What exactly is the power of a Ring of Power? How did Sauron rise from a second-in-command for the Great Enemy to becoming the dominant Shadow, the formidable Lord of the Rings? Today we wander, for the fourth time, into Tolkien’s letter to Milton Waldman.

From the Archives!

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Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

In Tolkien's rich tapestry of storytelling, the First Age unfolds with tales of valor and tragedy, while the very essence of light is both a scientific and imaginative marvel. Join us in uncovering the divine creation of Middle-earth and how the seemingly unknown and weak, like hobbits, have their own part to play in turning the wheels of destiny. Today we dive deeper into Tolkien’s letter to Milton Waldman.

From the Archives!

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Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/

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Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Without Bilbo, there would be no J.R.R. Tolkien. Without "The Hobbit," there would be no "Lord of the Rings" or "Silmarillion." Bilbo's tale, as Tolkien himself insists, is the linchpin, the essential connecting link, of his entire legendarium.

Today, we embark on a journey to unravel how "The Hobbit" stands at the heart of Tolkien's myth as we delve further into the mysteries of the Waldman Letter. Along the way, we'll explore Tolkien's disdain for allegory and dissect the profound meaning he gives the word “Magic”. Oh Hedwig, we’re not in Hogwarts any more!

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Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/

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Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Where did it all begin? Middle-earth, the languages, the books, the stories, the legends . . . Why did JRR Tolkien imagine Middle-earth? What does it all mean? What is the meaning of life?

Today we explore these questions of the soul as we journey through the Waldman Letter, penned by JRR Tolkien. Okay, to confess, we may not get to the meaning of life . . . but who knows? We’re wandering Middle-earth, and if we don’t keep our feet, there’s no knowing where we’ll be swept of too, as uncle Bilbo used to say!

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Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/

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• Support Lore of the Rings with a donation

Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Discover five essential books that reshaped how I see J.R.R. Tolkien, his stories, and the world of Middle-earth. From rare insights into Tolkien’s imagination to indispensable resources like The Atlas of Middle-earth and the newly expanded Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, these titles reveal hidden depths of the legendarium. Whether you're a first-time reader of The Lord of the Rings or a longtime fan seeking to expand your Tolkien bookshelf, these books offer fresh perspectives, fascinating backstories, and little-known mysteries of Middle-earth. Includes reflections on Tolkien’s medievalist influences, Carl Jung connections, unpublished manuscripts, and the guiding light behind this podcast.

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Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/

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• Support Lore of the Rings with a donation

Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Is The Lord of the Rings one book, three books, or six? And why do we call it a trilogy when Tolkien himself insisted it wasn’t? Dive into the behind-the-scenes story of how The Lord of the Rings was published, exploring the quirky history of its titles, structure, and unexpected publishing hurdles. From paper shortages and pricing dilemmas to alternate book titles like The War of the Ring and The Return of the Shadow, you’ll get the inside scoop on the decisions that shaped Tolkien’s epic saga.

Whether you're a lifelong Tolkien fan or just discovering Middle-earth, this is the LOTR book bonus content you never knew you needed. We’ll unpack letters from Tolkien to his publishers, explore the reasons why the story was split into three volumes, and reveal the six-book structure hidden inside the pages.

Perfect for fans of The Lord of the Rings books, Tolkien trivia lovers, and anyone curious about the literary history of Middle-earth. Grab your pipe-weed and join us for a journey behind the book.

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1. Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
2. Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

• Sponsor rates, details, and inquires here
• Support Lore of the Rings with a donation

Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Nine ancient wraiths close in on a single hobbit at the Ford of Bruinen — and Tolkien weaves one of The Lord of the Rings' most powerful moments of defiance, courage, and friendship. This episode explores the final scene of "Flight to the Ford", where Frodo faces the Nazgûl as he teeters on the edge of fading into the wraith-world. Discover how Tolkien reveals the isolating nature of evil, the symbolism of tunnels and thresholds, and the enduring power of ancient names like Elbereth and Lúthien. A deep dive into bravery, memory, and the small acts that hold back the Shadow in Middle-earth.

Part 4 of 4 exploring "Flight to the Ford" from JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring.

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Download my free chapter guide for "Flight to the Ford": ringspodcast.com/flight

1. Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
2. Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

• Sponsor rates, details, and inquires here
• Support Lore of the Rings with a donation

Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.

Frodo’s journey through the wilds takes a dramatic turn as the wounded hobbit nears the Ford of Bruinen. This episode explores three pivotal moments from the chapter Flight to the Ford in The Fellowship of the Ring. First, Sam Gamgee reveals his hidden depth through an imaginative troll-song, echoing Tolkien’s ideas on fairy stories and the role of poetry in Middle-earth. Then, the hobbits encounter the buried remnants of Bilbo’s earlier adventure, signaling the final narrative departure between Bilbo and Frodo. Finally, the mysterious rider Glorfindel arrives—not Arwen, as seen in the films, but a radiant elf-lord with deep roots in the First Age. With insights into Elvish reincarnation, the symbolism of bells and light, and the layered history behind Glorfindel’s return, this episode highlights Tolkien’s brilliance in mythmaking and the layered reality of his world.

Part 3 of 4 exploring "Flight to the Ford" from JRR Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring.

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Please tell me a little about you: ringspodcast.com/survey

Download my free chapter guide for "Flight to the Ford": ringspodcast.com/flight

1. Exclusive discount for Lore of the Rings Listeners: 25% off your entire order at Manly Bands. Details at https://www.ringspodcast.com/p/rings/
2. Download my FREE guide for reading Tolkien's Silmarillion: https://ringspodcast.kit.com/a982347493

• Sponsor rates, details, and inquires here
• Support Lore of the Rings with a donation

Contact the show, donate, and find past episodes: ringspodcast.com

Embark on an immersive journey through the captivating realms of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, where the epic sagas of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales, and more come to life. Join us as we delve into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's masterful storytelling, drawing intriguing comparisons between his literary works and the cinematic adaptations crafted by Peter Jackson. Be at the forefront of the latest developments as we explore the highly anticipated Rings of Power series from Amazon. Prepare to be enthralled as we uncover hidden connections, untold tales, and delve into the depths of Middle-earth lore. Tune in now and become part of our fellowship on this extraordinary journey!

This podcast is not affiliated with the Tolkien Estate.