The Silmarillion

J. R. R. Tolkien

ISBN 10: 0048231398 / ISBN 13: 9780048231390

Published by George Allen & Unwin, London, 1977

About this Item

George Allen & Unwin Ltd London, 1977. Hardcover. ISBN 0 04 8231398 JRR TOLKIEN . FIRST EDITION & FIRST PRINTING. States First published in 1977 on copyright page. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. No price on jacket as called for in the first released export edition and has un-corrected points of issue: Page 330 line 4 has a missing full-stop after 'Feanor'; Lord of the Waters and King of the Sea" in italics on page 352 line 39; Map with red and black titles facing page 121. Tipped in fold-out map at rear with red and black titles. This copy has small amounts of foxing to the page edges and prelims. A little softening to the front leading corner. The jacket has a damp stain along the bottom at the front and the usual light sunning to the spine. Light shelf wear. One tiny closed tear to the rear.

Seller Inventory # 044906

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Silmarillion
• Publisher: George Allen & Unwin, London
• Publication Date: 1977
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0048231398
• ISBN 13: 9780048231390
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science Fiction/Fantasy

About this title

Synopsis

An edition of the forerunner to THE LORD OF THE RINGS, which gives an account of the Elder Days when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwells in Middle-Earth, and the High Elves make war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.

Review

The Silmarillion is J.R.R. Tolkien's tragic, operatic history of the First Age of Middle-Earth, essential background material for serious readers of the classic Lord of the Rings saga. Tolkien's work sets the standard for fantasy, and this audio version of the "Bible of Middle-Earth" does The Silmarillion justice. Martin Shaw's reading is grave and resonant, conveying all the powerful events and emotions that shaped elven and human history long before Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf and all the rest embarked on their quests. Beginning with the Music of the Ainur, The Silmarillion tells a tale of the Elder Days, when Elves and Men became estranged by the Dark Lord Morgoth's lust for the Silmarils, pure and powerful magic jewels. Even the love between a human warrior and the daughter of the Elven king cannot defeat Morgoth, but the War of Wrath finally brings down the Dark Lord. Peace reigns until the evil Sauron recovers the Rings of Power and sets the stage for the events told in the Lord of the Rings. This is epic fantasy at its finest, thrillingly read and gloriously unabridged. (Running time: 14 hours, 6 CDs)