Athrabeth Jude Vais & Stef Midlock

Our Lesser-trod Histories series continues in episode 70 with a discussion of The Book of Lost Tales, Part 1, Chapter 2 “The Music of the Ainur”. We compare similarities and differences between the version of this story in The Book of Lost Tales and the final version that became the Ainulindalë in the Silmarillion. Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.

This month, Jude and Stef chat with Fornad, the founder and administrator of ArdaCraft - the biggest recreation of Middle-earth in Minecraft (and anywhere). Fornad tells us about how the project began from a love for Tolkien’s works, how it has developed and grown over the years, and he wows us with the incredible detail and love that has gone into the project. The work that Fornad and his volunteers have put into this world is mesmerizing, and it was a treat to chat with him.

“And so here we builded of good magic this Cottage of Lost Play: and here old tales, old songs, and elfin music are treasured and rehearsed.”
Lesser-trod Histories continues with the Cottage of Lost Play in the Book of Lost Tales, Part 1! Jude and Stef discuss the nascent legendarium and meet friends familiar and foreign in this second episode of our new series! Join us for big gongs, little ghosts, and gnarly gnomes!

This month Athrabeth is proud to announce a new, ongoing series: Lesser-trod Histories! We’ll be exploring the 12 volumes of The History of Middle-earth, picking topics and writings that we find intriguing or fun! Enjoy our first episode on Christopher Tolkien’s Foreward to The Book of Lost Tales: Part 1!

Join us this month for the long-awaited audio from the panel titled “Tolkien and New Media '' presented at the Tolkien Socieity’s Oxonmoot 50, on September 2, 2023.

Panelists include Marcel R. Bülles, Mercury Natis, S.R. Westvik, and Athrabeth’s own Jude Vais, with Stef Midlock as the moderator. Thank you to the panelists and the Tolkien Society for making this possible!

Stick around after the panel for Jude and Stef’s discussion of their experience attending Oxonmoot 50.

Join Jude and Stef in episode 65 for an in-depth interview with Tolkien scholar and author Thomas P. Hillman. Tom’s new book titled, “Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many” is being published on December 19, 2023, by Kent State University Press. Thank you to Tom for joining us for this lively discussion!