J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of Worlds

[@Truthseeker1515]

Nothing but absolute respect for JRR Tolkien.....he did not chase money, he was an inventor, he was a creator of worlds....

[@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95]

@@VHSmonarchy what the hell are you on about?

[@Pikachu2Ash]

@@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95 It true though he wasn't happy with money.

[@holydutchlord3477]

He was the opposite of J. Robert Oppenheimer

[@waylandwarner7727]

@@holydutchlord3477 Oppenheimer was different, he never realised his creations would cause destruction like that. Which scarred him for life.

[@holydutchlord3477]

@@waylandwarner7727 I mean it was sort of a joke

[@Julia-jd8ie]

"Some random dude and the gorgeous immortal demigoddess elf princess who for some reason falls in love with him" is the absolute best way to write yourself and your wife into your book.

[@SirBlackReeds]

That wasn't the line though.

[@electricvisual92]

Stop blowing this tool...he's not even that good a writer he's just a loser

[@mezcashis]

@@electricvisual92 Bruh you probably read at a 6th grade level, go back to your Percy Jackson books. The adults are talking.

[@electricvisual92]

@@mezcashis you're a real "adult" w/ your Neil and a unicorn pic 😂🤣💀💀

[@mezcashis]

@@electricvisual92 Ahh, an acknowledgement that your reading skills are non-existent by changing the subject. I see.

[@Artur_M.]

One interesting tidbit of Tolkien's biography I love accrued shortly before WWII, when a German publisher contacted him, expressing interest in publishing a German edition of the Hobbit, but asking Tolkien to prove his "Aryan" descent. Tolkien's response was simply glorious: "I regret that I am not clear as to what you intend by arisch. I am not of Aryan extraction: that is Indo-Iranian; as far as I am aware none of my ancestors spoke Hindustani, Persian, Gypsy, or any related dialects. But if I am to understand that you are enquiring whether I am of Jewish origin, I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people." In further part of his letter writhing that: " if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature, then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride". Possibly the classiest burn of Nazi twats ever.

[@christineparis5607]

Artur M. I have never read that, and it was perfect!! Thank you for that wonderful anecdote!!

[@maiavanwaes7590]

My role model

[@finismalorum9746]

You are also forgetting that Tolkien was extremely Nationalistic and a devote Monarchist.

[@PunchySOB]

Doedsjarl and what does that have to do with anything

[@finismalorum9746]

It has to do with the fact that you people are trying to make him look like a hippie liberal and your saviour from the Nazi’s. When in actuality he probably would have detested everything about today’s society. Especially the progressives and liberals. He was very much for traditionalism and not progressivism.

[@Kurtlane]

Tolkien made a trip to Switzerland in 1911. It was short, but it made a strong impression. He fell in love with mountains, one can see it in the Hobbit and in LOTR.

[@alexisdesjardins8996]

The Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland was most likely the inspiration for Rivendell.

[@catinthehat906]

Here's my theory for the inspiration for Bag End. We know Tolkien grew up in rural Sarehole with a local mill, a village that was gradually destroyed by the industrialisation of Birmingham that he hated. Tolkien when he lived in Oxford used to go on recreational walking trips and we know that these influenced LOTR particularly the Ridgeway and Waylands Smithy was the likely inspiration for the Barrow downs. Some years ago I was walking in a place just west of Oxford in the Cotswolds, I cam across a very small village in a valley, (population less than 300), not a touristy place, it has the remnants of a small water mill (Trinity Mill) not unlike Sarehole. It also has an iron age fort and an ancient trackway just on the edge of the village. What was the name of this tiny place you might ask? Bagendon.

[@dabtican4953]

@@VHSmonarchy what did you mean by this

[@Son-of-the-Mother-Aya]

The Lord of the Rings series of book saw me through some of the darkest times in my life. Sometimes all that kept me going was the line "courage is often found in unlikely places."

[@librasgirl08]

I got to know his great grandson Royd Tolkien a bit. He is a great guy, who was in the films on the request of Peter Jackson. Over the last year, he did something great, his brother Mike, who suffered from a ALS, had a bucket list, he couldn't complete himself, he passed away in 2015. So Royd completed the bucket list for him. To finance that, he was at comic cons. His brother had asked him, to begin the journey dressed as Gandalf, he did it. It was the original costume from Sir Ian McKellen Peter Jackson send to him to support the project. He's trying to help and supports research on MND like ALS using his name. In a way, I think, J.R.R. Tolkien would have supported that.

[@kevinmorrice]

the tolkien name is one of pride and honour

[@davidricci9894]

Did the family keep the Catholic faith?

[@puyearprod.929]

Was it an ALS Ice Bucket list? 😃

[@bungersinyourarea]

@@davidricci9894 what bearing does that have on helping people, someone's faith has no effect on this matter

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

He (Royd) was the manager of a band I was in called 'Baby Milk Plant', his brother Michael was a beautiful soul, full of passion and a fabulous skateboarder. A great loss to those that knew him and those that were yet to. ❤

[@weltervids]

In high school I had a teacher that tried to make the class examine examples of allegory in "The Hobbit." It was from that point on I knew the teacher had no idea what she was teaching. I turned in a piece of paper with with Tolkien's infamous quote, "I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history - true or feigned- with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse applicability with allegory, but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author." I did not receive the A I deserved. Because I didn't properly cite my quote.

[@buckacre1348]

Neat story. Thanks.

[@kevinmorrice]

@@VHSmonarchy you must have failed because the ACTUAL quote is "lol ur mom gay dab FAM fucking gottem''

[@theministerialnerd2185]

Please read to end Mr. Rag Tag Review. Its kinda funny how he hated Allegory but the definition of that said word is a story or poem that has a hidden meaning typically moral or political. Lewis with his "Proposals" and Tolkien with his applicability. The influences, hidden truths in fiction, and symbolism they both said. While both disliking that word named allegory. They wanted to stay away from the word allegory for some weird reason. Possibly a negative connotation of some sort in the time period. Maybe they humbly didn't want readers to abandon Christianity in order to follow their works. Or like your quote said he much preferred real untouched history or completely unreal. However... Think about it. When the word's synonyms are analogy, symbol, and metaphor you cannot possibly deny that these things are not in his books. Admitting to them quite frequently actually. Although these words are not not quite the same its kinda hard for Tolkien to deny allegoric writing. For example isn't Luthien and Beren a possible allegory of he and his wife's relationship. Enough for it to be on his tombstone I heard? You could argue it was a metaphor or analogy but its kinda a straw man argument seeing how STORY is in the definition of Allegory. The same could be said about Aragon and Arwen whose relationship represents Christ's with his Bride (The Church). He didn't just draw from experiences and various mythologies including his faith. But he had deep symbolism and things that are on the borderline between analogy or metaphor versus allegory. Such a very very thin line. It is more than possible but likely that Tolkien did have allegory but denied it or detested he had to use it. How else could he say things such as "Of course God is in Lord of the Rings" or “The greater part of the truth is always hidden, in regions out of the reach of cynicism.”, and after all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of 'truth'.” Let me end with two more quotes. The last which quickly dispels your quote. 1. “Actually I am a Christian, and indeed a Roman Catholic, so that I do not expect 'history' to be anything but a 'long defeat' - though it contains (and in a legend may contain more clearly and movingly) some samples or glimpses of final victory. (Letter #195)” 2. “I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language. (And, of course, the more ‘life’ a story has the more readily will it be susceptible of allegorical interpretations: while the better a deliberate allegory is made the more nearly will it be acceptable just as a story.)” So please do not be harsh on the teacher or so arrogant to assume you deserve an A. You deserved a B. Actually, a B- for being disrespectful to your teacher.

[@robdon3472]

You probably didn't get an A cause it was a bad answer

[@Nyctophora]

Nicely done, though.

[@edwardtaub1988]

After reading books consistently during my 66 years of life, The Lord of the Rings remains my all-time favorite. Thank you for the excellent biography of this wonderful author.

[@liamo7759]

Just read your post about lord of the rings I remember the first time I started reading it a lovely summer's day in 1979 what a superb book it is enjoyed reading your post hope your well

[@garrick3727]

Every time I read it I notice something different. I read it to my wife before we were married. I read it to my children. Now I need a big print version because my copy is from 1965 and it's the smallest typeface I've seen in a novel.

[@edwardtaub1988]

@@liamo7759 Thank you for your comment. People who love to read remember when they read a book, where they read it, and why they read it.

[@edwardtaub1988]

@@garrick3727 I can't imagine how thick a big-print version would be!

[@garrick3727]

@@edwardtaub1988 Good point. My tiny print volume is almost 4 inches thick, but that is partly because they made the pages paperback size.

[@midnite_rambler]

Tolkien was the single biggest influence on me as far as people go. I read LOTR when I was in 5th grade at primary school after the school librarian got it in for me to read. (I was a prodigious reader and she thought the book so big it would take me months to read it.) I was forever grateful as it awakened in me a love of myth, ancient history, fantasy, and etymology. Those loves have guided my life ever since. Though circumstance has not given me a chance to do much with any of it, sadly.

[@silafuyang8675]

I stole "Bilbo Baggins" from a bookstore when I was 6 cause I did not have the money to buy it. That book and Dumas' "Three Musketeers" had a big influence on me.

[@jacksondude322]

midniterambler01 don’t give up on your dreams due to circumstances, remember it rains on us all

@@silafuyang8675 why didn't you lend the book from a library you hooligan.

[@MCernoble]

me hee because he was 6 lmao

[@DoloresJNurss]

You might do more with it than you realize. I believe that the purpose of such tales, and the reason why they crop up in all cultures around the world, is that they provide a safe way to train people in courage. Think of your life. How many times have you been brave, in big and little things, because you had heroes in history, myth, and fantasy to inspire you?

[@squamish4244]

"I never called Edith Luthien - but she was the source of the story that in time became the chief part of the Silmarillion. It was first conceived in a small woodland glade filled with hemlocks at Roos in Yorkshire (where I was for a brief time in command of an outpost of the Humber Garrison in 1917, and she was able to live with me for a while). In those days her hair was raven, her skin clear, her eyes brighter than you have seen them, and she could sing - and dance. But the story has gone crooked, & I am left, and _I_ cannot plead before the inexorable Mandos." (Mandos is the god of the underworld in Tolkien's mythos, whom Luthien pleads with to bring Beren back from the dead.)

[@PREPFORIT]

A Great Man A Great Genius An amazing Author.

[@chedarmentosbrown5922]

PREPFORIT yup Simon and team is all that and a bag of chips. 🐙⚡💥

[@Bramme1991]

A boring author. he really fails to write excitingly

[@simonrgard5769]

Brampiescampie Lol? Have u read the book...

[@Bramme1991]

yes i did. and Tolkien bored me, he's a slow passed boring writer

[@Bramme1991]

The biggest boring part was the entire Tom Bombadil part, where the story just grinds to a halt for several pages, ver very glad Jackson didn't even wanna put it in the movies

[@Pegas105]

The irony of Tolkien's work is that he wrote it as the antithesis of commercial fiction as he saw no real commercial prospects since he was purely writing for himself. But he was able to recognize the law of unintended consequences when Lord of Rings was really gaining popularity in the 60s and how people were taking it to an extreme. Yet his work has become a real cashcow.

[@DoloresJNurss]

That's often the way of it, isn't it? And there was actually a study done, where they took three groups of writers. One group they showed a list of extrinsic reasons to write (make money, become famous, impress dates, etc.) one group they showed intrinsic reasons to write (creative expression, love of words, something important to say, etc.) and the final group read a laundry list. Then they had them write poems. Then they switched who read what lists and did it again. And a third time. And had literary critics rate the poems produced, without knowing who wrote what when. The result was that those who read the extrinsic list dropped immediately in talent! The ones who red the intrinsic list increased in talent. The laundry-list readers didn't change either way.

[@Moonbeam143]

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

[@TheJoker-fp2lk]

@Jeffro 2000 go mgtow

[@carloscastanheiro2933]

It's actually "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg grimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk, ag burzum ishi krimpatul" . It's in "Shadow of War".

[@austencobine864]

@cak01vej Thrakatuluk

[@waylandwarner7727]

Isn't it weird how Tolkien died in 1973 after creating that poem. 3 for the elves, 7 for the dwarves, 9 for men, and 1 to rule them all. There's a pattern here.

[@subhasishghosh6924]

@@waylandwarner7727 poetic

[@Barry63]

I didn't even know that J.R.R. Tolkien attended the school I'm attending right now!

[@stefanavic6630]

Attending. Now that's a real education right there. We plebs just say "go to".

[@mohamedabd8285]

u want to study medicine/health right?

[@defaultyorker6096]

If Tolkien had gone to the school I'm at, they'd never shut up about it. I'm surprised a school could have Tolkien attend it and not shove that fact down the students' throats.

[@Anthonycoup]

taam nope he’s talking about kings Edwards not his university

[@lilyfae7197]

Formative years: 1:01 Lúthien and Beren (His wife) : 5:22 The Great War: 7:57 The Professor: 10:37 The Storyteller: 13:05 Accomplishments & Legacy: 18:07

[@dudeonthasopha]

I don't have time to explain why, but his work on constructed languages is absolutely incredible.

[@grimble4564]

I think the fact that just one person could generate languages of the depth he accomplished is really impressive. Anyone who tries it themselves figures out pretty quickly that its going to take a lifetime of constant dedication.

[@Woopor]

Yeah the sillmarillion needs like 20 pages of elvish root words alone

[@catharinepizzarello4784]

I loved Tolkien’s works as a child. I read the Hobbit and the Trilogy. He engaged my imagination and inspired me. Reading allows me to set my imagination free. I was happy to learn about his life. Thank you, Simon.

[@lindaaumiller174]

I thoroughly love your channel! keep teaching us

[@chuckles1357]

You are definitely wonderful, I will continue watching at least one video a night until i'm through virtually all of them! Thank you so much!

[@jamescoffey5903]

I went from comic books to literature one very long, very hot summer. The nearest almost bookshop was 30 miles away, and it sold more magazines, smoking goods, and candy than books. My father took me once every few weeks to get a new comic and some candy while he reused the adult fiction in the back. My father let me get a copy of "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "Dune" on the same day, instead of the comics and candy. I read both over the next week, causing my parents to worry if I were sick. The little shop didn't get a copy of "The Two Towers" for almost a year. I think that was the longest year of my life. A year later, my father brought home a copy of "The Return of the King" from a business trip. Since then, I've read "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings", and "The Silmarillion" every year or two. Many other books have been added my library over the years, and I finally had to switch to a Kindle from lack of places to keep them all. The first thing I bought for my new Kindle was a complete set of the works of Tolkien. I still have 3 traditional print versions, too, but you never know when they won't come back from a loan.

[@BlaqueValue]

What about though. Did you enjoy it?

[@eddieb7054]

James The Washington Post has a book review reviewer named Miichael Dirda. He has a number of short essays on growing up with books. Worth reading.

[@DoloresJNurss]

A great combination! LOTR informs the soul, and "Dune" informs the mind.

[@olerocker3470]

Good for you, James! BTW, have you seen the complete reading of the LOTR by a Brit (Rob Inglis. (CD - Unabridged, 46 CDs, 52 hrs)). Complete and exhaustive. He even does voicing for each character and sings all the songs, reads all the poetry. Incredible. Check it out if you like. I bought it about 10 years ago and put it on an Ipod. Thoroughly enjoyed it and still use it about every other year.

[@angrypossumsx1259]

One aspect of JRR Tolkien that you missed was his great love of history and mythology. Like HP Lovecraft he felt alienated from the modern industrial world which he quite rightly believed was destroying not only the natural world but human cultures, traditions, languages and mythologies. Both men said on numerous occasions that they wished they had been born in earlier centuries and lamented the concrete, steel, smoke and stench that was replacing field and forest. In Tolkien’s case this feeling would have been reinforced by the horrors he must’ve experienced in the trenches of the Somme. There is much speculation that Mordor is inspired and drawn from these despite his denials of this. One important and very deliberate goal which Tolkien set out to achieve was the creation of a uniquely British mythology. Having studied both Old Norse language and legend as well as Old and Middle English, he came to the conclusion that most if not all myths and legends of Britain had been imported by invaders from other cultures and that they should have their own uniquely English folk histories.

[@codswallop321]

He also saw with his own eyes the rural West Midlands being transformed into the Black Country - from a rural idyll to a dark land of fire, ash and smoke. I believe the former was represented by the Shire, the latter by Mordor (="Black Land" in Sindarin). (Great comment and sorry it's taken 4 years to reply!)

[@OldglenSea-cw4ps]

Tolkien. For me, the greatest fantasy writer ever.

[@insertname11]

Kriegskaiser Odin-Beowulf von Walhalla No.

[@gisellakarina4390]

@@VHSmonarchy not even close

[@drakebear1719]

@@VHSmonarchy not even close...If Martin were to see your comment, I'm pretty sure he would find it rather offensive.

[@midgetwthahacksaw]

@@VHSmonarchy You can't call someone The Greatest when he can't even finish his main plot line. The Lord of the Rings is a completed tale. So is The Hobbit. Those are the main stories of Tolkien's Legendarium and everything else is bonus material that isn't quite essential to the main story but adds to the experience. Tolkien died before finishing all that he wanted to complete but at least he finished the main story.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:05 - Chapter 1 - Formative years 5:25 - Chapter 2 - Luthien & beren 7:55 - Chapter 3 - The great war 10:40 - Chapter 4 - The professor 13:10 - Chapter 5 - The storyteller 18:10 - Chapter 6 - Accomplisments & legacy

[@ricoshae5235]

A happy childhood, a religious man, a true lover, a good soldier, a good father, a great author. In other words the perfect man.

[@fromtheday9461]

happy childhood is definitely a stretch

[@LegionnaireScout]

Feminists at the “perfect man” reference : REEEEEEEEEEEEE 😂

[@anatoldenevers237]

Rico Shae there is no such thing as a perfect man(or woman). We all have flaws. Tolkien was probably about as close as it got though

[@meat1703]

Every rose has its thorn

[@jacobmeadows2940]

Religious=perfect?.... Does this mean you think being non religious is a flaw?

[@erickluviano981]

This man has shaped my life, and the lives of millions of others, even when I grew up past his time. This man and his son, Christopher Tolkien are legends.

[@jobbutcher1793]

So he died in 1973...... ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL 9 rings to the men doomed to die 7 rings to the dwarf lords in their mountains and 3 rings to the elves which are no so easily corrupted

[@jacksonjamieson4094]

Holy....

[@user-oq4yk1xd7d]

Never realized before. You deserve a like.

[@samsum3738]

Coincidence ? ... I think not .

[@joshuapatrick682]

You just blew my mind...

[@jamellfoster6029]

Wow... Profound... I've read his books & I've seen the movies yet I wasn't aware he died 7 years prior to my birth...

[@lisamac1986]

My favourite author!! I read his books over and over again when I was younger.

[@hellotelephone1]

Reading the Hobbit for the first time and learning about Tolkin is simply incredible! What a life and extraordinary writer.

[@ChescoYT]

NOTES: He lost his mother as a young child and was an orphan. He was disturbed by industrialization that was sweeping the country including the mass coal production in exchange of ripping up the earth & trees, and inspiration to what was written about Isengard. He lost all his friends in WWI, and was sadden & depressed about it all his life. He wrote his first line of Middle Earth in the trenches of WWI on the back of a piece of paper to someone he wrote a letter to. He was asked to write a sequel of The Hobbit, he gave the publisher a 1800 page book called 'The Lord Of The Rings' and was angry that the publisher broke it up into 3 books as that wasn't really done before during this era of publishing. Nobody had the courage edit his work because he was the head professor of linguistics and literature in the most preposterous university in the world - Cambridge. His books are timeless as you can relate everything happening in modern times (known as allegory), and yet he claims he did not write the books with allegory related. He was angry when someone asked him why didnt the Eagles just fly Frodo to Mount Doom to destroy the ring saving so much time & destruction, in reply he angrily said, "The Eagles are NOT the taxicabs of Middle Earth!). NY hipsters in the 60's & 70's spraypainted 'Frodo Lives' on the walls of underground train-stations when the book began to cross-over into America in emotional response to Frodo sailing to the 'Undying Lands' with the Elves at the end of the book. He wrote the inspiration for his fictional characters Arwen Evenstar of his wife while alive, and later Lúthien Tinúviel after his wife passed away ahead of him, where he lived in sorrow for the rest of his life due to his loss of his life partner. His favorite book was 'Beowulf' and was the inspiration for Rohan. Tolkien was inpired and borrowed from many ancient tales of other countries accross Europe & Africa, much like George R.R. Martin did with creating his own world within the Game of Thrones series. Tolkien was also horrified from the events he exp. and heard of during his time in WWI, which reflects many elements in his writing. He wrote himself as Gandalf , who loved speaking in riddles and the idea of helping mother earth & society staying healthy void of corruption. There were actually 5 caretaker wizards (Gandalf the grey, Radagast the brown, two twins the blue who went east of middle earth and Sauroman the white - or many colors once he went corrupted crazy). Sauron is equal to the wizards, but is more powerful, once good later corrupted and made an evil general by a defected angel/god 'Morgoth' who was the most powreful of all angels/gods, who saw that the world should be created differently in his own vision (all things we perceive as evil). Morgoth also created Dragons and a legion of Balrogs to take over the world, but after a crazy adventure of waring, was eventually defeated by every being uniting agasint Morgoth which was the only way he could have his greater power over-matched. He is imprisoned for eternality, but Sauron was ordered to take over the world on his behalf in order to free his master 'Morgoth'.

[@Warlanda]

@Chesco why did no one thank you for the wealth of information you provided? let me have the honor of being the first; thank you!

[@harmonyvegan]

Wow thanks!

[@jaymeanderson5121]

Not all of that checks out.

[@robcampbell3235]

Most preposterous university...indeed.

[@jakeferreira1211]

That's mostly accurate. The Istari aren't exactly equals to Sauron. They might have been, but when they were sent as emissaries to Middle Earth, they were given the bodies of old men, and were subject to hunger, thirst, sleep, pain, and had their powers restricted to an extent. And Sauron, even when he was Mairon before his fall, was one of the strongest of the Maiar. He was the greatest servant of Aule, of whom Sarumon, then called Curumo, was also a servant of. Tolkien never put himself in the Middle Earth, and definitely not directly. He said that he was most alike to Faramir, but also that he was essentially a hobbit. I think Gandalf was much to great and powerful for him, in his mind at least. Sauron's goal wasn't necessarily to free Morgoth, and he wasn't ordered to take over the world following Morgoth's exile. Their goals were pretty different. Morgoth had the view that if he could create as he wished, he would destroy everything. Like a toddler who would rather break his favorite toy than to share it. Sauron wanted the world to be perfect. Or his version of perfection, at least. That's why he did the whole Rkngs of Power plot. He would have burned everything and rebuild it from the ashes, with himself at its center. The Blue Wizards weren't twins. Morgoth didn't create Balrongs. They're Maiar, same as Gandalf, Sarumon, and Sauron. People definitely tried to edit his work, especially early on. He very famously had issues with editors wanting to change his spelling of "Dwarves" to "Dwarfs", as well as the aforementioned fight with publishers about the length of Lord of the Rings, and the names of the three books, which he did not like. Especially the name of "The Return of the King", as he thought it spoiled the ending. This isn't a critique, but an addition to the point about the eagles. He stated on at least one occasion that the real reason the eagles did not fly the Ring to Mordor was because it would make for a terrible story. But from a lore perspective, flying massive eagles into Mordor is a terrible strategy. For one, you've just announced your arrival to Sauron, who could have easily sent the Nazgul with their fell beasts to go fight them, as well as orc archers to sit at them. Both of which could and would have been a problem. You could then argue that they could have flown them straight to Gondor, and they'd finish the journey on foot from there. And while that might have worked, there's still issues. It's the same reason Glorfindel didn't go with the Fellowship. He's too powerful and attracts too much attention. And the eagles are way more powerful than they're given credit for. They're servants of Manwe. It's worse than asking the President to fly you somewhere on Air Force One. Maybe it would work, and maybe he'd even allow it, but who in their right mind would ask that when there's another option available? And there's also the risk of putting the One Ring in the possession of a being as powerful as a great eagle. For the same reason they didn't let Gandalf take it. Maybe the intentions would be good, but the Ring's power of corruption is too strong to risk.

[@doomsayer7937]

When I was a young teen, I loved the Lord of the Ring books. They are awesome. Like this channel. It is awesome!!!

[@Music-lx1tf]

I bought the Two Towers in 1963. It was so good, I out it down and stopped reading, I asked my mother for an advance on my allowance so I could buy the other two books. I finished them in sequence. Since then I've read the three books dozens of times and am still filled with wonder every time.

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

"C.S. Lewis and I were just discussing how you and Jon Snow both know nothing!"

[@jurgenparkour9337]

🤣🤣

[@holydutchlord3477]

“You’re a Pirate, you even stole my R.R”

[@h.cheema7818]

@@holydutchlord3477 We all know the world is full of chance and anarchy, so yes its true to life for characters to die randomly

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

@@h.cheema7818 IT'S CALLED FANTASY YOU MYOPIC MANATEE!

[@SamvedIyer]

@@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs Correction: "But news flash! The genre's called fantasy! It's meant to be unrealistic, you myopic manatee!"

[@yagomi32]

one ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

[@devinsweeting4978]

Ash Nazg durbatulûk, Ash Nazg gimbatul, Ash Nazg thrakatulûk Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

[@bgt2848]

One author to rule them all. One author to inspire them. One author to bring them all and in his magic bind them.

[@LebanonStorm]

Tolkien is by far my favorite author of all time. Love his works. Love the love he had for his wife.

[@faithlovehonor]

Great choice for biography!

[@maiavanwaes7590]

JRRT changed my life

[@christineparis5607]

Maïa Van Waes In what way, if you don't mind telling me?

[@maiavanwaes7590]

christine paris I was 12 when I read LOTR for the first time, a year or two after that the first film came out and that story saw me grew up. I knew I was meant to be a writter and it has been my dearest wish ever since. I'm writting my first book this year.

[@danielortman2534]

well, I'd love to read it. Tolkin had so much meaning and weight to his stories, but he never forgot the importance of a stiff drink, a good meal, and of course, friends to share it with.

[@DoloresJNurss]

Me, too. Especially Sam. Like him, I was also a brown-skinned working-class kid taught to stay in my place and shamed for my inquiring mind (though not by my family) His journey became my journey.

[@alrightsky]

It's ridiculous how just hearing ABOUT this, makes me wanna watch the movies. Again. Such a good universe he created. Such an inspiration.

[@chuckles1357]

It was wonderful to learn that in the mid-60s The Hobbit was just hitting America... In '64 i was in the fast reading group in 4th grade, and we got to read The Hobbit! My first introduction to Tolkien and I read the Trilogy so many times over the next ten years I lost count... I had no idea Tolkien was even alive then! My dad was at UC Berkeley after the war and he said people would get together and discuss his works... Just like they were doing in Britain! Thanks for sharing this great video!

[@TheCossak]

Great choice! Another interesting author I would like to see a bio on some day is Dostoyevsky

[@mcs131313]

Learning about someone like this is humbling. How could I ever live as interesting and impactful a life as this. But at age 30 - it is also inspiring, and highlights how much time I could possibly have left to do anything. Succeed, fail, quit and run away to the Caribbean etc.

[@VCYT]

Sean Bean died during the making of this video.

[@robo08ify]

VC YT He dies in everything he’s in! Except in The Martian where just his career died. 😂

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Ron Snow - Naa-ah, he was in a movie with Jodi Foster where he played a pilot of a jetliner along with some guy who kidnaps her daughter, during the flight, so you get to see Jodi Foster playing an action hero, and blow up a bomb, on a plane, to save her daughter, and be a hero. Sean Bean doesn't die in this one, sorry, I can't remember the name of the movie.

[@Max1990Power]

David Smith he is frankenstein in a new british show. You can see it on Netflix :P

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

He didn't die in Sharpe's Rifles :)

[@hectoramador6397]

One does not simply walk into Mordor

[@Joe..3.8.0.9_]

Simon You make a great history teacher Love videos. , can't stop watching them .. He was a brilliant man ! What a writer .....

[@ExMachina70]

Without Tolkien my most exciting years of Dungeons and Dragons may have never existed.

[@Hromovlad1]

At the very least it would have been very different. Gary Gygax himself was more of a Conan the Barbarian fans, but his co-workers loved Lord of the Rings.

[@Dsdcain]

Fantastic video about such an influential writer. Very well done Simon and the Biographics crew. *:-)*

[@ThinnkTwicce]

It always makes me happy when I hear of happy marriages like this

[@DoReMi123acb]

Did you know that the Lord of the Rings is actually a single book? It was just such a large tome that it had to separated into three volumes.

[@shubhamdhingra8863]

Egie Asemota So did he write all of it and then published the whole volume into separate books?

[@shubhamdhingra8863]

Damn!

[@shooterrick1]

Shubham Dhingra Yes.

[@myself2noone]

That's a little funny as some of the longer Wheel of time or Stormlight archive books are about the same word count. But Sanderson so you know?

[@kelly2fly]

Shubham Dhingra Tolkien didn’t like that his publisher divided his work into three parts.

[@korkronwarlord]

If only the world would see more men like J.R.R Tolkien surface today.

[@fishboysss]

He created so many loveable characters... And from all those characters that I could have chosen, I had to take Gollum.

[@DarqueQueen7]

I never took the time to learn more about Tolkien. So thank you so much for this biography. Two thumbs up again, Simon % Co!

[@DesmoProfundis]

What a courageous guy. Although an artist and scholarly fellow, he still answered his country's call to arms and fought bloody battles in the trenches alongside his countrymen. If for no other reason, that right there deserves great respect.

[@Nisus_Wettus]

I love how Christopher Lee met him

[@eddieb7054]

Mr Lee would be a great choice for this series.

[@worrywirt]

eddie b agreed! The man had the most insane life ever. Did you know he was a direct descendant of Charlemagne? And he made 2 metal albums about him?? Absolute legend

[@thesnipingseal8011]

empty sky I knew he made heavy metal albums but he was a descendant of Emperor Charlemagne? That’s even more crazy

[@matthewmckenna248]

Tolkien created his masterpiece of a story. During the Second World War.

[@pandagod6541]

first he was at the Soume

[@KhanMann66]

Oof you poor fellow.

[@kelly2fly]

The trenches were during WWI. That was where his inspirations manifested.

[@mariegriffiths]

You are wrong. He created the world of Middle Earth during WWI. Read John Garths book.

[@olerocker3470]

@@mariegriffiths I have that book. Good read on the influence of the great war on Tolkien's life and work.

[@isaiahoconnor8236]

C.S. Lewis next please :)

[@bridgettleigh2912]

Isaiah OConnor yes

[@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs]

Simon did a segment on his weird ass sex life if that counts.

[@Danlovar]

@@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs link please?

[@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs]

@@Danlovar I can try but he has so many channels that it might take a while.

[@Danlovar]

@@BadCookWhoJudgesChefs thanks so much!

[@christiannewling3859]

I knew the story of the Hobbit since primary school. I was even in a play version of it playing Bomber. I didn't read The Lord of the Rings till i was 40 after the first film came out which had a huge effect on me. It is now my favourite piece of literature. I even have tattoos of the film characters. There is so much in these books. Friendships, bravery, sacrifice, honor and even fear. I wish i could live in Middle Earth if that were a possibility. Thank you for an interesting video. I love your channel. I would love to see you make a video about Agatha Christie.

[@Maudie90]

I remember asking for you guys to do a bio on Tolkien! Thank you so much! Love the channel!

[@DoloresJNurss]

Thank you for inspiring this!

[@katherinevallo2326]

I never grow tired rereading Tolkien's stories

[@TheStobb50]

Thank you. Tolkien has been a big part of my life growing up in the 60s and 70s his books heavily influenced the music in which I listen to, the first book I ever read was The Hobbit I am dyslexic and struggle to read but I read The Hobbit about six times the man was a genius

[@vixendoe2545]

Thank you for this. I have been reading Tolkien since my college days and they never grow old.

[@itzdat1k1ddabawzzz72]

Never read the Lord of the Rings series but the movies were incredible and inspired tons of people who maybe weren't familiar. I did however years after the films read The Hobbit in high school for a science fiction and fantasy class I took. It was a really amazing book and I was thankful for having read it. It was great seeing the backstory to all the movies and experiencing how it all began. Interesting finding out where the man who created it all came from.

[@lawmaker22]

“The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision" J.R.R. Tolkien

[@DoloresJNurss]

Before you can understand why Tolkien made moral courage a central theme of his works, you have to understand the context of his mother's diabetes. Although the diagnosis did mean death in those days, she could have prolonged her life by years with a diet centered around meat and dairy; her body could burn protein and fats, but not carbs. The typical affluent diet of Britain would have fit the bill nicely, and she had well-off relatives who would have been more than happy to provide it for her--on condition that she abandon her Catholic conversion and return to Protestantism. Otherwise the diet of the British poor (a high-carb diet based on beans and bread) would kill her in a year. Her family didn't reckon on the depth of her religious convictions, however. So diabetes whittled her away before her son's eyes, leaving him to regard her as a martyr.

[@mansourbellahel-hajj5378]

I love that character he designed a world we all love today really an artist by his own right.

[@libertygiveme1987]

Tolkien, WOW, what a LIFE!!!! NEVER read 'The Hobbit', not really into that type of reading, but now that I find that Tolkien was raised 'Roamn Catholic,' and didn't turn away from his faith, it has PEEKED MY INTEREST!!!!

[@DoloresJNurss]

@@chickenlittle567 , I am sorry that people of my religion have evidently hurt you or people dear to you. I truly hope that you find healing for the wounds that make you feel this way. I will say that there is a huge range of variation among Catholics. We have our scientists, our idiots, our mystics, our saints, our abusers. We run the political gamut from Buchanan to Berrigan and can be found in all parties and persuasions. We have kind people and cruel people, narrow minds and broad ones, our bigots and our bridge-builders. You will find a Catholic on practically every side of every debate. Don't write us all off just yet.

[@scotstirling4946]

Slowly but surely finding myself subscribed to more and more of your channels throughout the lockdown. Kept me sane haha

[@rienbach9891]

Absolutely brilliant , thank you Simon !

[@josephdestaubin7426]

In 2015 was made to read Tolkien's speech about criticism on Beowulf while I was seeking a digree in the U.S. for history at Univercity. Such is the level of influance that his oppinions on the subject of literary criticism still shows. Interesting, while his critique of the world of criticism was well founded, the effect that his critique had was less so, and was probably a great deal more impactfull than he would have believed posible or appropriate.

[@t.j.armendariz354]

Fr. Francis was actually made their guardian by Tolkien’s mother, and he raised them in the Birmingham Oratory founded by Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman after his own conversion to Catholicism.

[@lawmaker22]

both brilliant minds....tolkien cs lewis cardinal newman gk chesterton,wow brits should be proud

[@cantbetamed2210]

For me, He is the Father of Fantasy! I've read all his books when I was 12 and still read them at least thrice a year. The Silmarillion still astonished me.

[@ryantoy851]

I love all of the channels that Simon is a part of. That being said, am I the only one who couldn't stop staring at what appears to be his crookedly trimmed mustache? Having done this myself, I know how much it sucks.

[@barbarachase5824]

Thank you sooooo much! I absolutely love, Love, LOVE the topic of this video, J.R.R. Tolkien!

[@Runningmaster2025]

Thank you for doing this biography! I adore Tolkien

[@joshuapatrick682]

Beren and Luthien! Rest In Peace, and thanks for all the great memories:)

[@cryptik_siren4831]

I used to live by sarehole mill, it was strange seeing the landscape and knowing it was the inspiration of the shire.

[@SpeedyXGunz]

Return Of The King won every Academy Award it was nominated for. 11 wins total, tying Titanic and Ben-Hur.

[@KimothyQ]

Keep up the great videos Simon :) Edith Piaf and Terry Pratchett, please..?

[@amiralikiani786]

Time traveler moves a rock Johny sins : WERE GONNA EXPLORE J.R.R TOLKIEN LIFE

[@Nathan-kd6vd]

Wow this was a really good episode. You should make one on Jimi Hendrix next.

[@goatamongsheep4296]

You should educate yourself.

[@rboyd3435]

So well done. Masterful biographic.

[@spritedaway12]

Excellent choice!

[@ardenalexa94]

I love the way he talked about his wife. I have a sort of nostalgia for information about him because my dad loved his books.

[@BlueL1n3]

Could you do a biography of CS Lewis?

[@LloydMolefe]

Love from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@guytaunton2892]

I met his great-grandson and i wanted to hate him `coz he got all the cash from the films!! but he was one of the nicest,humblest blokes i have ever met.

[@raydillon]

Excellent! I've watched a lot of Tolkein docs and this was still fresh and had new information and a more personal approach. Great job!

[@marksherfy3791]

Just...damn. How could anyone bring up someone as inane as boy george in an episode on the great J.R.R. Tolkien? This borders on sacrilege. Go study someone of actual importance. Boy george. Just, damn.

[@littlepeach2010]

It's strange, Tolkien died in 1973, 3 rings for the Elves. 7 Rings for the Dwarves. 9 Rings for the Man & 1 Ring to rule them all.

[@m.j.vazquez4720]

this comment deserves to be pinned to the top

[@YoungOzProject]

@@m.j.vazquez4720 Absolutely

[@craigus1991]

My favourite author of all time. Excellent bio sir.

[@HeviErkka]

As a Finn i always knew that Tolkien knew Finnish but why exactly they taught a language spoken by 3 million people at the time? Maybe it drew attention in academic circles because Finland just gained Independence (1917)? Just because it's hard for English speakers? :)

[@santtuprkl]

Bhaalspawn84 torille?

[@HeviErkka]

Männään vuan

[@HeviErkka]

Heh. I'm a Finn and never read Kalevala. 1800s poetry is challenging to read even if you would want to.

[@LiisaSM]

He features Finnish into his Father Christmas letters too - by name the North Polar Bear - Karhu!! I made a video on the letters if you want to check out the Finnish content.

[@worrywirt]

Because Finnish is simply awesome! Especially for language nerds ;) I’m glad that my language (Hungarian) is ever so distantly related. Hyvää päivänjatkoa!

[@Elwrt455]

As boys my younger brother and I was mesmerized watching the animated version. Tolkien was a genius

[@jasonsantos3037]

J.R.R Tolkien a fascinating man Sadly in modern times some solace corporation is buttering his work. 💍🌋

[@thatguy2756]

but I like butter...

[@steelionknight3949]

Where would our fantasy mmo rpg's be without this man😄

[@Blaze-sd1xk]

I love these videos, one suggestion I have is Alfred Hitchcock

[@weezerfan999]

I had to double check, I almost thought he had. That would definitely be a good episode.

[@luminescentnymph1940]

I am Hooked to the stories of Tolkien. Definitely some of the best works of fantasy ever written.

[@OverGoatfromTT]

Great episode next Edward teach

[@christineparis5607]

Unpopular Opinion Argh!! My maties!

[@sisaktamas]

What I like about the hobbits, is that the seemingly smallest and least significant character has to bear the biggest burden, that all the other great heroes, wise wizards and strong people refuse - because they fear their own lack of character. This moral strength of the little hobbit is so charming and poetic, it always brings tears to my eyes. p.s. My favorite character of all is Tom Bombadil, a lone wolf who is better off on his own with his household, just like Von-Tolla in The Jungle Book.

[@Spartan265]

I wish I could meet Tolkien.

[@iarissei]

The hobbit, lord of the rings and the similariallion,I read as a child. It lead me to Poe, Lovecraft, Dickens, Wilde, the Brontes, Wells, Card, Twain and all of the classics.

[@iarissei]

And Dumas and Tolstoy, Kant, Jefferson, Locke, Lewis, Salinger, King and Shakespeare. J.r.r Tolkien, thank you for teaching me how lovely and amazing reading a book is and always will be. If there's an after life, do me a favor and buy my father a shot for me, please.

[@robrosen7291]

Is there a Bio of George Orwell? Have I somehow missed it?

[@simongleaden2864]

Yes, I think there is a Biographics video on Orwell.

[@lyleslaton3086]

Excellent biography, a master story teller and poet.

[@stenbak88]

As unbiased as I think myself when you said he was a devout Catholic my ears perked up and I started listening bc I to am a devout Catholic

[@catholiccrusader5328]

God for you fellow Catholic; glad to hear it.

[@notreally4399]

The ring was a metaphor for the pain and horror of his experience in WW1. Something he endured that made him stronger but he knew would eventually destroy him. Like the rest of us :)