"The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"

[bropous]

First, let me ask whether this is the proper spot for points relating to "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien", and if not, O Site Gods, please go ahead and move this to wherever you feel appropriate. May I suggest a new "Master Topic", "J.R.R. Tolkien The Man"?

I have been reading "Letters", and am absolutely fascinated. Not only by observing how his writings came into being, but by the insights into how the man thought.

I would love a spot to discuss his ideas on things like War in genreal, his views on Hitler, and even his take on "football," "sportsmanship," or marriage and the sexes. He says some deeply relevant things in the Letters, and I would love to discuss some of these issues with fellow Mooters and see their views on them.

I was really taken on how he stood up, in 1938, to the idiots at the publishers in Germany who wanted him to basically give evidence of his "ethnic purity" in order to publish "The Hobbit" in German. His response, in part, states:

"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 have no ancestors of that gifted people [emphasis added].

This is such an incredibly beautiful thing for the Master to say, and I would have loved to have seen the faces of the Nazi Party faithful upon reading these brave words, and moreso, had that paperhanger Hitler himself been shown the Master's derision for his blatant pig-ignorant stupidity.

Tolkien makes some more wonderful comments about Hitler and his type, including, "We knew Hitler was a vulgar and ignorant little cad...". I'd love to discuss some of these comments in further detail with my fellow Mooters, if you folks are of a mood...