225. J.R.R. Tolkien

How did Italy enter the First World War alongside the Allies in 1915? What were they hoping to gain? And, why was their attempt to invade the Austro-Hungarian Empire one of the bloodiest campaigns of the entire war? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss Italy’s entrance into the W ...  Show more

How did Matilda, princess of England, become Empress of the Holy Roman Empire in 1110? What disbarred her from becoming queen of England after her father's death? And, why did she go to battle for the throne of England, in the brutal civil war known as The Anarchy? In this new me ...  Show more

J.R.R Tolkien is one of Britain’s most beloved authors, famous for creating the fantasy world ‘Middle Earth’ through his novels ‘The Hobbit’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. What started out as a bedtime story for his young children, now captivates millions of fans across the ...  Show more

How Oxford academic JRR Tolkien came up with The Hobbit, a story that charmed children for generations.Hear excerpts from the BBC's archive of interviews, including JRR Tolkien himself.(Image: JRR Tolkien in 1967. Credit: Associated Press) 

In this episode of Talking History, Patrick Geoghegan reflects on the life, times and legacy of The Lord of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien to mark the 50th anniversary of his death this weekend.He's joined by:John McQuillen. Associate Curator at The Morgan Library & Museum in Ne ...  Show more

Before there was Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, there was Richard Wagner’s The Ring of Nibelung. Infused with ancient Norse and Germanic myths, the composer’s epic opera cycle deals in power, corruption, and uncontrollable destruction. At its center is a ring forged from the en ...  Show more