Episode 98: Lesser-trod Histories 14: The Peoples of Middle-earth

Join us this month for a look at the final book in the History of Middle-earth series, The History of Middle-earth volume 12, The Peoples of Middle-earth. We delve into Tolkien’s unfinished story, Tal-Elmar, discussing themes of colonization, racial stereotypes, and the good guy/bad guy dichotomy. We also reflect on our Lesser-trod Histories Series as it comes to a close.

Citations: 

Hoiem, Elizabeth Massa, World Creation as Colonization: British Imperialism in "Aldarion and Erendis". Tolkien Studies, Volume 2, 2005, pp. 75-92 (Article). Published by West Virginia University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/tks.2005.0020 

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Peoples of Middle-earth. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 12. HarperCollins, London, 1996. 

Tolkien Gateway article “Númenóreans”

https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/N%C3%BAmen%C3%B3reans (Accessed August 15, 2026)

Tolkien Gateway article “Tal-Elmar (chapter)

https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Tal-Elmar_(chapter) (Accessed August 15, 2026)

Tolkien Gateway article “The Peoples of Middle-earth” 

https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/The_Peoples_of_Middle-earth (Accessed August 15, 2026)

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