There’s a new Sidetrails Podcast up on the Patreon page — in which I ponder why the lore of created worlds like Middle Earth or Westeros is so compelling to so many, while actual history doesn’t seem to have nearly the same kind of popular culture throw-weight.
You have to be a patron to access it.
Support through Patreon helps pay the bills (site hosting, research materials and the like). The page also hosts some patron-only content, like the Sidetrails podcasts. Patrons also get a shot at some plunder (usually favorite research books). When I wrap the Once Upon A Time in Los Angeles podcast series, I’ll give away a copy of John Mack Faragher’s Eternity Street: Violence and Justice in Frontier Los Angeles. As you’ve probably figured out, there’s nothing I like better than sharing a good book.
For the record, Lady Marilyn and I have given the East India Co. Amazon Prime Rings of Power a hard pass. Friends who are not caught up in any culture war angle on this tell me it is astoundingly mediocre. We are, on the other hand, quite enjoying House of the Dragon.
John Maddox Roberts says
The advantage of fantasy worlds is that nobody in the real world has skin in the game. None of your ancestors were Harfoots or Lannisters. On the other hand If you are of Irish or Scottish descent you may have preconceived notions about the treacherous English. If you’re Russian you may have an ancestral grudge against the Germans. Everyone in the world has strong feelings about America, often non-complimentary. But the woes of the Seven Kingdoms or of Middle-Earth are pure abstractions and anyone can enjoy the lore of those worlds without getting into barroom fistfights over them.
JimC says
There’s something to this — you get the perks of exploring and enjoying arcane knowledge without the baggage.
Joe says
As John Maddox Roberts said, I think there is definitely a “blank canvas” appeal to a detailed fantasy world. In the case of Tolkien, I know it inspired me to research both his own life (his exploits in WW1), and his various historical and mythological inspirations. I’m glad we have Hollywood interested in certain “two worlds” historical properties like Outlander and alt-history like the Man in the High Castle but would love to see more straight historic fiction series like Deadwood, Rome, and Vikings as well.