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Amazon.co.uk 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.

With this mammoth release, we get the literary backstory, so to say, of J. R. R. Tolkien's turmoil and travails of the composition of one of the most complex fantasies every constructed. Gather all twelve previously published volumes into three huge books, these tell the final story of Tolkien's world, in all its grandeur and heart breaking beauty. The hefty price tag that is attached is to be expected, seeing it covers twelve expensive single volumes. The first two volumes deal with the earliest form of THE SILMARILLION, the next are the epic LAYS that were never completed, and showing Tolkien was a poet of very accomplished calibre. THE SHAPING deals with the geography and physical history, while THE LOST ROAD shows us an unfinished novel and several other unearthed treasures. The real meat, to literary historians who are not specialized in Tolkien and to the causal fan, is the volumes VI-IX, which deal with the creation of THE LORD OF THE RINGS, one of the most significant volumes ever released the world, online with Homer, Virgil, and Dante. This is a graduate level look at what goes in the making of a literary masterpiece. The last of the volumes deal with Tolkien's attempt to recast THE SILMARILLION in sometimes radical departures from the accepted structure. The last volume is THE PEOPLES OF MIDDLE-EARTH, which are the appendices of THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and several interesting tidbits, included a Numenor story and THE NEW SHADOW, the aborted sequel to THE LORD OF THE RINGS.
This publication is for the serious student and lover of J. R. R. Tolkien's work. The causal fan will find this much too expensive and much too expansive. For those only marginally interested the volumes dealing with THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy novel should be looked at. But those who love Middle-earth and want to marvel at Tolkien's work, this is a must-have purchase. It's a very rare opportunity to see the creation of a work of such massive import to our international societies. Tolkien's commitment to this birthing process of a beautiful work of art truly stands out as one of the great efforts of Man to give homage to his God, as Tolkien saw it (read his essay on Faerie Stories), and I see it as well. Get it and become immersed - though beware this detailing the construction of this elaborate universe, which means these are rough drafts and various other things that didn't make it into publication in Tolkien's time, adding a huge amount of material to Tolkien's fandom to consider. Christopher's editorial notes are a must have. Thanks to the Tolkien family and to Christopher for their support of their father (who died in 1973) and of his son for the publication of this work. A very unique moment in literary history indeed.

Author: Christopher Tolkien
ISBN: 978-0007149162
Length :1805 minutes
Discs :0
Year Released: 2000
Year Product Released: 2003
Format: Hardback
Where From: amazon.co.uk
Rating: 0
Date Added: 2009-04-02
Time Added: 00:00:00

Additional
The 2nd Volume of the Complete History Of Middle Earth series:

This volume comprises
VI The Return Of Shadow - 467 pages plus 30 for index = 497
VII The Treason Of Isengard - 459 pages plus 6 Appendix On Runes plus 38 for index = 504
VIII The War Of The Ring - 439 pages plus 36 for index = 475
IX Sauron Defeated - 440 pages plus 42 for index = 482

Total pages = 1805 Index pages = 152 Total with Index - 1957 pages