Middle-earth Minutes #7: Secret agent 007 (19.11.09 by Pieter Collier) - Comments

It took another few months, and a very long night of work, but we have finally managed to create another episode of the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast. Good thing is that we actually managed to record some other news as well, so you can expect a new episode real soon!

This episode covers the news and events from the last couple of months, where Michael Kaiser and Pieter Collier (that's me) bring you up to date on specific items of interest to any fan of Tolkien.

Of course I'll be announcing all new podcasts at this website as well. Please leave your comments about the podcast at the bottom of this page and if you wish first read the show notes below.
Middle-earth minutes


J.R.R. Tolkien trained as a British spy:

On Sept. 16, 2009, the Telegraph reported that "Novelist JRR Tolkien secretly trained as a Government spy in the run up to the Second World War, new documents have disclosed" (emphasis added). Pieter shows how this story isn't news by citing sources such as The J.R.R.Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology AND Reader's Guide , as well as other Tolkien scholars.

Title: The J.R.R.Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology AND Reader's Guide
By: Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond

Pages: 1999 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Publication date: 2 Nov 2006

Language: English

ISBN-10:
0007169728
ISBN-13: 978-0007169726


MGM: The Lion, The Ditch, and The Hobbit:

The studio with the most recognizable logo in movie history continues to make news. MTV Movies Blog reported on Sept. 25, 2009 that "things are looking bleak", and that the studio needs a total of $170 million to finish out the year and to "fund high-profile projects like The Hobbit". THR.com reported on Oct. 1, 2009 that MGM has "secured enough support from key lenders to allow the studio enough cash to proceed with its participation in The Hobbit." And Variety.com has reported on Nov. 11, 2009 that, according to several sources, MGM "will essentially be auctioned off within the next few weeks."

We discuss all these things, as well as the great news coming out about the progress regarding the script, casting rumors, and more including:

According to SciFi Wire.com, "Gandalf" has read the script, and Comic Book Movie.com asks "Could we being seeing Brian Cox as a Dwarf in The Hobbit?"

Music

This episode features the song "The Grey Havens" by New York band Fathom.


New Segment: Browsing the Tolkien Library


Each episode Pieter will step out of the Tolkien Library with a prized book, or news of upcoming releases, to share with us. This time we discuss his article about The Book of Jonah, which is to become available in February, 2010. Talk centers around tolkien's work as editor of The Jerusalem Bible, his translation, and possible as-of-yet unsubstantiated participation in translating other books of the Old Testament.

Title: The Book of Jonah
By: J.R.R. Tolkien

Pages: 104 pages
Publisher: Darton,Longman & Todd Ltd
Publication date: 17 Feb 2010

Language: English

ISBN-10:
0232527679
ISBN-13: 978-0232527674


Did C.S. Lewis and Tolkien plan to write together?

C.S.Lewis.com conducted an interview with Dr. Steven Beebe about the forthcoming publication about his discovery of a "previously undiscovered fragment" of a manuscript in the Oxford library. A manuscript which he believes is the much-sought-after beginnings of a collaboration between Lewis and Tolkien.

Title: The Annotated Hobbit
By: Douglas Anderson

Pages: 512 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Publication date: New edition edition (7 April 2003)

Language: English

ISBN-10:
0007137273
ISBN-13: 978-0007137275



Festivals

We reported last episode about the Festival In The Shire. Now we have more news; and it is shaping up to be the pinnacle of Tolkien festivals! Pieter fills in some of the particulars on this episode, and we know that you will be anxious to attend this event.

Also, the Edge of the Wild annual Middle-earth Art Exhibition, now into its 7th year, is scheduled for March 26-29, 2009 according to the Facebook Page.


Miscellaneous:

Of course you'll also want to bookmark the Tolkien Library at tolkienlibrary.com
Follow the Tolkien Library on Twitter at: @TolkienLibrary.


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