The War for Middle-earth

J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933-1945

De: Joseph Loconte

Narrado por: Greg Marston

For fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, discover the story behind their unique friendship forged in the darkness of World War II and how it inspired the stories of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity.

In a world devastated by the cataclysm of war, two extraordinary authors and friends, J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, delivered a bracing vision of the human story: a path back to goodness, beauty, and faith. How did they do it?

For the first time, historian Joseph Loconte explains how the catastrophe of World War II trans­formed the lives and literary imagination of Tolkien and Lewis. The mechanized slaughter of the First World War had created a storm of disillusionment with the political and religious ideals of Western civilization. The new ideologies of Modernism, communism, Nazism, and totalitarianism rushed to fill the vacuum. At stake was a contest between civilization and barbarism. Tolkien and Lewis sought each other out in friendship and threw themselves into the struggle.

The War for Middle-earth explores how their most beloved works—The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Chron­icles of Narnia, Mere Christianity—were conceived in the shadow of the most devastating and dehumanizing war in history. Like no other authors of their age, Tolkien and Lewis used their imagi­nation to reclaim for their generation—and for ours—those deeds of valor and virtue and love that have always kept a lamp burning, even in the deepest darkness.

In The War for Middle-earth you will:

• Be inspired by Tolkien's and Lewis's Christian imagination, which even today has the power to transform hearts desperate for hope and truth
• Find encouragement and strength to resist evil in our own day
• Discover how a biblical view of truth and beauty can light the path out of the deepest darkness

Combining a careful study of history and compelling storytelling, The War for Middle-earth reveals the remarkable achievement of these authors and friends: a recovery of heroism and faith despite deep sorrow and suffering. Here are enduring lessons for today's cultural moment and essential reading if you want to discover how great stories can reveal great truths.

Photos and the bibliography can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Absolutely wonderful

If you’re a fan of JRR Tolkien and a fan of CS Louis this is an absolute must read. Fascinating and yet at the same time, helpful in so many ways to understand their writings and the heart behind them.

Great book with a message

Loved learning the influence that the great wars had on two of the western canonical’s two great writers.

Weaving of History and Literature

Loconte did an exceptional job of describing the relationship between Lewis & Tolkien, and how they impacted each other’s lives and works. He did a great job explaining how they wove their experiences with war into their writings. I learned from and enjoyed this book as well as the previous book about WWI.

Great Historical Read

I had so many teary eyed moments reading about their friendship. The backdrop of world history and their shared war experience was moving and very interesting. So much of their struggle is relevant today and that's why their works have touched so many lives. They chose friendships, love and hope . So inspiring.

Everything I hope for and more

This book was educational, inspirational, and exceptionally written. I found myself sad that it ended. I heard an interview with the author on a podcast and his enthusiasm and passion for the subject led me to determine. I was going to listen to this book. I am grateful I did.

I appreciate the style of this book which provided historical context around the events and times CS Lewis and Tolken lived and developed into the faithful courageous individuals they became.

My appreciation for the Narnia series, and the Lord of the rings series has increased after reading this book. I didn’t think that was possible :-).