Indeed. Im trying to write something at the moment so on how hobbits are a great analogy of our response to God, using the conversation Bilbo has with Gandalf as the beginning of the Hobbit of as the main focus
"Something remarkable happens to Pip in his proximity to great men like Faramir and Aragorn. He discovers a gallant streak in his own heart, and soon enough this onetime goofball is making humble but real contributions to the fight to save Middle-earth. Along the way he literally grows taller and stronger. Tolkien hopes something similar for his readers."
What a great paragraph! Thank you for the work you do. I'm sorry I'm not a paid subscriber. At the moment I can't afford to support great writers like yourself the way I'd like to, but I wanted to acknowledge that your work is fantastic and I appreciate your words.
Thoughts on Ivanhoe?
Love it, for the most part, though it has some strange turns. It will certainly be on an upcoming list.
I just finished rereading the Lord of the Rings trilogy and have read God's Battalions. Will plan to start on the others soon.
I’ve just started LOTR again, such great stuff. Merry and Pippin have just been eaten by trees
Worth rereading again and again
Indeed. Im trying to write something at the moment so on how hobbits are a great analogy of our response to God, using the conversation Bilbo has with Gandalf as the beginning of the Hobbit of as the main focus
"Something remarkable happens to Pip in his proximity to great men like Faramir and Aragorn. He discovers a gallant streak in his own heart, and soon enough this onetime goofball is making humble but real contributions to the fight to save Middle-earth. Along the way he literally grows taller and stronger. Tolkien hopes something similar for his readers."
What a great paragraph! Thank you for the work you do. I'm sorry I'm not a paid subscriber. At the moment I can't afford to support great writers like yourself the way I'd like to, but I wanted to acknowledge that your work is fantastic and I appreciate your words.
God Bless
Thank you kindly, Brian 🙏🏼
Very nice essay. I also really enjoyed your piece on Scanderbeg.
Here is a great old epic tale I came across that you might be interested in:
Harken, my lords, to my tale!
It is merrier than the nightingale,
That I shall sing;
Of a knight, I will speak to you,
With no lie: Bevis was his name, of Hampton.
https://reflection.eleusinianm.co.uk/medieval-literature/white-book-of-mottistone/sir-bevis-of-hampton
Thank you for the kind word and thank you for the rec.
Bookmarked!
Excellent recommendations. I would like to add if you have not read Harold Lamb’s book Crusades of Iron Men and Saints I highly recommend it.
Shall have to investigate, ty!
You inspired me to give it a review.
https://open.substack.com/pub/christendombyfelixmark/p/book-review?r=1dej6m&utm_medium=ios
Nice!
https://scholarstudy.substack.com/p/creating-a-personal-sanctum-the-anatomy?r=28woco
Good selection! May I recommend to you Sword in the Stone (T. H. White) and Beau Geste (P.C. Wren)?
All I have left to read are Return of the King, Charny, and Defenders. Starting Charny now, love it so far!
Fantastic list, man!
Question
Which would you recommend reading first:
Sword and Scimitar & Defenders of the West or God’s Battalions?
Thank you for including Rodney Stark. One of the most important historians of the last 50 years!
"A sensitive young man deprived of this vision of manliness—and given something fake in its place, or nothing at all—has been spiritually robbed."
Best line I've read all year.
Correction: *Part I* doesn't include The Rooster Rider