The history of Lord of the Rings Part One ~ The Return of the Shadow (History of Middle-Earth) - Softcover

Tolkien, J. R. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 004440669X ISBN 13: 9780044406693

Publisher: Unwin Paperbacks, 1990

Synopsis

The first part of the history of the creation of "The Lord of the Rings" is a study of Tolkien's work 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. The book comes complete with reproductions of the first maps and facsimile pages from the earliest manuscripts.

About this title

From the Back Cover

'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 pure imaginative power of J.R.R.Tolkien shines through...an excellent example of the creative imagination at work.”
BALTIMORE SUN

About the Author

J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide

Edition details

• Publisher: Unwin Paperbacks
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 004440669X
• ISBN 13: 9780044406693
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 502