This book was such a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the craziness of the world today. This story was written to show the friendship between two of the greatest writers in our history of fantasy fiction Tolkien and Lewis. WW2 was tragic and devastating, it took place in Europe but shook the world. Tolkien and Lewis wrote their novels from biblical perspectives to give hope when there didn’t seem to be any left. Chronicles of Narnia, The hobbit, The lord of the rings were written to bring hope so that people could read and gain hope for the future. This book is a treasure trove of their strong friendship. I loved reading this and highly recommended reading it as it resonates with the world we live in today, thank you NetGalley for this wonderful ARC

This superb nonfiction will impress history buffs, hobbit fans, and followers of Aslan. It is well-written and well-researched, exploring how cultural movements and historical events (including but not limited to WWI and WWII) influenced the writing of Tolkien and Lewis. The Inklings, in turn, influenced culture and made history. I found the book both informative and inspiring. I loved it! This is a must-read.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions.

This review will be posted to Amazon, Instagram, and Goodreads within one week of the book’s publication.

Arc received through NetGalley.

A really interesting book about a friendship that changed the world. I really liked learning about this time in history through the eyes of Lewis and Tolkien. I fo wish that we had gotten a bit more about Narnia, it was more Tolkien-focussed. This got me interested in learning more about this friendship.

For C.S. Lewis and Tolkien both fought in the First World War, and Tolkien used Medieval poems such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as a basis for some of his well - known stories, such as Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.

C.S. used the Aenid to describe the supreme importance of fortitude and courage in the fog of war, especially as WWII was on the horizon, he did not agree with the pacifist viewpoint which was in vogue during the 1930's.

Tolkien applied at Oxford University to teach Philology - to strengthen the link between English literature and ancient and Medieval languages. Again, this helped immensely in his creating and writing languages for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.

Tolkien and shared with Lewis his ideas on Morgoth and Sauron and the land of the Elves and their lineage with men.

You will enjoy Tolkien and Lewis' discussions about things that lead to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia, along with their many other works.

I loved this deep dive into how serving in World War I, and then the events leading up to, and during, World War II affected Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. How they wrote, and what they wrote, and how current events seeped into their most famous works of literature. I also enjoyed learning more about their friendship: how it started and grew. Every fan of Tolkien and/or Lewis should read this book!

I really enjoyed hearing the history of not only the time period when books like Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia were being written, but also the friendships and growth that these and other authors had during the hard times leading up to and during World War II. I also found it intriguing to hear about other authors and books that influenced the persona and writing of these books.
Before reading this, I didn't know that this same author had written another book about Tolkien and Lewis during the time of World War I. Since I learned a lot from this book, I am interested in reading the other one as well.
Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys these well-known classics, history and World War II.

Joseph Loconte's "The War for Middle-earth" is an engaging exploration of the moral complexities and philosophical themes that underpin J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga. Loconte's deep dive into the narratives of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" brings fresh insights into how Tolkien's experiences during World War I and his Christian faith influenced his writings.

The book is well-researched and beautifully written, effectively connecting the rich landscapes of Middle-earth with real-world issues of good versus evil, power, and sacrifice. I appreciated how Loconte adeptly weaves literary analysis with historical context, making it accessible not only for Tolkien aficionados but also for those seeking to understand the greater implications of these beloved tales.

However, at times, the narrative felt a bit dense and academic, which may not appeal to all readers. There are moments where the analysis could benefit from a lighter touch, as it occasionally slows down the overall pace of the book.

Overall, "The War for Middle-earth" is a fascinating read that encourages reflection on the enduring relevance of Tolkien's work. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of literature, history, and moral philosophy. Highly recommended!

Whew, lots of history and info in this one. Took me a while to read, as I kept trying to pull up more information about the times and people as I went through it. Incredible read. It makes me want to read through so many of both of their writings and the writings that inspired them. Also saddened by how much history and thoughts sadly repeat themselves.

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy.

This was a wonderful book about an amazing friendship (a fellowship, if you will) between two men determined not to let the way the culture was moving in post-WWI Europe be the end. The author emphasized how much the world owes to this friendship; not least of which is Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia.
Definitely recommend!

For fans of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, this well-researched book explores the impact of the wars and politics of the years 1914-1945 on their writings. It also delves into the other people who had a major influence on them, as well as the context of society at the time. There are anecdotes, names of authors and books that I now want to read, and history. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A standout read and seminal work on Lewis and Tolkien between the wars and during WWII.

No need to have read _A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War_ first, but of course one gets a lot from reading both!

Loconte proves he is an adept scholar on the topic, and is obviously passionate about it. He writes engagingly, and the material is dense but never too academic or over the top. I also love just how extensively footnoted it is; each chapter tops out at over a hundred references apiece.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The War for Middle-earth by Joseph Loconte – Wonderful, Fascinating, Inspiring, and Insightful

As someone who loves reading about WWII history, I was excited to read Joseph Loconte’s new book The War for Middle-earth: J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933-1945. This book shows impact of The Great War, on two men who fought in WWI, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. Great writers whose works have touched generations. How the devastation they witnessed and experienced transformed how they viewed the world.

Their friendship with one another, and other like-minded men, helped anchor their Christian faith. These men appreciated English literature and saw the value of myths and legends and how they impact cultures. Together they were able to explore ideas, understand moral values rooted in truth, the knowledge of good and evil, and the importance of bravery in the face of impossible odds.

While they were in Oxford England during WWII, their writings and lectures helped to battle the cultural moral decay that led to racism, anti-Semitism, eugenics, totalitarianism, and communism.
I loved reading The War for Middle-earth and learning about what impacted and influenced Tolkien and Lewis and how it resulted in their timeless writings that impacted their generation and beyond. Eighty years later, people are still being touch and inspired by their novels.

After reading The War for Middle-earth by Joseph Loconte, I am looking forward to going back and rereading Tolkien and Lewis’ books, including The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia. Reading the books will be even richer having learned what influenced these men and drove them write and create worlds from their imagination.

The War for Middle-earth by Joseph Loconte is a wonderful, fascinating, insightful, and inspiring book about J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Well researched and well written.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The War for Middle-earth by Joseph Loconte. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

I am not yet finished with the book, however, I would like to rave about how much I am enjoying this. Joseph Loconte has done a beautiful job melding Tolkien and Lewis' lives while also including those who knew them. No stone is left unturned in this thorough study of these two authors and the world they lived in during WWI to WWII. As a fellow historian, 10 out of 10 can recommend for those who have an interest in the inter-war period and any interest in both authors works.