Years ago I decided that this was the one Drout lecture I wasn't interested in, because I don't really take Tolkien too seriously, although I think "The Hobbit" is great. It turns out that, as with many things, Tolkien's works can become interesting if you learn a bit more about them. So I'm glad I've listened to the lectures now and maybe I'll feel more appreciation for, e.g., "The Silmarillion" or the "The Lord of the Rings" if I listen to them in the future. ( )

A Modern Scholar course on audio about how Tolkien used and revitalized techniques and themes of medieval literature in his fiction. Interesting material, and Drout is great at presenting it. Recommended if this is your bag. ( )

This is going to be brief (as with most of my reviews, unfortunately), but I'll summarize by mentioning how happy I am that Drout put together these new lectures on Tolkien. It's very clear listening to him that he not only understands and loves Tolkien, but that he has carefully chosen a path of study (he is a professor of English and a philologist, like Tolkien, who specializes in Anglo-Saxon) that takes him down roads directly inspired by his early love for Tolkien. If you're a Tolkien fan, you should listen to these, if you enjoy audiobooks -- they are likely available from your local library. ( )