Facts about books

A Journey Through The Lord of the Rings: 5 Interesting Tolkien Facts

Hobbit holes in hobbiton movie set reflecting in a small lake. Taken in New Zealand.
Hobbit holes in hobbiton movie set reflecting in a small lake. Taken in New Zealand.
Photo by depositphotos.com

There’s something timeless about the world J.R.R. Tolkien created—his vision of heroism, perseverance, and the ever-looming shadow of evil continues to resonate today. Modern life may feel worlds apart from the dusty roads of Middle-earth, yet echoes of our own struggles resound in Tolkien’s fictional conflicts. Perhaps this is because Tolkien himself lived through firsthand horrors: he was a soldier in World War I and witnessed the rise of dangerous ideologies. His experiences shaped not only the battles in The Lord of the Rings but also the vulnerability of men, who easily forget past sacrifices and are drawn to promises of power. Below are five lesser-known insights that cast new light on Tolkien’s legendary works.

  1. The Unfinished Sequel, “The New Shadow”
    Tolkien did, in fact, begin writing a sequel to The Lord of the Rings, titled The New Shadow. This story reveals how quickly Gondor’s elites turned their backs on the War of the Ring’s lessons. With evil presumed banished, its remnants were overlooked—especially since no elves remained to recall the past. Morgoth, Sauron’s dark mentor, had once spread the seeds of corruption, and in this half-started tale, those seeds resurface as men fall prey to their own lust for power. Gondor’s complacency reflects Tolkien’s broader commentary on humanity’s tendency to forget hard-won truths and underestimate lurking dangers.
  2. War and the Forge of Mordor
    J.R.R. Tolkien served as a Lieutenant in World War I, enduring the brutal Battle of the Somme. Trenches overrun with lice and disease shaped his worldview, later seeping into his descriptions of Mordor. He was invalided back to England in November 1916 due to trench fever—a stroke of fortune that saved him when many of his friends perished. It’s little wonder the desolate landscapes and haunting atmosphere of Mordor bear the marks of the Somme’s grim reality.
  3. Hobbit Names, Translated
    In Tolkien’s fictional framework, The Lord of the Rings is a translation from Westron into modern English. This means our beloved characters actually have different “original” names:

    • Frodo Baggins = Maura Labingi
    • Samwise “Sam” Gamgee = Banazîr “Ban” Galpsi
    • Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck = Kalimac “Kali” Brandagamba
    • Peregrin “Pippin” Took = Razanur “Razar” Tûk
      Tolkien delighted in the linguistic tapestry of Middle-earth. By highlighting these hidden names, he invites readers to appreciate just how alive his world truly is.
  4. Standing Up to Nazism
    In 1938, when the Nazis insisted Tolkien prove his “Aryan” heritage before they would publish The Hobbit in Germany, he refused to comply. Instead, Tolkien wrote that he disavowed any “race doctrine,” expressing regret only that he had no Jewish ancestors from such a “gifted people.” His curt response also predicted a grim future if literature were to be policed by such inquiries. This moral stance underscores Tolkien’s deep-rooted aversion to authoritarianism, a sentiment woven into the very fabric of his stories.
  5. Christopher Lee’s Unique Perspective
    Among the film cast of The Lord of the Rings, Christopher Lee (Saruman) alone had met Tolkien in person—and he reread the trilogy every year of his life. His vast knowledge of Middle-earth made him an on-set consultant. A World War II veteran, Lee also famously corrected Peter Jackson on how a backstabbing victim should sound: not an anguished scream, but a gasp of air violently expelled from the lungs. It’s a chilling detail that shows the series was guided by individuals who knew first-hand the dark realities of war.

If you found these five snapshots of Tolkien’s epic world intriguing, you might enjoy diving deeper. Head over to our website for another article—“Tolkien Tales: 7 Lesser-Known Stories about the Mastermind of Middle-earth”—to uncover even more hidden gems from the grand lore of Middle-earth. After all, there’s always more magic waiting just beyond the next page.

4 Interesting Facts About Famous Books

Old books on wooden planks with blur shimmer background
Photo by depositphotos.com

Usually, when you spend an evening reading a particular book, you don’t think about the story behind its creation or its influence on those around it. And yet, behind every worthy work, there’s an equally interesting story or mystery.

1. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket”

In Edgar Allan Poe’s 1838 novel “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket,” there is an episode where a ship is wrecked during a storm, and only four people survive on a lifeboat. To avoid dying of hunger, they decide to eat one of their own — a man named Richard Parker. In 1884, a real-life incident took place when the yacht Mignonette sank, and four survivors were stranded in a lifeboat. To survive, three of them killed and ate the cabin boy, whose name was also Richard Parker.

Fact Check: This remarkable coincidence between Poe’s fictional character and the real-life case of Richard Parker is well-documented. Edgar Allan Poe’s novel was published in 1838, and the real incident involved the shipwreck of the Mignonette in 1884, where indeed a cabin boy named Richard Parker was killed and eaten by the others to survive.

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2. J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”

In 1995, J.K. Rowling finished working on her book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” Her literary agent sent the manuscript to 12 publishers without success. A year later, an editor at a small publishing house called Bloomsbury agreed to publish “Harry Potter,” though he did not expect it to be successful. He even advised the author to find a regular job, as he believed she wouldn’t make money writing children’s books.

Fact Check: J.K. Rowling’s manuscript for “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was famously rejected by numerous publishers—it’s widely reported that there were around 12 rejections before Bloomsbury accepted the manuscript. After being accepted, Rowling did receive a note advising her not to quit her day job. This story has been confirmed by various sources.

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3. Agatha Christie’s “The Pale Horse”

Agatha Christie’s novel “The Pale Horse” once helped save a person’s life because it describes the effects of the poison thallium. In 1977, a patient in a London hospital had an unknown illness. A nurse who had read the detective novel recognized the symptoms of thallium poisoning from the book. Thanks to this realization, the patient received the correct treatment in time and was saved.

Fact Check: The story of Agatha Christie’s novel “The Pale Horse” helping diagnose and save a patient’s life is true. In the 1970s, several reported cases showed how Christie’s detailed descriptions of poison symptoms helped medical professionals diagnose thallium poisoning. Specifically, in 1977, nurse Marsha Maitland recognized the patient’s symptoms from Christie’s novel.

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4. Ian Fleming’s “James Bond”

When Ian Fleming conceived his novel about the super-spy, he struggled to find a suitable name for the character. One day, a book on ornithology by James Bond fell into his hands. Upon reading this simple and short name, Fleming realized instantly how to name his hero. Interestingly, in the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” the main character infiltrates Cuba under the guise of an ornithologist. He is seen holding the actual book by the real ornithologist James Bond.

Fact Check: Ian Fleming indeed took the name “James Bond” from an American ornithologist whose book “Birds of the West Indies” he owned. Fleming wanted a simple, unremarkable name for his fictional spy. The cameo with the book “Birds of the West Indies” in the 2002 film “Die Another Day” is also correct: Bond is seen reading a book by the real James Bond as a playful nod to the name’s origin.

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Tolkien Tales: 7 Lesser-Known Stories about the Mastermind of Middle-earth

The creator of Middle-earth, J.R.R. Tolkien, wasn’t just a master weaver of tales; he was also a man of great depth and integrity. His life, filled with unique anecdotes and profound choices, is as engaging as his novels.

Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, New Zealand - Front door of the hole, Hobbit house
Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, New Zealand – Front door of the hole, Hobbit house
Photo by depositphotos.com

Here’s a peek into seven lesser-known moments from Tolkien’s life.

1. A Brave Response to Dark Times: When the Nazis hinted at releasing “The Hobbit” in German, they asked Tolkien to verify his Aryan background. Tolkien’s reply was both insightful and defiant. He enlightened them about the Aryan origins and poignantly expressed his wish that he had roots in the Jewish community, effectively shutting down any racial biases.
“I am not of Aryan extraction: that is Indo-Iranian; as far as I am aware none of my ancestors spoke Hindustani, Persian, Gypsy, or any related dialects. But if I am to understand that you are enquiring whether I am of Jewish origin, I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people.”

2. A Unique Ashtray: Tolkien received an ornate goblet from an admirer, etched with the iconic “One Ring to Rule Them All…” in the black speech. Valuing the authenticity of the language, Tolkien decided against using it for drinking. Instead, it found its place as a holder for ash.

3. Birth of a Classic: While marking student papers, a blank page caught Tolkien’s eye. It was on this empty sheet that he penned the simple yet evocative line: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit,” giving birth to a beloved narrative.

4. Missed Accolade: Tolkien’s literary brilliance wasn’t always universally acknowledged. In 1961, the Nobel Committee overlooked him for the Literature prize, citing concerns about his storytelling techniques.

5. Echoes from the Battlefront: Tolkien’s tenure as a Lieutenant during World War I, especially his time in The Battle of the Somme, had a deep impact. Many believe the harrowing sights of warfare influenced his portrayal of the desolate lands of Mordor.

6. The Beatles’ Dream: Imagine a world where The Beatles adapted “The Lord of the Rings” for the big screen! They even thought of roles – Lennon as Gollum and McCartney as Frodo. However, Tolkien didn’t share this dream and declined their request for rights.

7. Journey Beyond Middle-earth: Tolkien’s creative pursuits weren’t limited to hobbits and elves. He once began drafting a story, “The Lost Road,” weaving time-travel elements that aimed to connect Middle-earth to modern days.