The History Of Middle Earth BOOKS

In what was the single largest work of literary archaeology ever undertaken, J.R.R. Tolkien's son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, edited the vast collection of manuscripts and illustrations and these were posthumously published in twelve volumes as The History of Middle-earth.

Although J.R.R. Tolkien is well-known for The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, the material which laid the groundwork for what must be the most fully realised sub-creation ever to spring from a single imagination was begun many years before the publication of The Hobbit, and indeed Tolkien continued to work upon its completion until his death in 1973.

The History of Middle-Earth (1) — THE BOOK OF LOST TALES 1

'The Book of Lost Tales' stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor for the 'Tales' were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called 'The Silmarillion'. Embedded in English legend and English association, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol (or Aelfwine) to Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle, where Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the 'Lost Tales of Elfinesse'. In the 'Tales' are found the earliest accounts and original ideas of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of Nargothrond and Gondolin; of the geography and cosmology of the invented world.

The History of Middle-Earth (2) — THE BOOK OF LOST TALES 2

This second part of 'The Book of Lost Tales' includes the tales of Beren and Lúthien, Túrin and the Dragon, and the only full narratives of the Necklace of the Dwarves and the Fall of Gondolin. Each tale is followed by a commentary in the form of a short essay, together with the texts of associated poems, and contains extensive information on names and vocabulary in the earliest Elvish languages.

[b]The History of Middle-earth (3) — THE LAYS OF BELERIAND

This, the third volume of The History of Middle-earth, gives us a priviledged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien’s world – those of Turien and Luthien. The first of the poems is the unpublished Lay of The Children of Hurin, narrating on a grand scale the tragedy of Turin Turambar. The second is the moving Lay of Leithian, the chief source of the tale of Beren and Luthien in The Silmarillion, telling of the Quest of the Silmaril and the encounter with Morgoth in his subterranean fortress.

Accompanying the poems are commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also included is the notable criticism of The Lay of The Leithian by CS Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.

The History of Middle-Earth (4) — THE SHAPING OF MIDDLE-EARTH

At the end of 1937, J.R.R Tolkien reluctantly set aside his work on the myths and heroic legends of Valinor and Middle-earth and began The Lord of the Rings.

This fifth volume of The History of Middle-earth completes the examination of his writing up to that time. Later forms of The Annals of Valinor and The Annals of Beleriand had been composed, The Silmarillion was nearing completion in a greatly amplified form, and a new Map had been made. The legend of the Downfall of Numenor had entered the work, including those central ideas: the World Made Round and the Straight Path into the vanished West. Closely associated with this was the abandoned 'time-travel' story The Lost Road, linking the world of Numenor and Middle-earth with the legends of many other times and peoples.

Also included in this volume is The Lhammas, as essay on the complex languages and dialects of Middle-earth, and an 'etymological dictionary' containing an extensive account of Elvish vocabularies.

The History of Middle-earth (5) — THE LOST ROAD: and Other Writings

At the end of 1937, J.R.R Tolkien reluctantly set aside his work on the myths and heroic legends of Valinor and Middle-earth and began The Lord of the Rings.

This fifth volume of The History of Middle-earth completes the examination of his writing up to that time. Later forms of The Annals of Valinor and The Annals of Beleriand had been composed, The Silmarillion was nearing completion in a greatly amplified form, and a new Map had been made. The legend of the Downfall of Numenor had entered the work, including those central ideas: the World Made Round and the Straight Path into the vanished West. Closely associated with this was the abandoned 'time-travel' story The Lost Road, linking the world of Numenor and Middle-earth with the legends of many other times and peoples.

Also included in this volume is The Lhammas, as essay on the complex languages and dialects of Middle-earth, and an 'etymological dictionary' containing an extensive account of Elvish vocabularies.

The History of Middle-Earth (6) — THE RETURN OF THE SHADOW

'The Return of the Shadow' is the first part of the history of the creation of 'The Lord of the Rings', a fascinating study of Tolkien's great masterpiece, from its inception to the end of the first volume, 'The Fellowship of the Ring'.

In 'The Return of the Shadow' (the abandoned title of the first volume of 'The Lord of the Rings'😉 we see how Bilbo's 'magic' ring evolved into the supremely dangerous Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord; and the precise, and astonishingly unforeseen, moment when a Black Rider first rode into the Shire. The character of the hobbit called Trotter (afterwards Strider or Aragorn) is developed, though his true identity seems to be an insoluble problem. Frodo's companions undergo many changes of name and personality; and other major figures appear in unfamiliar guises: a sinister Treebeard, in league with the Enemy, and a ferocious, malevolent Farmer Maggot.

This book comes complete with reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earlier manuscripts.

The History of Middle-earth (7) — THE TREASON OF ISENGARD

'The Treason of Isengard' continues the account of the creation of 'The Lord of the Rings' started in the earlier volume, 'The Return of the Shadow'.

It traces the great expansion of the tale into new lands and new peoples south and east of the Misty Mountains: the emergence of Lothlórien, of Ents of the Riders of Rohan, and of Saruman the White in the fortress of Isengard.

In brief outlines and pencilled drafts dashed down on scraps of paper are seen the first entry of Galadriel, the earliest ideas of the history of Gondor, and the original meeting of Aragorn and Éowyn, its significance destined to be wholly transformed.

The book also contains a full account of the original map which was to be the basis of the emerging geography of Middle-earth; and an appendix examines the Runic alphabets, with illustrations of the forms and an analysis of the Runes used in the Book of Mazarbul found beside Balin's tomb in Moria.

The History of Middle-earth (8) — THE WAR OF THE RING

'The War of the Ring' takes up the story of 'The Lord of the Rings' with the Battle of Helm’s Deep and the drowning of Isengard by the Ents, continues with the journey of Frodo, Sam and Gollum to the Pass of Cirith Ungol, describes the war in Gondor, and ends with the parley between Gandalf and the ambassador of the Dark Lord before the Black Gate of Mordor. Unforeseen developments that would become central to the narrative are seen at the moment of their emergence: the palantir bursting into fragments on the stairs of Orthanc, its nature as unknown to the author as to those who saw it fall, or the entry of Faramir into the story (‘I am sure I did not invent him, I did not even want him, though I like him, but there he came walking through the woods of Ithilien’).

The book is illustrated with plans and drawings of the changing conceptions of Orthanc, Dunharrow, Minas Tirith and the tunnels of Shelob’s Lair.

The History of Middle-earth (9) — SAURON DEFEATED

In the first section of 'Sauron Defeated' Christopher Tolkien completes his fascinating study of 'The Lord of the Rings'. Beginning with Sam's rescue of Frodo from the Tower of Cirith Ungol, and giving a very different account of the Scouring of the Shire, this section ends with versions of the hitherto unpublished 'Epilogue', in which, years after the departure of Bilbo and Frodo from the Grey Havens, Sam attempts to answer his children's questions.

The second section is an edition of 'The Notion Club Papers', now published for the first time. These mysterious papers discovered in the early years of the twentieth-first century, report the discussions of an Oxford club in the years 1986-7, in which, after a number of topics, the centre of interest turns to the legends of Atlantis, the strange communications received by other members of the club from the past, and the violent irruption of the legend into the North-west of Europe. Closely associated with the 'Papers' is a new version of the 'Drowning of Anadune', which constitutes the third part of the book. At this time the language of the Men of the West, 'Adunaic', was first devised, and the book concludes with an account of its structure provided by Arundel Lowdham, a member of the Notion Club, who learned it in his dreams.

The History of Middle-Earth (10) — MORGOTH’S RING

In 'Morgoth's Ring', the first of two companion volumes, Christopher Tolkien describes and documents the later history of 'The Silmarillion', from the time when his father turned again to 'the Matter of the Elder Days' after 'The Lord of the Rings' was at last achieved. The text of the Annals of Aman, the 'Blessed Land' in the far West, is given in full; while in writings hitherto unknown is seen the nature of the problems that J. R. R. Tolkien explored in his later years, as new and radical ideas, portending upheaval in the old narratives, emerged at the heart of the mythology, and as the destinies of Man and Elves, mortals and immortals, became of central significance, together with a vastly enlarged perception of the evil of Melkor, the Shadow upon Arda.

The second part of this history of the later Silmarillion is concerned with the developments in the legends of Beleriend after the completion of 'The Lord of the Rings'.

The History of Middle-earth (11) — THE WAR OF THE JEWELS

In 'The War of the Jewels' Christopher Tolkien takes up his account of the later history of 'The Silmarillion' from the point where it was left in 'Morgoth's Ring'. The story now returns to Middle-earth, and the ruinous conflict of the High Elves and the Men who were their allies with the power of the Dark Lord. With the publication of this book all J. R. R. Tolkien's later narrative writing concerned with the last centuries of the First Age, the long history of 'The Silmarillion', from it's beginning in 'The Book of Lost Tales', is completed; and the enigmatic state of the work at his death can be understood.

The book contains the full text of the Grey Annals, the primary record of the War of the Jewels, and a major story of Middle-earth now published for the first time: the tale of the disaster that overtook the forest people of Brethil when Hurin the Steadfast came among them after his release from long years of captivity in Angband, the fortress of Morgoth.

The History of Middle-Earth (12) — THE PEOPLES OF MIDDLE-EARTH

'The Peoples of Middle-earth' traces the evolution of the Appendices to 'The Lord of The Rings', which provide a comprehensive historical structure of the Second and Third Ages, including Calendars, Hobbit genealogies and the Westron language. The book concludes with two unique abandoned stories: The New Shadow, set in Gondor during the Fourth Age, and the tale of Tal-elmar, in which the coming of the dreaded Numenorean ships is seen through the eyes of men of Middle-earth in the Dark Years.

With the publication of this book, the long history of J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation is completed and the enigmatic state of his work can be understood.

Following up on the first 12 Books of "The History of Middle Earth"

The History of Middle-earth (13) — INDEX

Although J.R.R Tolkien is well-known for 'The Hobbit', 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Silmarillion', the material which laid the groundwork for what must be the most fully realised sub-creation ever to spring from a single imagination was begun many years before the publication of 'The Hobbit', and indeed Tolkien continued to work upon its completion until his death in 1973.

In one of the single largest works of 'literary archaeology' ever undertaken, J.R.R. Tolkien's son and literary executor, Christopher Tolkien, edited the vast collection of manuscripts together with maps and illustrations and these were posthumously published in twelve volumes as 'The History of Middle Earth.'

Christopher Tolkien also compiled a very detailed and thorough index for each of these books. This companion edition to the twelve-volume 'History' now brings together all of the indexes in one place, and provides the reader with an invaluable sourcebook to all the peoples, places and other significant entries from 'The Silmarillion' and 'The Lord of the Rings' which appear in 'The History of Middle-earth.'

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: Part 1

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous the world over for his unique literary creation, exemplified in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. What is less well known, however, is that he also produced a vast amount of further material that greatly expands upon the mythology and numerous stories of Middle-earth, and which gives added life to the thousand-year war between the Elves and the evil spirit Morgoth, and his terrifying lieutenant, Sauron.

It was to this enormous task of literary construction that his Tolkien’s youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to produce the monumental and endlessly fascinating series of 12 books, The History of Middle-earth.

This brand new hardback edition brings together the first five volumes of The History of Middle-earth – The Book of Lost Tales Parts 1 and 2, The Lays of Beleriand, The Shaping of Middle-earth and The Lost Road – into one volume.

Epic in scope and extent, and featuring rare maps and illustrations drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien, this first standard hardback volume of a planned trilogy will present the reader with a unique opportunity to own the entire History of Middle-earth in three large but sensibly priced volumes.

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: Part 2 – The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous the world over for his unique literary creation, exemplified in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. What is less well known, however, is that he also produced a vast amount of further material that greatly expands upon the stories that were published, and which herein gives added life to the tales of the hobbits, Gandalf and the quest of the Fellowship as told in The Lord of the Rings.

It was to this enormous task of literary construction that Tolkien’s youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to produce the monumental and endlessly fascinating series of twelve books, The History of Middle-earth.

This brand new hardback edition brings together volumes VI – IX of The History of Middle-earth – The Return of the Shadow, The Treason of Isengard, The War of the Ring and Sauron Defeated – into one volume. Together these books give a fascinating and complete account of the writing of The Lord of the Rings, and provide the reader with numerous additional scenes, together with rare maps and illustrations, which never made it into the final book, including the epilogue in its entirety.

Epic in scope and extent, this second hardback volume of a planned trilogy will present the reader with a unique opportunity: to collect a complementary set of each hardback volume in The Complete History of Middle-earth series.

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH: Part 3

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous the world over for his unique literary creation, exemplified in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. What is less well known, however, is that he also produced a vast amount of further material that greatly expands upon the mythology and numerous stories of Middle-earth, and which gives added life to the thousand-year war between the Elves and the evil spirit Morgoth, and his terrifying lieutenant, Sauron.

It was to this enormous task of literary construction that his Tolkien’s youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to produce the monumental and endlessly fascinating series of 12 books, The History of Middle-earth.

This hardback edition brings together the final three volumes of The History of Middle-earth – Morgoth’s Ring, The War of the Jewels and The Peoples of Middle-earth.

Epic in scope and extent, and featuring rare maps and illustrations drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien, this final volume of the trilogy presents the reader with a unique opportunity to collect the complete set of The Complete History of Middle-earth in an attractive and lasting edition.