The Complete History of Middle-Earth Lord of the Rings - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007149166 ISBN 13: 9780007149162

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous for his unique literary creation, exemplified in "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Silmarillion". He also produced a vast amount of further material that expands upon the stories that were published, and which 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 task of literary construction that Tolkien's youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to, producing the series of twelve books, "The Complete History of Middle-Earth". This hardback edition brings together volumes six to nine of "The History of Middle-earth": "The Return of the Shadow", "The Treason of Isengard", "The War of the Ring" and "Sauron Defeated". Together these books give a 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.

About this title

About the Author:

Christopher Tolkien, born on 21 November 1924, is the third son of J.R.R. Tolkien. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. At the end of the war he returned to Oxford University, and became a fellow of New College and tutor in English in 1964, lecturing in the University on early English and northern literature. Appointed by J.R.R. Tolkien to be his literary executor, he has devoted himself since his father's death in 1973 to the editing and publication of unpublished writings, notably The Silmarillion and the collections entitled Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth. Since 1975 he has live in France with his wife Baillie.

Review:

`One marvels anew at the depth, breadth and persistence of J.R.R. Tolkien's labour. No one sympathetic to his aims - the invention of a secondary universe - will want to miss this chance to be present at the creation.' Publishers Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007149166
• ISBN 13: 9780007149162
• Binding: Hardcover