Why We Love Middle-earth
An Enthusiast's Book About Tolkien, Middle-earth, and the LotR Fandom
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Narrated by:
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Alan Sisto
About this listen
Learn about the man who wrote The Lord of the Rings in this Middle-earth treasury. Full of answers to common questions about Middle-earth and the fandom, this book about Tolkien celebrates Why We Love Middle-earth.
The Lord of the Rings omnibus for all. Who wrote The Lord of the Rings? What details are in the movies, books, maps, and other stories—and how do they tie together? Intrigued by Amazon's new show The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? What's considered canon and what isn't? Dive into Middle-earth's expansive lore with Why We Love Middle-earth, a fandom book about Tolkien's work.
The perfect companion for any Middle-earth traveler. Written by beloved Tolkien commenters of the Prancing Pony Podcast, Shawn E. Marchese and Alan Sisto, Why We Love Middle-earth is the ultimate guide to the fandom.
Inside, find:
- An easy-to-digest guide map that deepens your knowledge from start to finish, or from any interest point
- A brief history of each of the major books and adaptations of Middle-earth, how to read, watch, or play them, and deepen your understanding of them
- A manual for fandom niches—what they are, where to find them, and how to get started
©2023 Shawn E. Marchese and Alan Sisto (P)2023 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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The Inklings and the Creative Process Opened Up
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In 1992, the deadliest year in Chicago’s history, seven-year-old Dantrell Davis was shot and killed in front of his elementary school inside the public housing complex Cabrini-Green. What happened to Dantrell led to a truce among Chicago’s gangs, but it also ignited a national panic about poverty and violence in America’s cities. Dantrell’s name would soon be used to demolish all of Chicago’s high-rise public housing, displacing tens of thousands of low-income families.
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Chicago Housibg
- By Ruby on 11-21-24
By: Ben Austen, and others
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MOVE: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy
- By: Curtis Bryant, Kevin Arbouet
- Narrated by: Tariq Trotter
- Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins
- Original Recording
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This searing audio documentary brings listeners deep inside the unforgettable story of MOVE, gaining unprecedented access to surviving MOVE members, elected officials from the era, eyewitnesses, and historians to create an indelible portrait of an American tragedy.
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Balanced Examination of History
- By James Peacock on 08-14-24
By: Curtis Bryant, and others
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- As Told to Alex Haley
- By: Malcolm X, Alex Haley
- Narrated by: Laurence Fishburne
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Experience a bold take on this classic autobiography as it’s performed by Oscar-nominated Laurence Fishburne. In this searing classic autobiography, originally published in 1965, Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and Black empowerment activist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Human Rights movement. His fascinating perspective on the lies and limitations of the American dream and the inherent racism in a society that denies its non-White citizens the opportunity to dream, gives extraordinary insight into the most urgent issues of our own time.
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it's Nearly perfect
- By Kerry on 09-16-20
By: Malcolm X, and others
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Caffeine
- How Caffeine Created the Modern World
- By: Michael Pollan
- Narrated by: Michael Pollan
- Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
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Michael Pollan, known for his best-selling nonfiction audio, including The Omnivores Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, conceived and wrote Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World as an Audible Original. In this controversial and exciting listen, Pollan explores caffeine’s power as the most-used drug in the world - and the only one we give to children (in soda pop) as a treat.
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Leaves much to be desired
- By Melody H on 02-02-20
By: Michael Pollan
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Mythology: Mega Collection
- Classic Stories from the Greek, Celtic, Norse, Japanese, Hindu, Chinese, Mesopotamian and Egyptian Mythology
- By: Scott Lewis
- Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser, Oliver Hunt
- Length: 31 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection of eight audiobooks is for you....
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An interesting set of introductions.
- By Kevin Potter on 05-30-19
By: Scott Lewis
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I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t)
- Telling the Truth about Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power
- By: Brené Brown
- Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Based on seven years of ground-breaking research and hundreds of interviews, I Thought It Was Just Me shines a long-overdue light on an important truth: Our imperfections are what connect us to each other and to our humanity. Our vulnerabilities are not weaknesses; they are powerful reminders to keep our hearts and minds open to the reality that we're all in this together.
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I'm sure its great if you are a mother ....
- By Leslie A Hill on 08-09-11
By: Brené Brown
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The Strange Death of Europe
- Immigration, Identity, Islam
- By: Douglas Murray
- Narrated by: Robert Davies
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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The Strange Death of Europe is a highly personal account of a continent and culture caught in the act of suicide. Declining birth rates, mass immigration, and cultivated self-distrust and self-hatred have come together to make Europeans unable to argue for themselves and incapable of resisting their own comprehensive alteration as a society and an eventual end.
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Fear-mongering
- By Kat Cat on 01-22-19
By: Douglas Murray
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Anything You Can Imagine
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- By: Ian Nathan, Andy Serkis - foreword
- Narrated by: Tristram Wymark
- Length: 22 hrs and 3 mins
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The definitive history of Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth saga, Anything You Can Imagine takes us on a cinematic journey across all six films, featuring brand-new interviews with Peter, his cast and his crew. From the early days of daring to dream it could be done, through the highs and lows of making the films, to fan adoration and, finally, Oscar glory.
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Tales from the Perilous Realm
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
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Enjoyable Tolkien short stories
- By Linda Luella on 03-28-17
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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A Full Life
- Reflections at Ninety
- By: Jimmy Carter
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carter
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Jimmy Carter, 39th president, Nobel Peace Prize winner, international humanitarian, fisherman, reflects on his full and happy life with pride, humor, and a few second thoughts.
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Loved it
- By Scott Volltrauer on 08-19-16
By: Jimmy Carter
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A Hobbit Journey
- Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth
- By: Matthew Dickerson
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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The Lord of the Rings trilogy has delighted millions of fans worldwide in book and movie form. With the theatrical release of the two-part film The Hobbit slated for 2012 and 2013, attention will once again turn to J. R. R. Tolkien's classic works. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as old-fashioned, we welcome the chance to view the world through hobbit eyes: we have free will, our choices matter, and living a morally heroic life is possible....
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Tediously going over his points again & again
- By Alan Rither on 12-19-12
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Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'
- By: Corey Olsen
- Narrated by: Corey Olsen
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
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The Hobbit is one of the most widely read and best-loved books of the 20th century. Now Professor Corey Olsen takes listeners deep within the text to uncover its secrets and delights. Chapter by chapter, he reveals the stories within the story: the dark desires of dwarves and the sublime laughter of elves, the nature of evil and its hopelessness, the mystery of divine providence and human choice, and, most of all, the transformation within the life of Bilbo Baggins.
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Appreciation, Not Dissection
- By Troy on 05-09-15
By: Corey Olsen
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Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
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Great, but read all the reviews.
- By Ross on 07-09-21
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
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Anything You Can Imagine
- Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth
- By: Ian Nathan, Andy Serkis - foreword
- Narrated by: Tristram Wymark
- Length: 22 hrs and 3 mins
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The definitive history of Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth saga, Anything You Can Imagine takes us on a cinematic journey across all six films, featuring brand-new interviews with Peter, his cast and his crew. From the early days of daring to dream it could be done, through the highs and lows of making the films, to fan adoration and, finally, Oscar glory.
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A journey to Middle Earth and Back Again
- By John Bridges on 01-27-19
By: Ian Nathan, and others
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Tales from the Perilous Realm
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- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Combined into one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien's five acclaimed modern classic 'fairie' tales in the vein of The Hobbit, read by Derek Jacobi. The five tales are written with the same skill, quality and charm that made The Hobbit a classic. Largely overlooked because of their short lengths, they are joined here in one volume which reaffirms Tolkien's place as a master storyteller for listeners young and old.
-
-
Enjoyable Tolkien short stories
- By Linda Luella on 03-28-17
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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A Full Life
- Reflections at Ninety
- By: Jimmy Carter
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carter
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
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Jimmy Carter, 39th president, Nobel Peace Prize winner, international humanitarian, fisherman, reflects on his full and happy life with pride, humor, and a few second thoughts.
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Loved it
- By Scott Volltrauer on 08-19-16
By: Jimmy Carter
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A Hobbit Journey
- Discovering the Enchantment of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth
- By: Matthew Dickerson
- Narrated by: Alan Sklar
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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The Lord of the Rings trilogy has delighted millions of fans worldwide in book and movie form. With the theatrical release of the two-part film The Hobbit slated for 2012 and 2013, attention will once again turn to J. R. R. Tolkien's classic works. In a culture where truth is relative and morality is viewed as old-fashioned, we welcome the chance to view the world through hobbit eyes: we have free will, our choices matter, and living a morally heroic life is possible....
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Tediously going over his points again & again
- By Alan Rither on 12-19-12
-
Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'
- By: Corey Olsen
- Narrated by: Corey Olsen
- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Hobbit is one of the most widely read and best-loved books of the 20th century. Now Professor Corey Olsen takes listeners deep within the text to uncover its secrets and delights. Chapter by chapter, he reveals the stories within the story: the dark desires of dwarves and the sublime laughter of elves, the nature of evil and its hopelessness, the mystery of divine providence and human choice, and, most of all, the transformation within the life of Bilbo Baggins.
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-
Appreciation, Not Dissection
- By Troy on 05-09-15
By: Corey Olsen
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Unfinished Tales
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Timothy West, Samuel West
- Length: 21 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Unfinished Tales is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring and provides those who have read The Lord of the Rings with a whole collection of background and new stories from the 20th century’s most acclaimed popular author.
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Great, but read all the reviews.
- By Ross on 07-09-21
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
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The Fall of Númenor
- And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-Earth
- By: J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Sibley - editor
- Narrated by: Samuel West, Brian Sibley
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
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J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a ‘dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told’. And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron.
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A dry compilation of old material, minus images
- By SC on 11-12-22
By: J.R.R. Tolkien, and others
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Tolkien and the Great War
- The Threshold of Middle-earth
- By: John Garth
- Narrated by: John Garth
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Tolkien and the Great War tells for the first time the full story of how he embarked on the creation of Middle-earth in his youth as the world around him was plunged into catastrophe. This biography reveals the horror and heroism that he experienced as a signals officer in the Battle of the Somme and introduces the circle of friends who spurred his mythology to life.
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Excellent Text Frustratingly Recorded
- By Timothy Ortopan on 05-09-18
By: John Garth
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The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien
- Revised and Expanded edition
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter - editor, Christopher Tolkien - editor
- Narrated by: Samuel West, Mike Grady, Chris Smith
- Length: 29 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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The comprehensive collection of letters spanning the adult life of one of the world’s greatest storytellers, now revised and expanded to include more than 150 previously unseen letters, with revealing new insights into The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
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For Tolkien fans who can't get enough (Like me)!
- By Ross on 02-29-24
By: J. R. R. Tolkien, and others
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The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Sir Derek Jacobi
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is a collection of poetry written by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first published in 1962. The audio is read by Sir Derek Jacobi and is a collection of 16 poems that contain an assortment of bestiary verse and fairy tale rhyme. It is a stunning recording that captures all the characters in their own charming and mysterious ways.
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Almost disappointing
- By Christopher on 11-19-19
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Hobbit (Dramatised)
- The Classic BBC Radio Production
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Heron Carvic, Paul Daneman, Anthony Jackson, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins
- Original Recording
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The radio dramatisation of The Hobbit became a classic when it was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1968 and it continues to delight today. Tolkien's famous saga, the prelude to the Lord of the Rings, has all the ingredients of fantasy and adventure: dwarves, elves, goblins and trolls, a fearsome dragon, a great wizard, a perilous quest, and a dramatic climax.
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Takes a little getting used to
- By Jan Childress on 11-17-08
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
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The Children of Hurin
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Christopher Lee
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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There are tales of Middle-earth from times long before The Lord of the Rings. The story told in this book is set in the great country that lay beyond the Grey Havens in the West: lands where Treebeard once walked, but which were drowned in the great cataclysm that ended the First Age of the World.
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Powerful and Disturbing
- By Catherine Dalzell on 12-19-09
By: J. R. R. Tolkien
What listeners say about Why We Love Middle-earth
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kelaeriel
- 10-24-24
Excellent resource for Tolkien fans
This book does an excellent job of summarizing the books written by Tolkien himself, as well as books about Tolkien by other scholars. It also has information about the many sub categories of the fandom, online resources, and ways to get involved as a fan.
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- amie
- 06-09-24
Obvious that the authors speak from the heart when talking about Tolkien!
I loved this book! Alan and Shawn are so great at being positive spokespeople for the Tolkien fandom, and they really put their hearts into this book. They walk the reader through JRRT’s works in a lighthearted, conversational tone when appropriate, yet they know when the Professor yanks on the heartstrings, and are open and honest about the myriad of emotions provoked by these works.
Their podcast is the primary reason I was able to FINALLY get through the Silmarillion, after a 30+ year love of The Hobbit and LOTR. They do such an amazing job of breaking down and explaining the story, Tolkien’s inspirations, and background details.
This book is a love letter to the Professor and the world of fandom that is still captivated by his stories decades and decades after he wrote them. BUY THIS BOOK!!
Also, Alan’s narration is awesome!! Bummer that it couldn’t work out to have both of them reading, but Alan does a great job covering both of their parts!!
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2 people found this helpful