299 – Not a Trace of Hope in My Mind

Gimli says he’s near the end of their tale; Alan and Shaun aren’t convinced. Join us as we discuss how hard it is to look at your watch when you’re in battle, as we complete The Last Monolog… er, Debate. The Lords of the West conclude they have only a choice of evils; long-term weather forecasting isn’t a thing in Middle-earth; and counting to 7,000 seems pointless. Shaun explains how palantíri are like social media algorithms, while The Lord of the Mark returns to explain why the guy in the van is smoking a cigarette and eating cheese. Finally, not all unsheathed swords are a euphemism.

The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Silmarillion
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Letter of J.R.R. Tolkien
Carpenter, Humphrey ed. (William Morrow, paperback)

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth 
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Nature of Middle-earth
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Carl F Hostetter, ed.) (William Morrow, hardcover)

OUR OWN BOOK: Why We Love Middle-earth (pre-orders available now on this link)
Sisto, Alan & Marchese, Shawn (Mango, paperback)

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