“Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread
through shadows to the edge of night,
until the stars are all alight.”

Influenced by themes from old English Literature and the Arts and Crafts Movement, and evolving to complex narratives involving the struggle between good and evil, friendship, death, fate, free will, the danger of power, and the beauty of redemption, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings continue to endure as inspiring and timeless epics. With engaging language, grounded descriptions of the relationship between people and places, arresting archetypes, and suggestions of providence, J. R. R. Tolkien has created these wonderful books that pull the reader into a foreign yet familiar world… a place essentially our own.

We invite you first to join us for The Hobbit. Published in 1937 to wide acclaim, we will begin our long journey of trial and adventure where it must start… with Bilbo Baggins of Bag End. Soon, further dates and pricing will be announced for The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. The online group will be limited to fourteen participants, and we expect a great deal of laughter, camaraderie, wonder, suspense, and inspiration. Sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings, 5:30-7:00PM Pacific Time. The seminar facilitator will be Andy Gilman. This five-week series is $225. Community of Lifelong Learners subscribers receive a discount of $25 through a refund.