Lindon” in Year 1 of the Second Age. Topics include the overthrow of Morgoth, Thranduil (father of Legolas), Gil-galad, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and Elros. Join us! If you’ve ever been curious about the rise and tragic downfall of Tolkien’s greatest kingdom — and how it ties into the Rings of Power and the epic drama...

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor with "Before the Second Age", a summary of the major events leading up to the story of Númenor. If you’ve ever been curious about the rise and tragic downfall of Tolkien’s greatest kingdom — and how it ties into the Rings of Power and the epic drama of the Second Age — you won’t want to miss this. And here’s the really exciting p...

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor with the volume's introduction, titled "The Saga of a Dark Age". If you’ve ever been curious about the rise and tragic downfall of Tolkien’s greatest kingdom — and how it ties into the Rings of Power and the epic drama of the Second Age — you won’t want to miss this. And here’s the really exciting part: I’ve got a brand-new book...

We’re bringing back one of our most popular journeys: our series on The Fall of Númenor! If you’ve ever been curious about the rise and tragic downfall of Tolkien’s greatest kingdom — and how it ties into the Rings of Power and the epic drama of the Second Age — you won’t want to miss this. And here’s the really exciting part: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Núm...

Hey there, fellow travelers! I’ve got some exciting news: my new book Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age is finally here. This has been years in the making. In fact, when I first started outlining it, Amazon’s Rings of Power series hadn’t even been announced. Now we’re two seasons in, and I think this book offers insights that are more timely than ever. T...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey concludes with Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age! The last chapter of The Silmarillion is a synoptic account of the Second and Third Ages which focuses upon the legends of the Rings of Power, all the way through the events of the late Third Age depicted in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It's something like a 50,000 foot view of the whole mass of Middle-ea...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Akallabêth - the Downfall of Númenor! “Akallabêth” is the synoptic account of Númenor in the Second Age of Middle-earth. This account spans almost 3500 years of history. It begins with the establishment of Númenor by Elros (brother of Elrond), and ends with the destruction of the island kingdom when its last king attempts to assail The Blessed Realm. Si...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 24 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath! In Chapter 24, the First Age comes to a cataclysmic end, as a hero undertakes a desperate journey to Valinor, and the powers of Aman gather for a transoceanic assault on the forces and strongholds of Morgoth! Silm Guide Link:  https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg27/...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 23 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin. With Doriath having fallen in Chapter 22, the remaining Elvish enclaves of Beleriand face increasing peril, and not even Gondolin can remain hidden from the forces of Morgoth forever! Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg26/ To support our work here, please visit P...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 22 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Ruin of Doriath! “Of the Ruin of Doriath” is not one of the longer chapters in The Silmarillion, but it is packed with hugely significant events as we rapidly approach the climactic catastrophes of the First Age! It all picks up after the death of Túrin and Nienor, Húrin’s children. Silm Guide Link: https://www...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 21 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Túrin Turambar. The tale of Túrin Turambar is a long one, rivaling “Of Beren and Lúthien” and “Akallabêth” as the longest chapter in The Silmarillion. It is also quite tragic, as we shall see. After giving a bit of background on Túrin’s ancestry, it picks up where the last chapter left off, with Túrin’s father Húri...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 20 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad! After Beren and Lúthien’s excellent adventure, what could possibly come next? Only a great battle brimming with bloodshed and “Unnumbered Tears” of course! First though, Tolkien provides a brief epilogue for Beren and Lúthien, giving them a happy ending, though, in true Tolkien...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 19 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Beren and Lúthien. In my view, “Of Beren and Lúthien” is the crown jewel of The Silmarillion. I love it so much I wrote a book about it. It was one of Tolkien’s favorites too, and it’s one of the longest chapters in The Silmarillion. It picks up where the last chapter left off, in the aftermath of the Battle of Sud...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 18 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin. In Chapter 18, Angband breaks loose upon Beleriand. What ensues is the The Battle of Sudden Flame and its terrible aftermath. Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg21/ To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Enjoy! OTHER LI...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 17 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Coming of Men Into the West. In Chapter 17, we learn of the first Men to enter into Beleriand. Furthermore, we learn about the beginnings of their relationship with the Elves, and what the term Edain means. By the way, this is the last relatively calm chapter in The Silmarillion. The stage has been set, and a l...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 16 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Maeglin. “Of Maeglin” represents a shift in the style of The Silmarillion. While we had previously been dealing in something like a chronicle of the various Elves in Beleriand, with this chapter the scope becomes much narrower, and we focus in on the story of Aredhel, the sister of Turgon, and on the hidden city of...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 15 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Noldor in Beleriand. In Chapter 15, Turgon establishes the secret and glorious realm of Gondolin, Galadriel becomes a handmaiden of Melian, and Thingol learns of the kinslaying! Silm Guide Link:  https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg18/ To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Enjoy!...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 14 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Beleriand and Its Realms. Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg17/ To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Enjoy! OTHER LINKS: Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/AQCD0gBtfoE Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/129220734/ Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon....

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 13 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Return of the Noldor. The action really picks back up in Chapter 13: a faceoff between Fëanor and Balrogs, the capture and torment of Maedhros, a confrontation with Thingol, and to top it all, Melkor introduces a dragon into the mix! Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to revisit the entire 30-epi...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 12 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Men. Yes, Chapter 12 introduces a mysterious new intelligent species to Middle-earth - the Atani, that is, the mortal people of mankind - and speaks of their first contact with the Elves of Beleriand. Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to revisit the entire 30-episode Silmarillion series that Greta a...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 11 of Quenta Silmarillion - 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 the disasters in the Ble...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 10 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of The Sindar. The Noldor, led by Fëanor, have re-entered Beleriand in pursuit of Morgoth and the Silmarils. This chapter brings us up to speed with the Elves that already inhabit Beleriand, especially the people of King Elwë Thingol (a.k.a. the Sindar) and what has transpired in the long span of years since their bre...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 9 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of The Flight Of The Noldor. With Melkor and Ungoliant having slain the Two Trees and stolen the Silmarils, Chapter 9 concerns the consequences of these actions for the Valar and the Elves, as well as the fate of Ungoliant. Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to revisit the entire 30-episode Silmarillion...

Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 8 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Darkening of Valinor. In Chapter 8, the bliss of Valinor comes to a sudden end as Melkor unleashes his sinister plot with the aid of the horrifying monster Ungoliant. Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to revisit the entire 30-episode Silmarillion series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022.  Wh...