Tolkien in epic mode

[@adriantamblyn-watts7308]

In these troubled times, may we listen for the horn blow of our King.

[@CristiNeagu]

Alas, there is no one worthy to wear the crown.

[@AmericanImperium2112]

@@CristiNeagu All too true. 😞🍺

[@ryancain6012]

That's what some in Gondor said, too, but we, in hope, fight the long defeat.

[@terraincognita9361]

@@CristiNeaguChristus Rex

[@joeybravo6172]

​@@CristiNeagu he already wears it in glory eternal

[@graciehogue6166]

My husband and I sat on the front porch this evening, smoked our pipes, and listened to this as we watched the cows in the valley. Oh how I needed this. I will be brave. Thank you, sir.

[@jessicapinto3817]

Cheers from another pipe smoking couple. May you find your bravery when you need it most

[@hzs-p4i]

به نظر عالی میاد

[@salvatorem4045]

Sounds like a perfect beautiful night, what state/country?

[@JelloFluoride]

❤

[@zoobee]

perhaps the greatness of Tolkein lies in the intimacy of the characters in the epic landscape of its world and universe. the themes are so cosmic and epic of scale, but we are always intimately bonded to the hearts of the characters and their struggles, friendships and fears

[@Ornamentmountain]

Well put. I think you’ve summed up the magic of it ❤️

[@oculii1]

A parallel reality to Lewis’ Narnia.

[@helenjourde9033]

I will celebrate my 70th birthday in November. I had the great good fortune to find Tolkien in my early teens, and I have lost track of how many times I've read it over the years. I never tire of it.

[@Ornamentmountain]

I only read these books recently at 49 years old and am already re reading them. I’m glad there’s someone reading them at 70. It makes me think I’ll probably be doing the same 😊

[@out_of_the_BOX]

I am starting where you started (in my teens) and I'm excited to spend a majority of my life with these books and stories!

[@danilopolar6476]

i've only read The Robbit, i want to read the rest of it but at 22 my life is so busy with college i can't read something else other than the college stuff i need to read first T-T

[@Ornamentmountain]

@@danilopolar6476 I went off of reading for years after I finished uni. Don’t beat yourself up just look forward to when you feel like reading for pleasure again 😊

[@danilopolar6476]

@@Ornamentmountain thanks

[@paulwalker5822]

How we need epic, rich poems and stories of heroes and the victory of all that is good in these days. Thank you for the reminder it is always darkest before the drawn. What a combination of writer and reader - just perfect. Thanks Malcolm.

[@allistairlicorice310]

Lotta damn orc pouring into the West these days

[@zedooncadhz]

This guy is a like a tonic for modern day anxiety

[@GrumpyScotsman]

Listening to you speak and read from real classics is always a joy.

[@matthewhammond859]

Tolkiens writing gives me shivers.

[@technologic21]

Alan's illustrations are wonderful. They really give a sense of scale to Arda and they pull the reader in.

[@JosephHeinecke-t5x]

Keep reading as much Tolkien as humanly possible!! Just absolutely wonderful

[@out_of_the_BOX]

As a new college student and teen, these videos give me three things. 1, a peaceful solitude from my day-to-day stress. 2, a splendid look and opinion into some great literacy. And 3, a person I aspire to be far in the future, that being a wiser and grey-bearded man who has his own study filled with books, pipes, and trinkets, each item having itself a story and history that I can dictate to friends and family. I'll always enjoy a video in your study, and I always love some more tolkien.

[@truincanada]

You shall reach your goals be assured, you have already planned and are actioning.

[@stuartgreen4512]

Malcolm- my heart is full. This passage, the king springing up as hope is kindled in his heart- is for me the best piece of writing on Earth. The majesty, the heroism on display, the way Theoden overcomes despair and darkness- he dispels it with the light of his hope. He is compared to Orome, he produces so clear a shout that man has never made on middle earth before- truly the Edain come again! And then to this we must add the Rohirrim themselves, the battle fury of their fathers on them as much as Theoden king. And to the slaughter they rode, and they sung! No doubt a terrible and beautiful song, as again we see the great message of Tolkien in full pomp- that light and hope will always defeat the darkness. This passage remains to me the best piece of writing ever produced, and ironically one of the passages that is least talked about when we discuss the greatness of Tolkien. This video is a blessing.

[@mariaagullo5824]

Amen! Let the horns blow announcing our King.

[@aletheuo475]

I, too, generally favour the passages of rest and beauty, but this passage never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Over Michaelmas I have been thinking a lot about the idea of the Martial spirit and trying to figure out why, despite my peaceable nature, it moves me so. I suppose that courage is so precious and brilliant a thing that it almost moves the heart to see battle just to know it. But true courage is usually far quieter than that, which is something Tolkien well knew. The courage of a Man in a garden, refusing to escape His destined suffering, is greater than the valour of any mighty warrior.

[@brendanmccallion2350]

Another beautiful video Malcolm. When my father passed away, I must have listened to Tolkien's reading from Ride of Rohirrim over and over again. It brought me a lot of comfort somehow, and gave me strength listening to the courage shown by the Rohirrim in the face of such darkness through his words and voice. Thanks again. Sláinte 🥃

[@IAMNationX]

"Knock Knock"....We enter our comfy place....the absolute joy it gives me is immeasurable. God bless you Father.

[@Nighttrainpiper]

“Fell deeds awake” says so much about the nature of war and the reluctant resolve of good men to fight for what they hold dear..

[@ianweir3608]

One of my favorite lines from that part is when Gandalf told Pippin something like "it only takes one side to make war" a sad but important truth

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

I remember the first time I read the Lord of the Rings and came to this part about the Rohirrim, I thought to myself, this is what reading is for.

[@MicahCooley_authenticstory]

Theodan's charge is such a stirring passage. It gives goosebumps every time I hear it I think. And you are right, the imagery there is beautiful!

[@loganbutler1016]

You know when he pulls out a churchwarden it's going to be epic! I enjoy these videos immensely. I've bought a fair number of books because of them!

[@paulcresswell2279]

A wonderful excuse for some me time. At 57 years old and having read Tolkien work over and over again I still find it magical. Thank you.

[@Rajhamsa]

I remember that the norse poem völuspa describes the end of the world, ragnarök, in similar terms: "...an axe age, a sword age -shields are riven- a wind age, a wolf age- before the world goes headlong." This is just from the Wikipedia page for Ragnarök, but the similarity is evident.

[@johnshura1650]

Thank you so much for this reading. I finished that part of the book over the weekend. I have read this many times over my 50plus years and it gets me every time. To me it's Gandalf's greatest moment. To stand and face that incredible terror as he enters the gate that had never been broken before. The charge, loyalty and sacrifice by Rohan to keep their word of sending aid to their ally. If that is not spiritual enough, then I don't know what is.

[@CPWebster]

Marvellous heroic fantasy at its best... and wonderfully narrated too.

[@ZanderChromebook]

I am literally reading the return of the king at the moment. It is a masterpiece. The chapters 'The battle of Pellenor fields' and 'Mount Doom' are as good as any chapters of any books you will ever read

[@manfrombritain6816]

whenever i hear the horn blast in the movie i get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. it evokes a deep feeling within, that even in the absolute darkest, most despairing moment when there is no hope left, there will come some last valiant voice that impossibly announces: "NOT TODAY"

[@AtmaVidya]

You are brilliant and your work re-enchants the world! Greetings from Brazil 🙌🏻🇧🇷☀️

[@frishdaw]

Another great video. I really enjoy the personal nature of your study. Feels like I’m visiting a favorite professor in my college years. Best to you Malcolm.

[@klapchek]

One of my favorite passages from Tolkien. Stirring to say the least! Thank you, sir, for your reading. Peace!

[@andrewkay4360]

Thank you Malcolm. Your videos a wonderful. A pipe a single malt and your readings 📚 many thanks

[@MariadeRonde]

I read the Lord of the rings about 12 times I think, en thougt I knew all about it but you make me see hidden meanings and give me a fresh vieuw on the substance. Thank you, I am eager for more of this!

[@multida]

Thank you for another video, Malcolm. This channel is a wonderful host for English literature, and you have inspired me as a high school student to perhaps pursue it one day at university. It's always nice to hear your readings :)

[@dan_doug]

Malcolm, your reflections are always treasures and enrich my appreciation of Tolkien. Thank you, sir.

[@MariadeRonde]

I completely agree with you

[@TheGrandNagus-pg4ec]

One of my favorite moments in the books. Thank you for sharing this one with us.

[@josephvitaliano3226]

Hello and Autumn Greetings from Brooklyn, New York! Thank you so much for continuing to bring cozy, enlightened comfort and delight to all of us out here. Much Love and Best Wishes, Sir... "Look not to far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves, Men and all the Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!"

[@mattshaffer5935]

This passage always gets to me and I return to it especially when life seems bleak. How wonderful to hear you read from it Sir! Thank you for your hard work.

[@tacpowers]

For as much as you speak of Tolkien as a great writer, indeed, you bring out the stories splendidly with your great reading and speaking skills. Listening to you read, even at a middle age as I am, brings me back to my childhood days when we would listen to our mothers or fathers read stories to us, not always knowing every word, but finding comfort just the same in hearing their voice and the soothing tone as they went on with the story. So it is the same as I listen to you read from Tolkien and I begin to see the images of the story form in my head and I feel a wonderful warm comfort that reminds me of days long past. Thank you Sir for these wonderful times where we can relive, revive, and return to what matters most...our memories. God bless you!

[@chrisbolland5634]

Love this video, it's one of my favorite moments in the story. King Theoden's rising to glory in the light after long years of dark depression has long spoken to my soul, in my own struggle with depression. The moment where Theoden finally completes his character arc by rising up in his stirrups... one last time... rather than slinking back into the shadow, really gives me the courage I need to face my battles. On the anglo-saxon bent, I've recently been working on a poem in an Old Norse meter about a journey to reconcile with death, framed as a warrior seeking treasure in a barrow. I hope you enjoy these few stanzas, My keen eyes crane from Canted decks While hard and haggard with regrets. Alone and adrift I sail along and without Companions sight the craggy cliffs, Wyrd and wrought with wyrm-shapes gape, that Ægir's daughters age. Bitter the bellowing gale Buffets my face as up above the whale-road I ascend. I struggle upward on the stairs, Slimed by countless seasons’ course, And wheels of heaven’s wicking lights. Daring to draw from hallowed Depths, for glory From the treasure trove.

[@annienardone4002]

Rohan has come. This passage gives me chills and tears.

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

If there’s one thing the films captured perfectly it was the heroic and awesome majestic feel of the arrival of the Rohirrim. Just heearing the words read always harkens me back to that moment that has never failed to deliver me goosebumps. 😊 Ride Now! Ride for Ruin and the World’s ending! DEATH! DEATH! DEATH! FORTH EORLINGAS!!! (Now I need to go rewatch the scene 😅)

[@augustusmspence9872]

Thank you, Malcolm. These words are so encouraging and wonderful to hear.

[@Ornamentmountain]

Thanks

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Many thanks for the support!

[@Ornamentmountain]

@@MalcolmGuitespell you’re very welcome 😊

[@Dominick_Francione]

Thank you for this. Such a great portion of the book. You are readings and commentary are excellent.

[@wlsims85]

Thank you so very much! I enjoyed this while smoking some Black Gold Maple in my churchwarden! Just wonderful!

[@Vosh_Halen]

Thank you for the wonderful reading. You truly are a blessing.

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Evening 😊 Beautiful Pipe 😍 Thanks For Sharing 👏🏼 Appreciate The Read 📖 Have a Wonderful Week Ahead and Happy Smoking Moments 🌬💨💨 Greetings From South Africa 🇿🇦

[@stoicepictetus3875]

Well said !

[@albert2395]

Another great reading by Malcolm!❤😊

[@nathanmcvey6575]

One of my favorite passages from Tolkien! Thank you for reading that. I love your videos and am always excited to see new uploads. Cheers!

[@JJ-go7re]

By my beard! It's always a pleasure seeing Mr. Guite ❤

[@adventuresinbasicreality219]

Absolute legend

[@jeremus725]

Great video as always! Really excited to see you at Sewanee soon as well! It would be awesome to be able to enjoy a pipe in your company!

[@1x3dil]

Lagavulin the most noble of drinks , the true spirit of the ancient ways . Which you entwine with the Tolkien spirit , and it is not lost on those who dip in and out of this feet of literary fiction . Yes I use the word fiction with some displeasure , but it cannot denounce its true value . For in reality most of its meaning is not only relevant , but indeed far beyond what we can see and experience . We are lucky to have such an interpreter in our midst to enlighten us in the possibilities of wisdom and courage , and to what the future could contain . God bless you Malcolm Kind regards as always

[@TheSeventhZombie]

This makes me nostalgic for the hours I’d sit with my Lit profs discussing Shakespeare…ah if id only known how important those days would be to me. Cheers!

[@PipeTalks-b4x]

"Epic" title Malcom haha. You got me to take up the pipe around March and I just started my own channel doing some monologues due to your influence. I look forward to all your videos, have a blessed day!

[@paga8392]

what a treat it is that i found this channel… absolutely fantastic

[@raza5757]

Thank you Professor.

[@Skyfevermusic]

Just discovered you Malcolm, you are a gift from Manwe himself! Incredible

[@MrNoucfeanor]

Tolkien, the master of epicness! He revolutionized fantasy for sure. I like me a long pipe; less heat & easier to burn. Cleaning can be a mess though.

[@ianweir3608]

At 31, i just finished LOTR for the first time, not one month ago. I write fiction myself as a hobby, but neverthelss i was (and mostly still am) totally speachless. Lost for words. I am grateful it took me so long to make my way around to it, because i got to read other popular epic fantasy, such as _A Song of Ice and Fire_ , _Memory, Sorrow and Thorn_ and _The Wheel of Time_ ( just to name a few) first and compare them as i read Tolkien. Even compared to some of the most famous and praised stories of our time, written with millions of words by professional authors, LOTR is simply on a different plane. It is inconceivable to me that LOTR could ever be replicated Did you know the main text of LOTR took Tolkien _17 years_ to write? But he had been world-building Ea since he was 13. Who could ever possibly top that? He began his magnum opus when he was still a child - you cant fake that. Anyway, thank you for having us in your library with you. Your pipe is quite admirable. I look forward to hearing more about this topic. The asides you do to deliver more insight into the text is very interesting (i had thought the flash and boom beneath the minodluin was saurons explosives. And i was unaware of the Wessex chalk horses) All the best from London, Onatrio (the _real_ London)

[@ursusthewhite9824]

Hail Eaoringlas! Our pipe and cup of hot tea I raise in thanks for your continued insights. (I have several churchwardens. I enjoy the cool smoke they issue esp with English and Oriental blends. )

[@connorcraig518]

I just read through this part of the book again it was so nice to hear you talk about it! Thank you so much for these videos they’re so wonderful!

[@lmarie931]

The arrival of Théoden and the Rohirrim to Gondor is one of my favorite scenes in The Return of the King.

[@greyfeather7857]

As always listening to you reading brings me hope and joy thankful for you taking time to share this wonderful story with us 📖🙏🏻

[@paulcresswell2279]

Sir as a fellow pipe smoker and enjoyer of all things Tolkien your readings take me back to being read to as a child and the magical feelings I had as I entered into the magical worlds of hobbies wizards and dragons. Thank you.

[@drewprice8468]

One can hear the epic nature of Owen Barfield’s Poetic Vision in Tolkien’s language…as Mr. Barfield wrote-“the full meanings of words are flashing, iridescent shapes like flames - ever-flickering vestiges of the slowly evolving consciousness beneath them.”….vessels of meaning to elicit a felt change of consciousness…Bless them both and bless Malcolm for reading them to us.

[@HenryoShelton]

Thank you for a great video as always

[@macleodpr]

I enjoy the way these videos start with a tentative knock on the door, rather like the mother of a teenage boy not wanting a surprise as she brings in a cup of tea.

[@radicalcartoons2766]

One of the many passages of LOTR which brings tears to the eyes. I was brought the first paperback edition (with Tolkein's own cover illustrations) in 1968 for my 8th birthday.

[@VH19845]

Another lovely video. I'm sat at home in Wareham in Dorset so nice for it to get a mention ❤

[@bignickenergy2042]

This video was awesome, it really makes me feel like im there in the room listening to a great story. Cheers!

[@Ggg12236]

Smokin with Tolkien

[@Waybyways]

Fantastic and genuine reading!

[@creekandseminole]

Lol I imagine the sound that the door makes when it's pushed open is the sound of piles of books being moved on the floor

[@joesomers3949]

I love you. You are like my internet grandad.

[@shaungissing8953]

Amen brother!

[@samuelleask1132]

Without even clicking on this video I knew what passage it would be about 💙💙 my favourite passage in all of Tolkien canon, closely followed by Hurin’s defiance at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and Fingolfin challenging Morgoth

[@flappypaddles_]

I would absolutely love to see Malcolm on a KZbin Live on a dark, winter's night, reading a story to us all. I think I'd even sit cross-legged on the floor!

[@thetazman6]

Thank you for your brilliant insights

[@Esthlosian]

Not only is the verse in old Norse meter, it seems to echo Odin's words to Sigurd from Tolkien's own English reconstruction of The Lay of the Volsungs. V Regin 24: 'In the stud of Slepnir, steed of Odin, was sired this horse, swiftest, strongest. Ride now! ride now! rocks and mountains, horse and hero, hope of Odin!'

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks it’s wonderful to have that reference

[@mattrich680]

Fantastic! "Welcoming the morning!" This is the most moving and motivating passage of the entire epic. "Fell deeds awake! Fire and slaughter!... Ride now! Ride now! Ride to Gondor!" Was it inspired by Tolkien's experience in WWI? ""Come on, you sons of bitches-do you want to live forever?" (Attributed to Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Daly, USMC, Belleau Wood, June 1918.). An image of resurrection and the final triumph. Ride now!

[@studentstudent5044]

Lovely readings Sir!❤️

[@kenthpedersen3220]

Prescient. Thank you.

[@devonmohn4635]

Wonderful reading my friend, bless you my brother!

[@djskinny123]

Very excellent reading

[@adriansavastian8774]

Would be a pleasure to listen this Man! I feel this Man was take from the movie The Hobbit. Is kind of Dumbledore, very inspirational! Its amazing how He tell the story !

[@Bloombergizzle]

Thank you

[@PanSearedRibeye68]

A church warden smoking a church warden. 😊

[@BenjaminEmm]

I’ve recently found your channel and had a bit of a binge through ten or so of your videos. Truly fantastic. I myself am a huge “A Game of Thrones” fan. I would love to hear you read some of that and hear what you think. Really enjoying your videos, thanks!

[@Murph275]

We need a full read through of Tolkien from you Malcolm!

[@stonem83]

The KZbin algorithm sent me there because of my recent resurgence of interest in the Lord of the Rings. I’m glad to be here. I think I’ll stay here a bit.

[@frankstalone6495]

What a beautiful church warden.

[@oculii1]

“And what better way to die Then facing fearful odds, For the ashes of our fathers, And the temples of our gods.”

[@bardicacademic]

Stirring words, scop. Let us ride into battle, shields glinting in the sun against the withering dark.

[@oldandintheway1955]

I joined you in the epic mode, with a Condor filled Falcon and a cuppa. All is well.

[@brandrider1989]

What is a condor filled Falcon??

[@oldandintheway1955]

Condor is a British pipe tobacco. And a Falcon is a tobacco pipe with an aluminum shank and an interchangeable briar bowl. It was designed in the late 1930's in the US and manufactured here until 1966, when manufacturing moved to England. It was a favorite pipe of the English TV Presenter Jack Hargreaves.

[@AbecedariusRex]

Loved this. Thank you. Westhu hal.

[@timburks1598]

I could listen to you read from the phone book and be lost.

[@mytzyxptlyx]

We are all children born on a battlefield in a war for the soul of mankind. And we need heroes whether they be real or fictional to remind us to keep fighting. Tolkien was just such a hero in my mind.

[@seanrh4294]

I have the same exact pipe. Its my favorite. I used lighters in the past to light the pipe, but I have now rediscovered matches. I think it improves the taste but is a little bit more work, sometimes you have to light several.

[@airmanfair]

YT algorithm brought me, pipeweed and glorious accents made me linger, Tolkien made me stay.

[@Dumballa]

Please keep going, sir.