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Tom

@alas-not-me.bsky.social

1.2K followers 1.5K following 1.6K posts

Always heard a different drum. Happy to talk about Tolkien on podcasts. 'Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many.' Finalist for The Tolkien Society's Best Book Award 2024 @KentStateUPress

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Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · Nov 16

Now through the end of 2024 my book (as pictured below in the Rose Reading Room of the NYPL) is 30% off at the Kent State University Press website. Just enter the code ENJOY30 at checkout.

Full title is "Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many."

ISBN: 978-1-60635-471-1

photograph of my book, "Pity, Power, and Tolkien's Ring: To Rule the Fate of Many," at the main branch of the New York Public Library

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 7h

From now on Viktor Lazlo will be the founder of Antifa to me.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 10h

Asfaloth's bells are to the Witch-king as the alarm clock in the Crocodile is to Captain Hook.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 16h

I love to think of him chasing the black riders down the road bells a-ringing. He doesn't care if they know he's coming. He wants them to know he's coming.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 16h

As advertised then?

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 22h

If you're old enough, you may remember a photo of a South Vietnamese officer shooting a member of the Viet Cong in the head on a street in Saigon. It's a powerful, gruesome image.

But the moment I saw this photo from Chicago, the picture from Vietnam leaped into my mind.

photo of ICE agent pepper spraying a clergyman

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

I am very happy with it.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

Fear no danger to ensue,
Purcell tours as well as the Who

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

True. He says that the Valar occupy the mythological, but not the theological, place of gods. And like angels in that they are greater than elves and men, divine in that they existed before the world, but not as great as Eru.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

Yes, and still he is so far beyond them and they know it. It's like Bombadil is the Master. Eru is the father of all.

He is so far beyond them that they will not understand his purpose or design until they have blundered through the whole history of Arda, and get to sing it right at last.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

None of this appears before letter 131, because 131 is really the first time he has ever had to explain his legendarium to someone not named Jack or Christopher.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

It's really quite revealing how he speaks of them in the letters. The word god/s is almost always in quotes or qualified -- "gods, so to speak" -- and capitalized only in titles "the Gods of the West". But Eru and God are always in capitals. "Angel" is much the same.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

And I very much look forward to your announcement. This has been very much on my wishlist.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

Sweet. I searched on my kindle app and then scanned them to eliminate those that come from C. How does your index/search count instances where C quotes his father, since that would skew the numbers?

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 1d

In The Book of Lost Tales Tolkien uses the word god/s to describe the Valar over 300 times (not counting Christopher's uses).

Never once does he use it of Eru Iluvatar, although he is clearly who Tolkien would say is God.

He also never uses "angel" to explain the Valar, as he does in his letters.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 2d

So let it be written, so let it be done.

The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but your belief that a bookshelf with a rolling ladder will fix you is a valid one.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is not worthy of your friendship.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 3d

Watching the Obi-wan Kenobi series the other night, I reached the final duel between Obi-wan and Vader. Vader opens a deep hole into which Obi-wan falls. Vader then buries him beneath tons of rocks.

Here was the perfect chance for Vader to say "Who's got the high ground now, Obi-wan?"

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks for the shout out.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 4d

Your advisor, who's pretty darn good, won't let you crash and burn. She might let you smolder a little to see if you can sort it out yourself, but you are in good hands. And you're pretty smart yourself.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 4d

Stop trying to think yourself into a catastrophe.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 5d

Only way to go.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 5d

@jtauber.com is full of surprises.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 5d

Yeah, there is really no practical reason for them since we stopped setting type.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 6d

Another good show, Nick.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 6d

Top 20 tbr pile day 17/20, "The Death of Vergil" by Hermann Broch.

Cover photo of "The Death of Vergil" by Hermann Broch.

Tom @alas-not-me.bsky.social · 6d

Top 20 tbr pile day 16/20, "Lavinia" by Ursula K Le Guin, too long in the pile.

Top 20 tbr pile day 16/20, "Lavinia" by Ursula K Le Guin, too long in the pile.