The Complete History of Middle-Earth: Part 2 - Hardcover

Tolkien, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007149166 ISBN 13: 9780007149162

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

A new one-volume edition of the four books which comprise The History of 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.

About this title

Review:

Tolkien completists will just have to have this beautiful History of Middle Earth II in their collection. This luxuriously presented limited edition book is the middle part of the History of JRR Tolkien's vast fantasy epic Lord of the Rings and contains early drafts, alternative versions of events that took place in the story along with maps and illustrations not found in the original. Exhaustive research by Tolkien's son Christopher has resulted in a rich and detailed account of the most popular book ever written and this edition, presented in an embossed slip case and printed on gold-edged india paper, does true justice to the lasting nature of the subject matter. It may seem pricey and is really only for Tolkien completists, but this handsome edition will be treasured for years to come. Part One of the History is already available and Part Three is publishing in Autumn 2001. --Jonathan Weir

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
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007149166
• ISBN 13: 9780007149162
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 2032