The Nature of Middle-earth | Tolkien Book Review

I've had about a week with the brand new book "The Nature of Middle-earth", containing writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and edited by Carl F. Hostetter. In this review, I'll give my first impressions, the kinds of fans I believe will benefit from this book, and drop a few new findings from the newly unearthed writings of our favorite author!
Purchase "The Nature of Middle-earth" here:
US: amzn.to/3jooov5
UK: amzn.to/3BpkGHX
Check out my interview with the book's editor, Carl Hostetter here: • Carl Hostetter, editor...
#natureofmiddleearth #tolkien #review

[@NerdoftheRings]

Would you like to see more Middle-earth reviews by Nerd of the Rings? If so, let me know what you'd like me to review next!

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

That would be great! Any book, really.

[@camdaman1621]

For sure. This video was put together really well, It'd be great to see more.

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

I could watch your reviews anyday!!!

[@darth_hylian]

I would like to see reviews of Fall of Gondolin or Beren and Luthien

[@NerdoftheRings]

I will definitely do this one day, but I’m waiting until I get into my new home office space! 😁

[@MenoftheWest]

Awesome man, I can’t wait!

[@ramondejesus65]

Love your channel!!

[@NerdoftheRings]

He’s the Original Tolkien KZbinr! 👑

[@arslors]

Yoystan! Glad to see u here, 2 of my fav youtubers!

[@KillNamniaR]

West will fall!

[@JustSomeGuy]

Sold. Didn't even think twice about it. Sold.

[@YumYum820]

My man on my other favorite YT channel 😎👌

[@NerdoftheRings]

Worlds colliding! 😁

[@Raz.C]

This video reminded me of a line in a video made by ERB (Epic Rap Battles of History). In the George R. R. Martin vs J. R. R. Tolkien video, one of Martin's lines is "We don't need the history of every friggin' tree branch." That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. When Aragorn finds a sapling of Nimloth, towards the end of LOTR, Gandalf recounts the heritage of the tree, back to Telperion. That might not mean anything to the casual reader, but the more dedicated fans will recognise the meaning of this heritage. But even if you knew nothing of this history and nothing about Telperion and Laurelin, the fact that these trees have a lineage important enough to be well known, adds a rich sense of narrative depth and robustness. It makes the story come alive, in a way, making it feel like a genuine history. So I guess we DO need a history for every friggin' tree branch...

[@NerdoftheRings]

I’ve heard of George RR Martin. He used to write books or something, didn’t he? 😏

[@Raz.C]

@@NerdoftheRings Yeah, he wrote a Sci-Fi book called Tuff Voyaging which I'm rather fond of, but I don't think he did anything important after that...

[@zachd4693]

You're right, Razar. It's also important to include biographies of objects in order to fit LOTR into the epic genre. Even inanimate objects can have rich histories behind them, like many swords, spears, cups, and other things in the Iliad and Odyssey. Great observation here

[@dlevi67]

@@NerdoftheRings He probably would not even have done that, had it not been for a certain J R R Tolkien - but probably doesn't understand the issue, since it is a bit of a history of a tree branch in his opinion.

[@laurahill9643]

"The genre's called fantasy! It's supposed to be unrealistic, you myopic manatee!"

[@saltedllama2759]

The depth of Tolkien's work is perhaps the most incredible part of it all. His notes seem never ending.

[@retroriven9740]

Wow, the facial hair thing surprised me. I cannot imagine any of those characters without beards. Interesting book, I'm definitely gonna pick it up!

[@steveno7058]

Just watch the original cartoon to see Aragorn without a beard

[@rand0m508]

The books actually mention Aragorn being beardless quite a lot, it's just one of those things you forget as movies and books blend together in your mind

[@leandermol]

I refuse to believe the Numenorian bears looked different than the images used.

[@NerdoftheRings]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brentsilvey2288]

LOL

[@KillNamniaR]

It’s the canon image sorry brother

[@wizardfurby212]

So much like the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World!!! 😂🤣🤣

[@craignicholas4167]

If Tolkien could magically pen another canonical book now, what aspect of middle earth would you most like it to focus on? For me it would be the full fact revealing of the undertakings and adventures of the blue wizards and all that entailed. I’d pay top dollar for that!

[@NerdoftheRings]

A blue wizards tale in the East would be pretty awesome!

[@tominiowa2513]

Tie between "The Full History of Bill the Pony" and "Dagor Dagorath and the Second Music of the Ainur".

[@Wawrzon161]

maybe there are still some hidden essays about that

[@spangelicious837]

Would love a story about the Blue Wizards and the East/South.

[@spangelicious837]

@@tominiowa2513 Seconding Bill the Pony. You know he has some thoughts on the Quest.

[@alexcorvuscazador5596]

And just when I thought Cirdan ( a second or third generation elf) could not be any older. Now add 134.5 more years to his age for every Valar year he lived through. I am surprised the guy did not have two elf beards instead of one.

[@therealelderking5830]

He’s probably one of the Unbegotten, who woke at Cuivenen, making him well over 10,000 years old.

[@thelightyears_]

@@therealelderking5830 Yep he's definitely one of those.

[@butterfacemcgillicutty]

@@therealelderking5830 yea right, he is isn't he? He never left middle-earth right? Wouldn't he also be a moriquendi?

[@dlevi67]

@@butterfacemcgillicutty By definition he is; he never saw Aman and the light of the Trees - the only "Middle-Earth" elf that was not a moriquendi was Elu Thingol.

[@MegInWhispers]

aragorn not having a beard is heartbreaking 😭💔

[@lionofthemorning7997]

I just found your channel & I’m very impressed. The first books I ever read on my own were The Lord of the Rings. I was around 5 or 6. Completing them took a few years, since I had a very religious upbringing & had to read them in secret. They made an understandable impact. Back then, I was unaware of Christopher”s scholarship & Tolkien’s other works, but in later years devoured & spent too much time absorbing Middle Earth. I left that behind as I became active in the world, but something made me indulge that old passion tonight. You are doing excellent work here. I can’t wait to read The Nature of Middle Earth.

[@curnelmillette9620]

It's amazing how detailed tolkien's world is and it makes me fully immersive my self into this world.

[@wpsam52]

Love to see more reviews on books about Tolkien and the legendarium. Preordered The Nature of Middle Earth and should arrive this week. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the review!

[@MusicMan984]

I'd love a video naming all of tolkien's works in regards to middle earth, lord of the rings, hobbit and silmarillion. Cause I want to read all his works and can't find a list online

[@NerdoftheRings]

I got you covered! Gonna make a video soon on my recommended reading order! 😁

[@MusicMan984]

@@NerdoftheRings thanks so much, I can't get enough of your channel 😁

[@fantasywind3923]

The dancing bears, seriously this makes The Hobbit even better hehe: ""I have been picking out bear-tracks," he said at last. "There must have been a regular bears' meeting outside here last night. I soon saw that Beorn could not have made them all: there were far too many of them, and they were of various sizes too. I should say there were little bears, large bears, ordinary bears, and gigantic big bears, all dancing outside from dark to nearly dawn. They came from almost every direction, except from the west over the river, from the Mountains. In that direction only one set of footprints led-none coming, only ones going away from here." ... "The hobbit felt quite crushed, and as there seemed nothing else to do he did go to bed; and while the dwarves were still singing songs he dropped asleep, still puzzling his little head about Beorn, till he dreamed a dream of hundreds of black bears dancing slow heavy dances round and round in the moonlight in the courtyard. Then he woke up when everyone else was asleep, and he heard the same scraping, scuffling, snuffling, and growling as before." The Hobbit

[@danielkover7157]

I know Tolkien never finished it, but something that would make this nerd swoon with twitterpating heart would be if someone discovered lost notes on the language of the dwarves. It's cool that one can learn Quenya and Sindarin, but if it were possible to learn Khuzdul, I would be all over that like an ant on a picnic. ❤😁

[@Ancient_Road]

It makes sense that it's the toughest to find, the drawfs hated outsiders learning their language

[@Blizzpoint]

Absolutely love your work my guy!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@shanenolan8252]

Valinor years or years of the tree's is a big nugget of data it changes a lot timeline wise or character ages

[@NerdoftheRings]

Indeed! It’s a big change too. Making it roughly 14x longer!

[@shanenolan8252]

@@NerdoftheRings wow

[@meduseldtales3383]

@@NerdoftheRings Does the book answer how long was the age of Trees, in normal years?

[@ChiaraSiasat]

I am so excited for this book! Thanks for the review Matt!!

[@conangibbs]

I love the way all these new editions (and now this book) all match. The designs are gorgeous. Has anyone heard if there are any plans to re-release the History of Middle-Earth series to match as well? I have the first 5 in old Ballantine paperbacks, but I’d love a whole set that matches the current designs.

[@spangelicious837]

I have that boxset too. And the Houghton Mifflin boxset for the History of LOTR, and the last three in hardcover. 🙈 There was just no complete single set when I was getting them, and I looked and looked.

[@iamrubenmes]

I want this too!

[@Enerdhil]

Can't wait for the interview. I watched Tolkien Road's interview of Carl. It was a great. He is a fascinating guy to just listen to. I hope you can get him back in the future to do a special on the pronunciation of Sindarin.🙏🙏

[@jemleith3263]

I've read Wheel of Time through over 78 times now as of this summer. I love your passion for LoTR and feel that same passion about Robert Jordan's works. I've been thinking of emulating your channel in some ways... :)

[@godfreemorals]

Wait... what??? 78 times!!! ALL of them? All 14 books?? I'm gobsmacked, what an achievement. I'm assuming you'd encouragement me to read beyond book two then! Which is only as far as I've got in Wheel of Time. Ever thought about writing/recording/doing something with all this accumulated Robert Jordan knowledge you have?

[@JohnSmith-is4uu]

If you are serious you really need to get out more or expand your library. Also contact guiness

[@tonybaker1268]

Can't wait to read this later this week. I thought the Fall of Gondolin was the last we were getting!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Same here! I’m just excited to have new Tolkien writings to talk about! Even Fall of Gondolin was pretty much all from previously published works I believe.

[@tonybaker1268]

@@NerdoftheRings Agreed! There's no feeling quite like new Tolkien material.

[@EmblemParade]

Suggestion for star ranking: rank from 1 to 3 Silmarils. :)

[@bradyweed4124]

I would kill to see a bear-dance. In the show, they better have the bear-dance and a younger kid is just red-faced trying to hold in his laughter

[@charlessegale6493]

Just got this book last Thursday and finally managed to start cracking on this one yesterday! What I've already read so far has been great!

[@AGuyOnTheInternet-jm4rs]

I will never be able to see or think about Aragon without a beard! His look in the films was just perect to me and I refuse to see it in any other way haha

[@capthappy8884]

I will absolutely do an illustration of dancing numenor bears! As one who has read/reread every published work of tolkiens, Im quite excited for this!

[@ofgondor5312]

1. Did you film the close up shots of the book yourself? If so, keep that up! 2. So wait, 1 V-Year = 144 Years!? This enhances the depth of the history of Arda 15 fold, literally! WOW 3. Yes more product review and more close up, high quality, well-lit videos of the item you're reviewing! 4. Still waiting on that Beleg video.... #FreeMorgoth

[@NerdoftheRings]

1) I did! 2) Crazy, right? 3) 👍 4) All in good time! 😁

[@Phoenix-King-ozai]

#FreeMorgoth Wow, I didn’t think I would read that, Lol Am a fan of the Great Enemy too It seems we’re gonna see our Dark lord in the Amazon series

[@ofgondor5312]

@@Phoenix-King-ozai my man! Me too! It’s more of an appreciation for what he did and how he did it. I have a running theory on how we could potentially see Morgoth, though the signs point to probably “just” Sauron.

[@ofgondor5312]

@@NerdoftheRings sorry to circle back to this but I wanted to reread the banishment of Fëanor. It was always perplexing to me that he was banished for “12 years” for such a crime. Never understood why the punishment was so light. Well turns out that’s actually 1,728 years lol. 12 x 144

[@orrointhewise87]

Oh noooooooooooooooooo Dancing bears? I could not hold my laughter in for a second; I would excuse myself right away 😂 But sounds like a new Christmas present for myself:))

[@luudest]

A couple of months ago I here wanted to write something like this: „Imagine they find in an attic a lost Tolkien manuscript‘ Well, here it is 🤗

[@PatriceBoivin]

Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.)'s Rolemaster and Middle-Earth Role Playing (MERP) modules included lists of herbs and berries, and what they did. Very detailed and I liked how well they complemented the original writings.

[@Mrappletree]

Love your work! Greetings from Spain!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@MzShaybutta]

I don't know. What does Christopher Tolkien son say about the beards on men? Tolkien described Aragorn as swarthy and rascally like. Facial hair seems to go hand and hand with that description.🤷🏿

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

Ahhhh😋😋, great video cant wait to start reading this book...And I could watch your reviews anyday!!!!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks, my friend! 😁

[@Yesica1993]

I had not heard of this one. Will check out the interview as well.

[@Pumpkin.queen.666]

Could you please do an in-depth video on all the new units of time because I’m incredibly confused. And not just the units themselves but how they all relate to aging and what not. I’m in the section of how elves age and then whole “it’s this many years for the elves but men would view it as this many years” is leaving me incredibly confused.

[@StevenForditude]

So excited for this book. I’ve read (and own) LotR, The Hobbit and The Silmarillion. So I’m very excited for this addition to my collection. I even asked my library to buy a few copies.

[@ZOB4]

The bear dancing thing from Numenor might have been referenced to in The Hobbit at Beorn's house. Hmmm

[@bovasi]

I love it that you don’t do numbers and star rankings on your channel 👍 Tolkien’s world of Middle-Earth is abstract, it is described in words and poetry. And sometimes things doesn’t seem to make much sense, especially not from a modern rational perspective. I’d like to keep it that way. Keep the magic and keep the mystery. Thank you for that and thanks for a good book review!

[@h8rdw8r3]

I have this on pre-order and can't wait to start reading it this weekend! I'm even more excited after seeing your video!

[@scherbauercristian1805]

Everybody laughing or giggling at the bear thing, while here i am imagining the dancing bears giving one last performance(akin to the musicians of the Titanic) as the Island is sinking at the Downfall of Númenor.

[@TheGrayStage]

Wow I was a little skeptical about ordering this. This video definitely helped me decide to buy!

[@unitedweanalyse5193]

You have the best channel related to tolkien's universe. Your hard work is unbelievable! I love your channel matt

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! :)

[@pendragnx]

I'd love to hear your opinions on middle earth book collections/omnibuses .. I have a really old copy of the Lord of The Rings, but I don't own any of the further reading

[@sherry3099]

I’ve got my copy ordered and honestly I was just thinking about lembas bread earlier today so excited to learn how it is made. Would love your recommendations on book sets as well.

[@butterfacemcgillicutty]

I am so jazzed for this!!! We get new writings!

[@Rucklo]

Love your content, and this little video oozed with respect and admiration for the world Tolkien created, in a very professional manner. When I get out of school, I'll def. become a patron!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much, my friend! Greatly appreciated!!

[@michaelpace99]

This is incredible! Cant wait to get it

[@meta1gear4]

Your commentary pace and style for this is ideal. Please keep doing future videos this way as the massively slowed down pace in recent clips is quite difficult to endure.

[@annaroselarsen4218]

This is awesome my book is in pre order now!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear what you think of it!

[@annaroselarsen4218]

@@NerdoftheRings yes! Same here !

[@Lordnumptynous]

Thank you I wasnt aware this existed. 100% going to read Both the History and Nature.

[@erikavalentina4940]

Woop woop… I’m into it as soon as I saw there is a chapter about the founding of nargothrond

[@loremaster234]

Looking healthy brother. Great video as always. Stay humble and God bless!

[@curiousdave]

I'd love to see more reviews on Tolkien litterature!

[@gordonbarbay750]

Great job! I will add my voice to others saying please continue to do reviews as part of your explorations of Tolkien's universe. Also I think it would be cool to see the stories of Rivendell and Lorien.

[@hunterstephens4541]

Could I ask what book most explores Tolkien's writing process qua writing, like whether he outlined or wrote so many pages a day, etc.?

[@Vaudiven]

can we get a houses of gondolin list, all the great elven houses and what they where characterized by and accomplished

[@Boofatcha]

You are THE modern source for anything LOTR related, thank you for your efforts. I would never have heard of this book and now I'm buying it!

[@fabriciodarkpanzer837]

Congratulations you're doing an outstanding job. Greetings from El Salvador.

[@ToaGatanuva]

Sike! Fall of Númenor came!

[@marionbaggins]

Man, I really want to read this now!!!

[@camdaman1621]

Yessss! Can't wait for mine to come in. Great video!

[@lmtoad1397]

What books are behind you on your top shelf? They have a diamond pattern on the spine. They are next to the world of Tolkien.

[@stephanelegrand8181]

Thanks for the review ! I'll Have to read it in english ... Not sure of what exist already in translated Christopher's work !

[@nevem5010]

Well, that sounds like a whole lot of fun and loveliness; definitely one for my wishlist! Thank you ❤️.

[@TillBarkley]

As always your work is awesome and I think if you can you should continue this book review series. I would just like to ask, so how long are valian years? Are they 9.5 or 144. Why did everyone think it was 9.5 and why could it now be 144? This makes me wery confused. NO PERSON can write stories as good as Tolkien.

[@NerdoftheRings]

These are late writings of Tolkien, so lots of scattered notes and such. It’s hard to say what should be considered truly “canon”. Basically, this shows that Tolkien was reconsidering the number of years in Valian years. As Carl shares in the upcoming interview, Tolkien reconsidered a LOT of stuff in his later life. Haha

[@cathleenmccarty556]

Were the length of Valian years retconned or we just assumed their length was 9.5?

[@caseyhilsee1354]

Helpful review! Thanks for putting it together! I’m looking forward to your interview with Carl. :)

[@vainor797]

Nice review ! Ill probably pick this book up it seems interesting

[@Roshan-sb8mh]

I'm so in love with middle Earth!! Can't wait to read all the books

[@BertoBerg]

Those bear dance images!

[@Pickle136]

thanks for your thoughts and preview of the book

[@scottjoseph7556]

Ive preordered it about a month ago and now I definately cant wait

[@grimtrigger7557]

Thank you, did not know about it, just ordered it. The reviews are much appreciated, keep it up!

[@SAl-wp9ki]

Can you please make a detailed video about the new information that will change what we thought we already knew, such as you mentioned that Aragon not having beard, and the real age of some of the elves, etc. It will be interesting to watch.

[@EricHeidenAuthor]

2:52 or Sean Bean's equally impressive beard

[@ricardocortes5975]

This makes the years of the lamps and the trees and Incredibly LONG age O.O holy hello im amazed that I can still learn so much new stuff about JRR Tolkien, already on my wishlist :)

[@Aurora2097]

I am thrilled! I need this book...

[@joecalahan4068]

I’m getting this for Christmas. Can’t wait to read it

[@studiovalinor]

So great, a new book of middle earth and tolkien ❤

[@jankrizkovsky9446]

Yeah... I've already preordered it. But I'm only on volume 4 of HoME right now.

[@kevinmoore4845]

Any of the prequel book reviews would be great. Personally I've only read the Unfinished Tales.

[@nickowchar2001]

Well done; great review of a book that wanders all over the place (like the Istari). Bravo!

[@GreatGreebo]

So Galadriel is like ~148,000 THOUSAND years old?!? 😳 (and your depiction of the dancing Numenorian bears is now CANON in my mind)

[@godfreemorals]

So, is it like a more readable edit of that 4 book History of the LOTR? Because those books are so dense and chaotic that even I (an academic librarian) found them too much! That said, there's some gold in there but also some very dull information. Example: The character of Strider was first considered as a Hobbit called 'Trotter'!

[@rodericblack4657]

Does this include some or all of the lore found in some of the Vinyar Tengwar issues?

[@NerdoftheRings]

There is some of the Vinyar Tengwar stuff for sure. I know Carl mentioned some of them in the interview we filmed!

[@jacobfisher8296]

Random video idea: what if faramir went to rivendell and joined the fellowship instead of boromir. Been going through the LOTR audiobooks at work, and this idea has been running through my head for a while. Would he have succumbed to the alure of the ring over the greater time spent around it on the travels with the fellowship? If boromir then survived and was in minas tirith, how would aragorns approach and kingship be handled with both sons, and a proud denethor still alive and in power. How would the three companions (potentially then 4, assuming faramir survives) travels in and around rohan look? Theres a lot to consider, but would be very interested in your thoughts. Just an idea :)

[@johnlennartsson4816]

Great review. Now I want to pick it up! :)

[@thelonesomewanderer8359]

will there be an audiobook for this does anyone know? i'm awful at reading full books and really enjoy audiobooks when they're done well

[@matejailic5479]

You can (must) do more reviews!

[@sammyhiggins8601]

Awesome video! Can't wait to pick this book up for myself.

[@ivanostermann7644]

Heyyy!!! Love your videos !!! Qq: do you recommend the book “the complete guide to middle earth “?

[@bennagel2180]

Aragorn artwork at 2:42? Artist?

[@phiology1983]

Getting my copy!

[@SugerSprinkledFun]

PLEASE GIVE US A TOUR OF YOUR TOLKIEN BOOKCASE COLLECTION

[@bassboyjon]

Huge fan of LOTR since the movies but just recently starting reading the actual books. Is that spread at 04:22 the entirety of the official Tolkien literature/canon? I’m finding it hard to navigate the many books that are out there.

[@Tritlo]

Already ordered it at this point. Haha YES, right after I saw it was out!

[@leonardofaber5823]

Thanks for the review, man

[@runevi]

Sounds to me like there's gonna be a deluge of editing on the Tolkiengateway! And this book basically gave channels like yours an infusion of possible content!