John Garth, an award-winning Tolkien biographer and author of 'Tolkien and the Great War,' shares insights into how World War I shaped J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary Middle-earth. He discusses Tolkien's early life and the profound impact of personal tragedy and friendship on his writing. Garth explores the pressures of enlistment and how the battlefield experiences influenced Tolkien's narratives. The conversation also highlights the contrast between Tolkien’s views on war and those of other contemporary writers, showcasing the deep psychological impacts of conflict on literature.