Topics discussed:

• A dearth of Tolkien-related news
• Tales before Tolkien - The Roots of Modern Fantasy - Classic stories that inspired the author of The Lord of the Rings by Douglas A. Anderson
• The Elves by Ludwig Tieck, Inspired Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle
• Harry Potter and the Emerald Key ;-)
• Even more off topic: A story by Michael Martinez, Fantasy Football leagues Insurance
• Confessions of a Part-time Sorceress by Seattelite & WotC writer Shelly Mazzanoble
• RPG Research Project & related studies on the therapeutic ans social impact of RPGs
• MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games)
• Pen and Paper RPGs (Role Playing Games)

Related links:

Tales Before Tolkien on Amazon www.amazon.com/Tales-Before-Tolkien-Modern-Fantasy/dp/0345458567

Confessions of a Part-time Sorceress on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Part-time-Sorceress-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/0786947268

Shelly Mazzanoble about her book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQNk5tvbSCg

Shelly Mazzanoble GenCon break update: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHzkDM4xHGo

CNN Fantasy Football Insurance: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/09/10/bizarre.fantasy.football.companies/index.html?iref=newssearch

The Settlers of Catan board game: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Settlers_of_Catan

The RPG Research Project Website: http://www.rpgresearch.com/

RPG Research Documents: http://www.rpgresearch.com/documentation/downloadable-documents

The History and Possible Therapeutic Aspects Of Role Playing Games Revision:20040930a (PDF)

The Battle Over Role Playing Gaming (and Therapeutic Aspects)

CAR-PGa (Committe for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games): http://www.car-pga.org/

Northwest MMORPG research project report link: http://www.cwu.edu/~jacksste/rpg/

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 Coming up on Middle-earth Talk Radio in episode 17:

• Swedish music group, Ad Dios, sent their 6th album and asked us to play their music
• The origin of the word "Tuesday"
• The Telegraph: J.R.R. Tolkien Trained as British Spy
• Etymology of the word "Hobbit": 1859-ish
• Discussion part 2: "Tales Before Tolkien" by Douglas A Anderson
• Tolkien's Smith of Wootton Major an intentional rewrite of The Golden Key by George MacDonald
• The Ring of Words book
• Michael's thoughts on Hobbits being modeled on badgers
• Possible homage by Tolkien to George MacDonald in Lord of the Rings (Moria fight)
• Tolkien's fondness for pipeweed