← Back to the front page
Warfare History

Lost Generation: 15 Ways J.R.R. Tolkien’s Novels Reveal The Tragedy of WWI

Darren April 22, 2026 8 min

14. Critique of Leadership and Authority

14. Critique of Leadership and Authority
Tolkien’s characters embody the perils of unchecked power and the need for wise leadership.

Tolkien subtly critiques reckless leaders like Denethor and Saruman, reflecting wartime frustration with military and political command. These characters’ failures highlight the dangers of absolute power and the importance of wisdom and humility in leadership. For a deeper analysis of Tolkien’s exploration of power and its perils, refer to the article “The Ring and the Rings” in The New Yorker.

Written by
Darren

Keep reading

How a Thornbush Crown Made Henry VII — and Built the Tudor Dynasty
Middle Ages

How a Thornbush Crown Made Henry VII — and Built the Tudor Dynasty

Sean Alison · 17 min
Qing Dynasty Men Who Refused the Manchu Braid Were Executed
Politics

Qing Dynasty Men Who Refused the Manchu Braid Were Executed

Matthew Weber · 12 min
M1 Garand’s Inventor Won WWII’s Greatest Rifle—and Died Nearly Broke
American History

M1 Garand’s Inventor Won WWII’s Greatest Rifle—and Died Nearly Broke

Gregory Gann · 10 min
Advertisement