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 was a interesting concept for a nonfiction book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed how this was able to show what J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis were used during the 1933-1945 war. Joseph Loconte was able to use their historical element perfectly and enjoyed getting into this historical nonfiction book.

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!