New Releases by J. R. R. TOLKIEN

With Christopher Tolkien as your guide, take a tour through this colorful gallery of enchanting art by J.R.R. Tolkien, as published originally in the first groundbreaking Tolkien Calendars of the 1970s. This collection of pictures, with a text by Christopher Tolkien, now reissued after almost thirty years, confirms J.R.R. Tolkien''s considerable talent as an artist. It provides fascinating insight into his visual conception of many of the places and events familiar to readers of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Examples of his art range from delicate watercolors depicting Rivendell, the Forest of Lothlorien, Smaug, and Old Man Willow, to drawings and sketches of Moria Gate and Minas Tirith. Together they form a comprehensive collection of Tolkien''s own illustrations for his most popular books. Also included are many of his beautiful designs showing patterns of flowers and trees, friezes, tapestries, and heraldic devices associated with the world of Middle-earth. In their variety and scope, they provide abundant visual evidence of the richness of his imagination. This enchanting gallery was personally selected by Christopher Tolkien who, through detailed notes on the sources for each picture, provides unique insight into the artistic vision of his father, J.R.R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion is an account of the Elder Days, of the First Age of Tolkien’s world. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part. The tales of The Silmarillion are set in an age when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-Earth, and the High Elves made war upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the jewels containing the pure light of Valinor.

"The Classic Collection of J.R.R. Tolkien: Illustrated" is a meticulously curated anthology that brings together the timeless masterpieces of the legendary author. This collection includes Tolkien''s iconic works, such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy – comprising "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King" – along with the beloved prelude, "The Hobbit." Dive into the rich tapestry of Middle-earth as you follow the courageous Fellowship on their quest, witness the journey of Bilbo Baggins, and experience the enduring power of Tolkien''s storytelling. This beautifully illustrated collection is a tribute to the enduring legacy of J.R.R. Tolkien, inviting both dedicated fans and new readers alike to embark on an immersive journey through the heart of fantasy literature. Contents: The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King

Mr Bliss, a man notable for his immensely tall hats and for the girabbit in his garden, takes the whimsical decision to buy a motor car. But his first drive to visit friends quickly becomes a catalogue of disasters... J.R.R. Tolkien invented and illustrated the book of Mr Bliss''s adventures for his own children when they were very young. The book was handwritten with lots of detailed and uproarious colour pictures. This is a complete and highly imaginative tale of eccentricity. Some of the disasters that befall Mr Bliss could be blamed on his style of driving, but even he could not anticipate being hijacked by three bears. As for what happened next - the readers, whether young or old, will want to discover for themselves. Republished in hardback to match his Letters from Father Christmas and other illustrated Tolkien editions, Mr Bliss is presented as a conventional illustrated storybook, and also with Tolkien''s handwritten pages in facsimile at the back, and is sure to delight Tolkien fans of all ages.

For the first time ever, a beautiful slipcased edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings, and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colors and with many bonus features unique to this edition. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey "there and back again." They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon... Written for J.R.R. Tolkien''s own children, The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937. With a beautiful cover design, a handful of black & white drawings and two maps by the author himself, the book became an instant success and was reprinted shortly afterwards with five color plates. Tolkien''s own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than 85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkien''s creative process, and many additional sketches, colored drawings, and maps--although exhibited and published elsewhere--have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit. In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkien''s enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure "there and back again." Unique to this edition are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Thror''s Map and Wilderland, an illustrated 88-page booklet, and a printed art card reproducing Tolkien''s original dustjacket painting. It is additionally quarterbound in green leather, with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase. The pages are edged in gold and include a ribbon marker.

A commemorative 75th anniversary edition of Tolkien''s classic book, including a revised introduction, a map, a copy of Tolkien''s unpublished short story which he expanded for publication, his notes for an aborted sequel, and the original first edition illustrations by Pauline Baynes.[Bokinfo].

A special collectible hardcover edition of the best-selling classic, featuring the complete story with a sumptuous cover design, foil stamping, stained edges, and ribbon bookmark. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey "there and back again." They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. . . The prelude to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most beloved and influential books of the twentieth century. This elegant hardcover - now available for the first time in the United States - is one of five Collector''s Editions of Tolkien''s most beloved works, and an essential piece of any Tolkien reader''s library.

"The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated" is a captivating edition of J.R.R. Tolkien''s epic fantasy trilogy, featuring "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King," accompanied by stunning illustrations that bring Middle-earth to life in vivid detail. In "The Fellowship of the Ring," readers are introduced to the peaceful land of the Shire and its unassuming protagonist, Frodo Baggins, who embarks on a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the dark lord Sauron. Joined by a diverse fellowship of elves, dwarves, men, and hobbits, Frodo and his companions journey through enchanted forests, treacherous mountains, and haunted ruins, facing countless dangers and adversaries along the way. "The Two Towers" continues the saga as Frodo and his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee venture into the heart of enemy territory, while their companions confront their own trials and challenges in the war-torn lands of Rohan and Gondor. As the forces of darkness gather and the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, alliances are forged, battles are fought, and sacrifices are made in the struggle against evil. Finally, in "The Return of the King," the epic climax unfolds as the armies of Middle-earth converge for the ultimate showdown between good and evil. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Frodo and Sam must overcome their own inner demons and confront the dark power of the One Ring in the fiery depths of Mount Doom. Illustrated with breathtaking artwork that captures the grandeur and beauty of Tolkien''s mythical world, "The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated" is a must-have edition for fans of epic fantasy and literary adventure. With its timeless tale of courage, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil, Tolkien''s masterpiece continues to captivate readers of all ages and inspire generations of storytellers.

"Farmer Giles of Ham: Illustrated" is a delightful tale by J.R.R. Tolkien, enriched with charming illustrations that enhance the whimsical nature of the story. Set in the fictional English countryside of Ham, the narrative follows the adventures of Farmer Giles, an unassuming and somewhat bumbling farmer who unexpectedly finds himself thrust into the role of a hero. When a fearsome dragon threatens the peaceful village of Ham, Farmer Giles must summon all of his courage and cunning to confront the monstrous beast. Armed with little more than a sword and his wits, Giles embarks on a series of comical and courageous exploits that lead him into unexpected encounters with giants, wizards, and even the king himself. As Farmer Giles''s reputation as a dragon-slayer grows, so too does the hilarity and excitement of his adventures. Along the way, Tolkien weaves a rich tapestry of humor, satire, and whimsy, poking fun at traditional fairy tale tropes while celebrating the resilience and resourcefulness of the common man. Illustrated with delightful artwork that captures the spirit of Tolkien''s storytelling, "Farmer Giles of Ham: Illustrated" offers readers a delightful journey into a world of fantasy and fun. With its endearing characters, witty dialogue, and playful narrative style, this edition is sure to enchant readers of all ages and leave them smiling from ear to ear.

For the first time ever, a special enhanced edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey ‘there and back again.’ They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon . . . Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937. With a beautiful cover design, a handful of black & white drawings and two maps by the author himself, the book became an instant success and was reprinted shortly afterwards with five color plates. Tolkien’s own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than 85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkien’s creative process, and many additional sketches, colored drawings and maps – although exhibited and published elsewhere – have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit. In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkien’s enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure ‘there and back again.’

The first-ever standalone edition of one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most important poetic dramas, that explores timely themes such as the nature of heroism and chivalry during war, featuring previously unpublished and never-before-seen texts and drafts. In 991 AD, Vikings attacked an Anglo-Saxon defense-force led by their duke, Beorhtnoth, resulting in brutal fighting along the banks of the river Blackwater, near Maldon in Essex. The attack is widely considered one of the defining conflicts of tenth-century England, due to it being immortalized in the poem, The Battle of Maldon. Written shortly after the battle, the poem now survives only as a 325-line fragment, but its value to today is incalculable, not just as a heroic tale but in vividly expressing the lost language of our ancestors and celebrating ideals of loyalty and friendship. J.R.R. Tolkien considered The Battle of Maldon “the last surviving fragment of ancient English heroic minstrelsy.” It would inspire him to compose, during the 1930s, his own dramatic verse-dialogue, The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm’s Son, which imagines the aftermath of the great battle when two of Beorhtnoth’s retainers come to retrieve their duke’s body. Leading Tolkien scholar, Peter Grybauskas, presents for the very first time J.R.R. Tolkien’s own prose translation of The Battle of Maldon together with the definitive treatment of The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth and its accompanying essays; also included and never before published is Tolkien’s bravura lecture, “The Tradition of Versification in Old English,” a wide-ranging essay on the nature of poetic tradition. Illuminated with insightful notes and commentary, he has produced a definitive critical edition of these works, and argues compellingly that, Beowulf excepted, The Battle of Maldon may well have been “the Old English poem that most influenced Tolkien’s fiction,” most dramatically within the pages of The Lord of the Rings.

J. R. R. Tolkien’s writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume complete with new illustrations in watercolor and pencil by renowned artist Alan Lee. J.R.R. Tolkien famously described the Second Age of Middle-earth as a "dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told." And for many years readers would need to be content with the tantalizing glimpses of it found within the pages of The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, including the forging of the Rings of Power, the building of the Barad-dûr and the rise of Sauron. It was not until Christopher Tolkien published The Silmarillion after his father’s death that a fuller story could be told. Although much of the book’s content concerned the First Age of Middle-earth, there were at its close two key works that revealed the tumultuous events concerning the rise and fall of the island of Númenor. Raised out of the Great Sea and gifted to the Men of Middle-earth as a reward for aiding the angelic Valar and the Elves in the defeat and capture of the Dark Lord Morgoth, the kingdom became a seat of influence and wealth; but as the Númenóreans’ power increased, the seed of their downfall would inevitably be sown, culminating in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Even greater insight into the Second Age would be revealed in subsequent publications, first in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, then expanded upon in Christopher Tolkien’s magisterial twelve-volume The History of Middle-earth, in which he presented and discussed a wealth of further tales written by his father, many in draft form. Now, adhering to the timeline of "The Tale of Years" in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings, editor Brian Sibley has assembled into one comprehensive volume a new chronicle of the Second Age of Middle-earth, told substantially in the words of Tolkien from the various published texts, with new illustrations in watercolor and pencil by the doyen of Tolkien art, Alan Lee.

For the first time ever, a very special edition of the forerunner to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout in color by J.R.R. Tolkien himself and with the complete text printed in two colors. A deluxe slipcased edition of the Silmarillion Illustrated edition – the first volume to include J.R.R. Tolkien’s own illustrations – this edition is a beautiful keepsake for ardent fans and collectors. The Silmarilli were three perfect jewels, fashioned by Fëanor, most gifted of the Elves, and within them was imprisoned the last Light of the Two Trees of Valinor. But the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, stole the jewels and set them within his iron crown, guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Fëanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all the heroism, against the great Enemy. It is the ancient drama to which the characters in The Lord of the Rings look back, and in whose events some of them such as Elrond and Galadriel took part. The book also includes several shorter works: the Ainulindalë, a myth of the Creation, and the Valaquenta, in which the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Alkallb?th recounts the downfall of the great island kingdom of Númenor at the end of the Second Age, and Of the Rings of Power tells of the great events at the end of the Third Age, as narrated in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien could not publish The Silmarillion in his lifetime, as it grew with him, so he would leave it to his son, Christopher Tolkien, to edit the work from many manuscripts and bring his father’s great vision to publishable form, so completing the literary achievement of a lifetime. This special edition presents anew this seminal first step towards mapping out the posthumous publishing of Middle-earth, and the beginning of an illustrious forty years and more than twenty books celebrating his father’s legacy. This definitive new edition includes, by way of an introduction, a letter written by Tolkien in 1951 which provides a brilliant exposition of the earlier Ages, and for the first time in its history is presented with J.R.R. Tolkien’s own paintings and drawings, which reveal the breathtaking grandeur and beauty of his vision of the First Age of Middle-earth.

Esta é a história de como um Baggins viveu uma aventura e deu por si a fazer e a dizer coisas totalmente inesperadas... Bilbo Baggins goza de uma vida confortável, calma e pouco ambiciosa. Raramente viaja mais longe do que a despensa ou a adega do seu buraco de hobbit, em Fundo-do-Saco. Mas a sua tranquilidade é perturbada quando, um dia, o feiticeiro Gandalf e uma companhia de treze anões aparecem à sua porta, para o levar numa perigosa aventura. Eles têm um plano: saquear o tesouro guardado por Smaug, O Magnífico, um dragão enorme e muito perigoso... Bilbo, embora relutante, junta-se a esta missão, desconhecendo que nesta viagem até à Montanha Solitária vai encontrar um anel mágico e uma estranha criatura conhecida como Gollum. Situado no mundo imaginário da Terra Média, O Hobbit, o prelúdio de O Senhor dos Anéis, vendeu milhões de exemplares em todo o mundo desde a sua publicação em 1937, impondo-se como um clássico intemporal e um dos livros mais adorados e influentes do século xx.

Begin your journey into Middle-earth. A New Legend Begins on Prime Video, in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This single volume, paperback omnibus edition includes the three titles that comprise J.R.R. Tolkien''s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Middle-earth, a world of magic and adventure. A land full of tales spanning thousands of years. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him all the Rings of Power--the means by which he intends to rule Middle-earth. All he lacks in his plans for dominion is the One Ring--the ring that rules them all--which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as the Ring is entrusted to his care. He must leave his home and make a perilous journey across the realms of Middle-earth to the Crack of Doom, deep inside the territories of the Dark Lord. There he must destroy the Ring forever and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

Begin your journey into Middle-earth. The inspiration for the upcoming original series on Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The Two Towers is the second part of J.R.R. Tolkien''s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger during their quest to prevent the Ruling Ring from falling into the hands of the Dark Lord by destroying it in the Cracks of Doom. They have lost the wizard, Gandalf, in a battle in the Mines of Moria. And Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While Frodo and Sam made their escape, the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs. Now they continue the journey alone down the great River Anduin--alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go. "Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century. The book presents us with the richest profusion of new lands and creatures, from the beauty of Lothlórien to the horror of Mordor."-Sunday Telegraph

Begin your journey into Middle-earth. The inspiration for the upcoming original series on Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The Return of the King is the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien''s epic adventure The Lord of the Rings. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. The Dark Lord has risen, and as he unleashes hordes of Orcs to conquer all Middle-earth, Frodo and Sam struggle deep into his realm in Mordor. To defeat Sauron, the One Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. But the way is impossibly hard, and Frodo is weakening. The Ring corrupts all who bear it and Frodo''s time is running out. Will Sam and Frodo succeed, or will the Dark Lord rule Middle-earth once more?

Os exércitos do Senhor das Trevas estão a crescer e a reunir forças, à medida que a sua sombra maligna se espalha pela Terra Média. Homens, Elfos e Anões unem forças para combater Sauron e os seus aliados. Alheios ao que se passa, Frodo e Sam continuam na terra de Mordor na sua busca heroica para destruir o Anel do Poder e impedi-lo de cair nas mãos erradas. Assim termina a obra-prima de J.R.R. TOLKIEN, iniciada em A Irmandade do Anel e As Duas Torres. Esta edição inclui os apêndices, índices e mapas detalhados da Terra Média. «Um final triunfante... um grande trabalho, grandioso tanto na conceção como na execução. Uma espantosa viagem de imaginação e de força». Daily Telegraph «Um feito impressionante, único entre as obras de imaginação dos nossos tempos.» The New York Herald-Tribune

Hobittien maailman esihistoria J.R.R. Tolkienin Taru Sormusten herrasta on 1900-luvun luetuimpia ja rakastetuimpia merkkiteoksia. Silmarillion-tarun, joka kertoo haltioiden taistelusta Melkoria vastaan, Tolkien suunnitteli luomansa fantasiamaailman esihistoriaksi. Paha Melkor on anastanut silmarilit, haltioiden kolme jalokiveä. Huikean tarinan pääteemoja ovat vallanhimon ja luovuuden välinen ristiriita sekä kaiken katoavaisuus.Silmarillion jäi viimeistelyä vaille kirjailijan kuollessa 1973, ja sen toimitti valmiiksi hänen poikansa Christopher Tolkien, keskiajan tutkija isänsä tavoin. Tuloksena on unohtumaton tarina, jonka menestys maailmalla vetää vertoja Taru Sormusten herrasta -klassikolle. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien tunnetaan nykyaikaisen fantasiakirjallisuuden isänä.

For the first time ever, a very special edition of the J. R. R. Tolkien''s classic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, gorgeously illustrated throughout in color by the author himself. Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivaled magic and otherworldliness, Tolkien''s sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. More than 150 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing. This one-volume, jacketed hardcover edition contains the complete text, fully corrected and reset, which is printed in red and black and features, for the very first time, thirty color illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, marvelous facsimiles created by Tolkien to accompany the famous ‘Bridge of Khazad-dum’ chapter. Also appearing are two removable fold-out maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien revealing all the detail of Middle-earth.

For the first time ever, a very special edition of the classic masterpiece, with the complete text and illustrated throughout by the author himself.

The third volume that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion. This, the third volume of The History of Middle-earth, gives us a privileged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien’s world—those of Turien and Luthien. The first of the poems is the unpublished Lay of The Children of Hurin, narrating on a grand scale the tragedy of Turin Turambar. The second is the moving Lay of Leithian, the chief source of the tale of Beren and Luthien in The Silmarillion, telling of the Quest of the Silmaril and the encounter with Morgoth in his subterranean fortress. Accompanying the poems are commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days, which was much developed during the years of the composition of the two Lays. Also included is the notable criticism in detail of the Lay of Lethian by C.S. Lewis, Tolkien''s friend and colleague, who read the poem in 1929. By assuming that this poem is actually a fragment from a past lost in history, Lewis underlined the remarkable power of its author''s imaginative talents and academic competence.

The Shaping Of Middle-Earth is the fourth volume that contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion. In this fourth volume of The History of Middle-earth, the shaping of the chronological and geographical structure of the legends of Middle-earth and Valinor is spread before us. We are introduced to the hitherto unknown Ambarkanta or “Shape of the World”, the only account ever given of the nature of the imagined Universe, ccompanied by maps and diagrams of the world before and after the cataclyusms of The War of the Gods and the Downfall of Numenor. The first map of Beleriend is also reproduced and discussed. In The Annals of Valinor and The Annals of Beleriend we are shown how the chronology of the First Age was moulded: and the tale is told of Aelfwine, the Englishman who voyaged into the True West and came to Tol Eressea, Lonely Isle, where he learned the ancient history of Elves and Men.

The first ever publication of J.R.R. Tolkien''s final writings on Middle-earth, covering a wide range of subjects and perfect for those who have read and enjoyed The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, and want to learn more about Tolkien''s magnificent world. It is well known that J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings in 1954-5. What may be less known is that he continued to write about Middle-earth in the decades that followed, right up until the years before his death in 1973. For him, Middle-earth was part of an entire world to be explored, and the writings in The Nature of Middle-earth reveal the journeys that he took as he sought to better understand his unique creation. From sweeping themes as profound as Elvish immortality and reincarnation, and the Powers of the Valar, to the more earth-bound subjects of the lands and beasts of Númenor, the geography of the Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor, and even who had beards! This new collection, which has been edited by Carl F. Hostetter, one of the world''s leading Tolkien experts, is a veritable treasure-trove offering readers a chance to peer over Professor Tolkien''s shoulder at the very moment of discovery: and on every page, Middle-earth is once again brought to extraordinary life.

Published to celebrate the first ever ''letter from Father Christmas'' in 1920, this beautiful oversized edition of Tolkien''s famous illustrated letters from ''Father Christmas'', includes a wealth of charming letters, pictures and decorated envelopes, and promises to be a festive feast for Tolkien fans of all ages. Every December an envelope bearing a stamp from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien''s children. Inside would be a letter in strange spidery handwriting and a beautiful coloured drawing or some sketches. The letters were from Father Christmas. They told wonderful tales of life at the North Pole: how all the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place; how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas''s house into the dining-room; how he broke the Moon into four pieces and made the Man in it fall into the back garden; how there were wars with the troublesome horde of goblins who lived in the caves beneath the house! Sometimes the Polar Bear would scrawl a note, and sometimes Ilbereth the Elf would write in his elegant flowing script, adding yet more life and humour to the stories. No reader, young or old, can fail to be charmed by the inventiveness and ''authenticity'' of Tolkien''s Letters from Father Christmas. This classic festive book of Tolkien''s enchanting Father Christmas letters, written to his children between the 1920s and the 1940s, has been reworked into a sumptuous, new standard hardback edition. It contains high-quality digital reproductions of his wonderful letters and pictures, including a number of them appearing in this format for the first time, and a revised introduction by Baillie Tolkien.

In the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin are two of the greatest powers in the world. There is Morgoth of the uttermost evil, unseen in this story but ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband. Deeply opposed to Morgoth is Ulmo, second in might only to Manwë, chief of the Valar.

Volume 2 of the most comprehensive in-depth companion to Tolkien''s life and works ever published. This volume includes a superlative day-by-day chronology of Tolkien''s life, presenting the most detailed biographical record available. The J. R. R. Tolkien Companion and Guide is a comprehensive handbook to one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century. One of two volumes comprising this definitive work, the Reader''s Guide is an indispensable introduction to J. R. R. Tolkien''s life, writings, and art. It includes histories and discussions of his works; analyses of the components of his vast ''Silmarillion'' mythology; brief biographies of persons important in his life; accounts of places he knew; essays on topics such as Tolkien''s interests and attitudes towards contemporary issues, ideas found in his works, adaptations, and invented languages; and checklists of his published works, his poetry, his pictorial art, and translations of his writings.

Unavailable for more than 70 years, this early but important work is published for the first time with Tolkien’s ‘Corrigan’ poems and other supporting material, including a prefatory note by Christopher Tolkien.