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. The full text is almost finished, but I’m still deciding on the best way to publish it. For now, I’m ...
Aug 25, 2025•12 min
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-earth's history after the First Age, right on through the story of Frodo and the Fellowship. Silm Guid...
Aug 18, 2025•1 hr 12 min
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. Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg28/ To support our work here, please visit Pa...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 14 min
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/ To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Also, I've just launched a new Subst...
Aug 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min
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 Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack....
Jul 28, 2025•41 min
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.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg25/ To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad . Al...
Jul 21, 2025•54 min
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 Húrin imprisoned in Angband. The chapter then focuses in on Túrin’s life. Silm Guide Link: https://www.t...
Jul 14, 2025•49 min
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 Tolkienian fashion, leaving Melian with a “grief of loss” heavier than anyone has ever known. Silm Guide Lin...
Jul 07, 2025•45 min
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 Sudden Flame. Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg22/ To support our work here, pl...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 38 min
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 LINKS: Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/3RQYy0j4fT4 Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/post...
Jun 23, 2025•56 min
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 lot of adventure, war, and destruction is about to be unleashed. Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkien...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 Gondolin. “Of Maeglin” is one of the book’s first chapters that really works well as a tale unto it...
Jun 02, 2025•53 min
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! OTHER LINKS: Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/Pr4lj4orwAk Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.c...
May 26, 2025•43 min
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.com/posts/66825891/ Buy Tolkien Road merch @ True Myths Press Become a supporter of this podcast: ht...
May 19, 2025•40 min
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-episode Silmarillion series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022. While you're listening, check out S...
May 12, 2025•53 min
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 and I recorded back in 2022. While you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual...
May 05, 2025•44 min
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 Blessed Realm, as well as the hiding of Valinor from the peoples of Beleriand and all other lands. Over...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr
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 brethren departed Beleriand for the Blessed Realm. Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to...
Apr 21, 2025•53 min
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 series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022. While you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for g...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 22 min
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. While you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. To support our work ...
Apr 07, 2025•53 min
Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 7 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor. In Chapter 7, we learn what the Silmarils are, where they came from, and how clouds begin to gather over the blessed realm of Valinor. 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. While you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. To support o...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 6 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor. Chapter 6 is really the quiet calm before the storm. All hell is about to break loose. Yet first, we must become acquainted with the great Fëanor, one of the most significant characters in the whole Middle-earth legedarium, and also understand how Melkor escapes bondage and comes once again to freedom. Over the next several months, we'll be continuing to revisit the entire 30-e...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 5 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië. In Chapter 5, we come to find out how the three Elvish peoples (the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri) came to Aman, the Blessed Realm. We also learn a great deal more about the Noldor and the Teleri, and about the personalities of these groups of Elves. The princes of the Noldor, in particular, start to come into focus as key players near the end of the chapter. Over the n...
Mar 17, 2025•55 min
Hey there, fellow travelers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 4 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Thingol and Melian! 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. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. Chapter 4 of The Silmarillion is a short and succinct “boy-meets-girl” story, or so a surface reading would suggest. However, as with most...
Mar 10, 2025•50 min
Hey there, fellow travelers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 3 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of The Awakening of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor! 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. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. In Chapter 3, we finally embark upon something like a continuous narrative. Up to this point, much has...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Hey there, fellow travellers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 2 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Aulë and Yavanna! 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. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. In Chapter 2, we're introduced to the contentious relationship of Aulë, the father of the Dwarves, and Yavanna, the mother of the Ents. To ...
Feb 24, 2025•50 min
Hey there, fellow travellers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 1 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Beginning of Days, part 2! Yes, Chapter 1 had so much to discuss that we had to break it into two parts, so you're getting the second half right now! 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. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. Hav...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Hey there, fellow travellers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 1 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Beginning of Days. Just to be clear, "Quenta Silmarillion" means "The History of the Silmarils". While Tolkien intended "Ainulindalë" and "Valaquenta" to be essentially standalone works, Quenta Silmarillion encompasses the next 24 chapters. Over the next several months, we'll be revisiting the entire 30-episode Silmarillion series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022. And while ...
Feb 10, 2025•48 min
Hey there, fellow travellers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Valaquenta - The Story of the Valar! Over the next several months, we'll be revisiting the entire 30-episode Silmarillion series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. As mentioned, this episode is an overview of Valaquenta - The Story of the Valar - which introduces us to many of the great powers, or gods, that govern Middle-earth. In...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Hey there, fellow travellers! Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Ainulindalë - The Music of the Ainur - which, simply put, is the Middle-earth creation story. Over the next several months, we'll be revisiting the 30-episode series that Greta and I recorded back in 2022. And while you're listening, check out SilmGuide.com for guides to individual chapters. This episode is an overview of Ainulindalë - The Music of the Ainur - which is the creation story of Middle-earth. To support our wo...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min
