Stars and Swords: Footnoting Genre Fiction

This week, we begin our eleventh unit and our discussion of Jane Austen's 1811 novel Sense And Sensibility. How are Elinor and Marianne Dashwood compared and contrasted? How sharp is Austen's satire? What exactly makes a flannel waistcoat so unattractive?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Don't forget to check out my new Tolkien-related show, Shire Reckoning!Next week, we finish the first volume of Sense and Sensibility, live on YouTube on Thursday, August 14th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:Sense And SensibilitySense And Sensibility (The Norton Library)Sense And Sensibility (1995)'Leaving the Herd': How Queer Was Cowper? (Conrad Brunstrom)Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we conclude the our study of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion with the back half of On the Rings of Power and the Third Age. How bad is Isildur's failure? How does Tolkien integrate the material from The Hobbit? Does Sam deserve more attention?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Don't forget to check out my new Tolkien-related show, Shire Reckoning!Next week, we begin Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility, live on YouTube on Thursday, August 7th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.org To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we conclude the history of Númenor and the Second Age with some apocalyptically terminal punctuation, and then rewind to consider what's been happening in Middle-earth this whole time. Could Sauron have been redeemed? What are the powers of the Rings? Why is it called the Last Alliance?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Don't forget to check out my new Tolkien-related show, Shire Reckoning!Next week, the end of The Silmarillion and the feature story of the Third Age, live on YouTube on Thursday, July 31st at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, the history of Númenor and the Second Age in the penultimate part of The Silmarillion, Akallabêth. How do we understand the different influences which inspire this part of Tolkien's secondary creation? Why do the Men of Westernesse have such a hard time reconciling themselves to death? Are the words Atalantë and Avallónë really just coincidental?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Don't forget to check out my new Tolkien-related show, Shire Reckoning!Next week, the end of The Silmarillion and the feature story of the Third Age, live on YouTube on Thursday, July 24th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgShire ReckoningThere And Back Again 72: Well, I'm BackThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, the stories of Eärendil and the War of Wrath in Chapter XXIV of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How does Tolkien stick the landing in the story of Beleriand and First Age? How do we understand the consequences of the Oath of Fëanor and the Doom of the Noldor? Are there hints of a happy ending?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, the story of the Second Age and the Fall of Númenor in Akallabêth, live on YouTube on Thursday, July 3rd at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgPopulations of Middle Earth in the First Age - Part 1: The Elves To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, the last city falls but a new hope is born in Chapter XXIII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How is Tuor different from the other heroes of the age? Why is the story, as presented in this book, so brief? Does Maeglin get the fate he deserves?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, the end of the Quenta Silmarillion and the story of Eärendil in Chapter XXIV, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 26th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgAtlas Of Middle-Earth, Karen Wynn FonstadTo join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, things come undone in Chapters XXII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. What do we make of the final fate of Húrin? How does the influence of Morgoth differ from that of the Silmarils? Could anything have saved Beleriand?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we discuss Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin in Chapter XXIII of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 19th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgThe Children of HúrinTo join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we conclude the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapter XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Who do we blame for the tragedy of the Children of Húrin? Does Nienor end her life on her own terms? Why is Túrin counted among the Elf-Friends?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we approach the end of the First Age with Of The Ruin of Doriath, Chapter XXII of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 12th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgThe Children of Húrin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, the middle act of the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapter XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is this version of Glaurung so different? What is the mythic power of a sword re-forged? How many names can one man have?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we conclude our discussion of Túrin with Chapter XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 5th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgThe Children of Húrin ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, battle and bloodshed as we conclude the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and begin the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapters XX and XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does foresight get so sharp at the moment of death? Is Morwen very good at naming children, or very bad? What are the literary and mythic inspirations behind Tolkien's most depressing story?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we conclude our discussion of Túrin with Chapter XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 29th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgThe Children of HúrinThe Story of KullervoColor-Coded Item Quality in World of Warcraft ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we give up the promise of immortality as we reach the end of Chapter XIX and begin Chapter XX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does the Lay of Leithian end where it does? Why are the sons of Fëanor so unkillable? Have we finally solved the mystery of the deadly hallowing?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we conclude our discussion of the battle of Unnumbered Tears and continue to the story of Turin in Chapters XX and XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 22nd at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgPopulations of Middle Earth in the First Age - Part 1: The Elves ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, Beren and Lúthien reach the end of their story in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why do our heroes keep trying to disguise themselves? Where does Lúthien's sleep-magic come from? Is Huan the Hound an under-celebrated character?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lúthien and chapter XIX of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 15th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgCastle PanicMiddle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor Launch Trailer ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, love and tragedy in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is the tale of Beren and Lúthien such an important story? Are oaths always a bad thing? Why has no-one written a network TV sitcom about Thingol and Melian?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lúthien and chapter XIX of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 8th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.org ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we see the fall of Fingolfin and a new war in Beleriand in Chapter XVIII of the Quenta Silmarillion in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How do we understand Tolkien's perspective on race? How much direct intervention can we credit to Manwë? What is Maeglin's problem with Men?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we discuss the most important story in Tolkien's legendarium, Beren and Lúthien in chapter XIX of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 1st at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.orgDr. Dimitra FimiJoseph Fink (@planetoffinks.bsky.social‬)J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment (Michael D.C. Drout)Off Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, we establish Maeglin in Gondolin and the Men in the West as we move through the end of Chapter XVII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Does the Maeglin apple fall far from the Eöl tree? Why are the connections and distinctions between languages so important? What did the elves learn from the Valar when it comes to welcoming new arrivals?To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!Next week, we reach the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin in chapter XVIII of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Wednesday, April 24th at 9PM Central.Footnotes:The SilmarillionStars And Swords on YouTubeThe Silmarillion Unit Production ScheduleStars And Swords on Bookshop.org ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★