J.R.R. Tolkien | Optimism (Republish)

J.R.R. Tolkien | Optimism (Republish)

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode and discussion on J.R.R. Tolkien originally aired on October 10, 2022.

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Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing career with a children’s book, and when his publisher asked for a sequel, Tolkien had to give it some thought. For much of his life, he had lamented the fact that much of English mythology had been destroyed by invading armies or imported from abroad. (For example, the most famous English myth, that of King Arthur, was a blend of Scottish and French stories.) On putting pen to paper for the first time on his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began to craft an alternate mythology for his homeland that would tell heroic tales that, he believed, were lacking in modern Britain.

Join us as we teach you about heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life.

Avsnitt(449)

America's Utopian Mores (Repost)

America's Utopian Mores (Repost)

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In this last episode of 2025, Jon takes us on a journey through time and space to learn the stories of several beloved Christmas carols. We hope you enjoy them, and we look forward to seeing you in Ja...

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Pop Quiz | A (Very Incomplete) History Reading List

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"Based on a true story." "Inspired by actual events." "The following actually happened."These five words might be Hollywood's greatest magic trick, transforming entertainment into education, fiction i...

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Pop Quiz | "15-Minute Rage-Bait"

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Why do dumb ideas keep popping up like weeds? Why do people embrace them despite mountains of evidence they don't work and huge piles of bodies left in their wake? Are they true believers or just grif...

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The War of 1812 | A Discussion - Myths, Realities, and Ideals

The War of 1812 | A Discussion - Myths, Realities, and Ideals

"Don't give up the ship." "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Old Hickory." The Battle of New Orleans.The War of 1812 gave us some of America's most enduring symbols and phrases. But did it actually change a...

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Sketches in History | Don't Give Up the Ship (Part 2)

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The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she di...

4 Dec 20258min

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