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In this episode (a replay of an episode from 2024) we discuss that renowned Tolkien scholars Christian Scull and Wayne Hammond published a new book with NEW content by Tolkien–The Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien. I take a look at their announcement, highlighting some of the details they mentioned.

I also take a bit of time to discuss therevised and expanded version of Tolkien’s letters.

In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://theonering.com/members), we get into:

• An old Tolkien commentary published in 1969!
• Why I have a couple of “Middle-earth for Dummies”!
• Why the Tolkien Estate threatened us legally in 2005!

🔗 Episode Links
Get the Exploring Tolkien App!
The Children of Húrin
The Story of Kullervo
The Silmarillion
Unfinished Tales

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify
Get the Exploring Tolkien App
Get the Extended Podcast

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion
The Children of Húrin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives!

This week, we look at the second half of The Children of Húrin Chapter 6 and discuss the manifestation of Morgoth’s curse. We discuss Morgoth’s shadow… this “mist” that operates curiously like the One Ring, weaponizing Túrin’s pride against him right when he has the chance to accept grace and redemption. We also look at:

• Why Beleg is the only messenger to keep searching for Túrin when all others gave up, and the true power of his friendship.
• The moment Túrin realizes his own pride and shortcomings… and does nothing about it.
• The points where Tolkien reveals Morgoth’s shadow taking over Túrin right when he is about to repent.
• How Túrin’s own pride creates the open wound that Morgoth’s curse infects and manipulates.

In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://theonering.com/members), we get into:

• The Rings of Power rumor that Sauron needs a Balrog to forge the One Ring completely misunderstands Tolkien’s lore and the true nature of Balrogs.

🔗 Episode Links
Get the Exploring Tolkien App!
The Children of Húrin
The Story of Kullervo
The Silmarillion
Unfinished Tales

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify
Get the Exploring Tolkien App
Get the Extended Podcast

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion
The Children of Húrin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives!

Túrin Turambar has officially abandoned the protection of Doriath, choosing instead to live as an outlaw among murderers and cutthroats. In our breakdown of the first part of Chapter 6 of The Children of Húrin, we explore Túrin’s tragic descent into darkness, his absolute refusal to live under anyone else’s law, and how a deadly “accident” turns him into the captain of the Wolf-Men.

We also look at:

• How Túrin’s slaying of Forwëg perfectly mirrors the tragedy of Saeros in Doriath. Ú
• The fascinating real-world Anglo-Saxon history behind Tolkien’s “Wolf-Heads.”
• The exact moment in the lore where Tolkien paused writing The Silmarillion to start The Lord of the Rings.
• Túrin’s Toll & Titles: Adding new names and fresh victims to our running tally!
• Plus, a quick “look” of the Rings of Power DVD release and great news about J.R.R. Tolkien’s favorite pub reopening.

In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://theonering.com/members), we get into:

• Is Túrin good? We debate his morality and choices

🔗 Episode Links
Get the Exploring Tolkien App!
The Children of Húrin
The Story of Kullervo
The Silmarillion
Unfinished Tales

🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast
Subscribe on Apple
Subscribe on Spotify
Get the Exploring Tolkien App
Get the Extended Podcast

🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion
The Children of Húrin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat