Hey there, fellow travelers! I’ve got some exciting news: my new book Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age is finally here.
This has been years in the making. In fact, when I first started outlining it, Amazon’s Rings of Power series hadn’t even been announced. Now we’re two seasons in, and I think this book offers insights that are more timely than ever.
The full text is almost finished, but I’m still deciding on the best way to publish it. For now, I’m sharing it chapter by chapter over on my new Substack — that’s TolkienRoad.Substack.com. You can read the introduction and first chapter for free, and if you’d like to go deeper, you can get the rest with a Patreon or Substack membership.
What you’re about to hear is the introduction to Tolkien’s Tragedy. I can’t wait to share it with you, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
So, head over to TolkienRoad.Substack.com to follow along — and now, let’s dive in!


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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey concludes with Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age!
The last chapter of The Silmarillion is a synoptic account of the Second and Third Ages which focuses upon the legends of the Rings of Power, all the way through the events of the late Third Age depicted in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It's something like a 50,000 foot view of the whole mass of Middle-earth's history after the First Age, right on through the story of Frodo and the Fellowship.
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg29/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/
Enjoy!
OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/oajJtpC8_HA
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Akallabêth - the Downfall of Númenor!
“Akallabêth” is the synoptic account of Númenor in the Second Age of Middle-earth. This account spans almost 3500 years of history. It begins with the establishment of Númenor by Elros (brother of Elrond), and ends with the destruction of the island kingdom when its last king attempts to assail The Blessed Realm.
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg28/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/
Enjoy!
OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/JRqaGOaRkz0
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 24 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath!
In Chapter 24, the First Age comes to a cataclysmic end, as a hero undertakes a desperate journey to Valinor, and the powers of Aman gather for a transoceanic assault on the forces and strongholds of Morgoth!
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg27/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/
Enjoy!
OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/lgI8ldBpAYQ
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 23 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin.
With Doriath having fallen in Chapter 22, the remaining Elvish enclaves of Beleriand face increasing peril, and not even Gondolin can remain hidden from the forces of Morgoth forever!
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg26/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/
Enjoy!
OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/Ynw-JeVnhRk
Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/afv-0303-2025-ch-135020472
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 22 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Ruin of Doriath!
“Of the Ruin of Doriath” is not one of the longer chapters in The Silmarillion, but it is packed with hugely significant events as we rapidly approach the climactic catastrophes of the First Age! It all picks up after the death of Túrin and Nienor, Húrin’s children.
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg25/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Also, I've just launched a new Substack here: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/
Enjoy!
OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/a3kHJfQ1ucM
Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/afv-0302-2025-ch-134495956
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 21 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Túrin Turambar.
The tale of Túrin Turambar is a long one, rivaling “Of Beren and Lúthien” and “Akallabêth” as the longest chapter in The Silmarillion. It is also quite tragic, as we shall see. After giving a bit of background on Túrin’s ancestry, it picks up where the last chapter left off, with Túrin’s father Húrin imprisoned in Angband. The chapter then focuses in on Túrin’s life.

Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg24/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Enjoy!

OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/ekQQ69g6J8E
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 20 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad!After Beren and Lúthien’s excellent adventure, what could possibly come next? Only a great battle brimming with bloodshed and “Unnumbered Tears” of course! First though, Tolkien provides a brief epilogue for Beren and Lúthien, giving them a happy ending, though, in true Tolkienian fashion, leaving Melian with a “grief of loss” heavier than anyone has ever known.

Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg23/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Enjoy!

OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/0QaFHbuVxdQ
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 19 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of Beren and Lúthien.
In my view, “Of Beren and Lúthien” is the crown jewel of The Silmarillion. I love it so much I wrote a book about it. It was one of Tolkien’s favorites too, and it’s one of the longest chapters in The Silmarillion. It picks up where the last chapter left off, in the aftermath of the Battle of Sudden Flame.
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg22/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Enjoy!

OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/qFiDAJQws-I
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Our 2025 Silmarillion journey continues with Chapter 18 of Quenta Silmarillion - Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin.
In Chapter 18, Angband breaks loose upon Beleriand. What ensues is the The Battle of Sudden Flame and its terrible aftermath.
Silm Guide Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg21/
To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.
Enjoy!

OTHER LINKS:
Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/3RQYy0j4fT4
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Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/68251527
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