Michael Drout is an amazing professor who teaches the works of JRR Tolkien. He's also a regular guest of A Long Expected Party, aka ALEP, the ultimate Tolkien gathering in the world. I had the pleasure of talking to him about his love of Tolkien and he also provided valuable insight on how to read The Silmarillion. If you are passionate about hobbits and all things Lord of the Rings, then find out more about ALEP at http://www.alep-ky.us/