Publisher Description

Before The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the earliest myths and legends of Middle-earth and Valinor were laid down in The Book of Lost Tales, written by J.R.R. Tolkien between 1916 and 1920, and compiled by Christopher Tolkien for publication in 1983.
The Book of Lost Tales stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor, for the Tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion.

Embedded in English legend, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol to the lonely Isle where the Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In the Tales are found the earliest accounts of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of the geography and cosmology of Tolkien's invented world.

This first volume in Christopher Tolkien's epic History of Middle-earth series is the perfect gateway for anyone wanting to tread deeper into the rich tapestry of Tolkien's world and discover the evolution of the Middle-earth stories.

Back Cover

'The Book of Lost Tales' stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor for the 'Tales' were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called 'The Silmarillion'. Embedded in English legend and English association, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol (or Aelfwine) to Tol Eress

Flap

'The Book of Lost Tales' stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor for the 'Tales' were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called 'The Silmarillion'. Embedded in English legend and English association, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol (or Aelfwine) to Tol Eress

Author Biography

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 60 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Review

'Christopher Tolkien shows himself to be his father's son... Tolkien devotees will rejoice' The New York Times Book Review 'In these Lost Tales we have the scholar joyously gambolling in the thicket of his imagination... a Commentary and Notes greatly enrich the quest' Daily Telegraph 'The Tales will be appreciated by those who have read The Silmarillion andwish to examine how Tolkien improved his story and style from their original form, and how weventually The Lord of the Rings came to stand independently with only a few hints from the early mythology' British Book News

Long Description

The first of a two-book set that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien's epic tale of war, The Silmarillion. The Book of Lost Tales stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor for the Tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion. Embedded in English legend and English association, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol to the lonely Isle where the Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In the Tales are found the earliest accounts of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of the geography and cosmology of Tolkien's invented world. This series of fascinating books has now been repackaged to complement the distinctive and classic style of the 'black cover' A-format paperbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.

Review Quote

'Christopher Tolkien shows himself to be his father's son… Tolkien devotees will rejoice' The New York Times Book Review 'In these Lost Tales we have the scholar joyously gambolling in the thicket of his imagination… a Commentary and Notes greatly enrich the quest' Daily Telegraph 'The Tales will be appreciated by those who have read The Silmarillion andwish to examine how Tolkien improved his story and style from their original form, and how weventually The Lord of the Rings came to stand independently with only a few hints from the early mythology' British Book News

Feature

* The first part of the account of the writing of Tolkien's epic precursor to The Lord of the Rings * Features many alternative texts not in The Silmarillion * Peter Jackson's multi-million dollar film trilogy wil ensure maximum attention on all of Tolkien's works * Brand new eye-catching package to complement the popular new 'black covers' of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion andd Unfinished Tales Competition: A;Game of Thrones;Song of Ice and Fire;The;Witcher;Chronicles of Narnia;His Dark Materials;Hunger Games;Shadow and bone;artemis fowl;dune;dragon rider. by;George R R Martin;Ursula K Le Guin;C S Lewis;Philip Pullman;Neil Gaiman;J K Rowling;Suzanne Collins;Margaret Atwood;Alan Lee;Christopher Tolkien

Description for Sales People

The first of a two-book set that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien's epic tale of war, The Silmarillion. The Book of Lost Tales stands at the beginning of the entire conception of Middle-earth and Valinor for the Tales were the first form of the myths and legends that came to be called The Silmarillion. Embedded in English legend and English association, they are set in the narrative frame of a great westward voyage over the Ocean by a mariner named Eriol to the lonely Isle where the Elves dwelt; from them he learned their true history, the Lost Tales of Elfinesse. In the Tales are found the earliest accounts of Gods and Elves, Dwarves, Balrogs and Orcs; of the Silmarils and the Two Trees of Valinor; of the geography and cosmology of Tolkien's invented world. This series of fascinating books has now been repackaged to complement the distinctive and classic style of the 'black cover' A-format paperbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales. * The first part of the account of the writing of Tolkien's epic precursor to The Lord of the Rings * Features many alternative texts not in The Silmarillion * Peter Jackson's multi-million dollar film trilogy wil ensure maximum attention on all of Tolkien's works * Brand new eye-catching package to complement the popular new 'black covers' of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion andd Unfinished Tales Competition: A;Game of Thrones;Song of Ice and Fire;The;Witcher;Chronicles of Narnia;His Dark Materials;Hunger Games;Shadow and bone;artemis fowl;dune;dragon rider. by;George R R Martin;Ursula K Le Guin;C S Lewis;Philip Pullman;Neil Gaiman;J K Rowling;Suzanne Collins;Margaret Atwood;Alan Lee;Christopher Tolkien

Details