[Anotherpundit]

A few musings on Tolkien, the nature of power, the nature of rule, and a few possible relations between them.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Bump.

[Wordsmith]

bump for later

[beckett]

This morning on CBS movie critic John Leonard, a notorious liberal who literally bleeds directly from his heart and out through his mouth every time he says on anything at all, reviewed Lord of the Rings. I found it fascinating that he felt compelled to mention that Tolkien was a "monarchist" who feared "the mongrel hordes."

It was a perfect illustration of liberalism at work---an irrelevant cheap shot and a nasty, petty pretension to moral superiority.

[AUsome Joy]

Just bought a guide to the geography of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion called, Atlas of the Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad. I have used it to see how she portrays the regions and the different areas and buildings, etc. after I have read it. There is a lot of good information here for distances, time etc. The author is a noted cartographer. She also has marked the journeys of the characters day by day.

[sourcery]

Well said!

See also: Is fantasy just for kids?

[ecurbh]

ping

[shuckmaster]

Read the Books!

[HairOfTheDog]

Muse to your heart's content!!! Well said....

[Scarfo]

Well put essay, thank you. I might also add his description in the forward of the "Shire" government as being a Libertarian paradise. One that provided a form of government whose only duty was to defend the border. I haven't read the book in many years....and am now re-reading it with a more developed political eye..... Should be good fun at the movies!

[Kermit]

Stories have a power to influence over the centuries. Topical politics is fish wrap for tomorrow. Jesus Christ used stories (parables) to make his points.

[Anotherpundit]

I just felt like bumping this. Bump!

[Maelstrom]

Harry Potter was a gateway book to harder stuff...
I'm now reading The Hobbit to my 7-yr. old.