Most Popular Books by J. R. R. Tolkien

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of first publication, a new de luxe edition of The Silmarillion, featuring the revised, reset text, a colour frontispiece illustration, bound in special materials and presented in a matching slipcase. 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. Included in the book are several shorter works. The Ainulindale is a myth of the Creation and in the Valaquenta the nature and powers of each of the gods is described. The Akallabeth 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. For the first time, we are publishing a deluxe edition of this pivotal work, featuring the revised, corrected text and including, by way of an introduction, a fascinating letter written by Tolkien in 1951 in which he gives a full explanation of how he conceived the early Ages of Middle-earth. Quarter-bound, and set in a matching slipcase, this attractive edition will prove a fine addition to any Tolkien collection.

"The Hobbit: Illustrated" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a timeless fantasy adventure that follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is swept away from his comfortable life in the Shire into an epic quest. Illustrated with enchanting artwork, this edition brings to life the vivid landscapes and memorable characters of Middle-earth. As Bilbo embarks on an unexpected adventure with a group of dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield, he encounters trolls, goblins, elves, and dragons, each more perilous than the last. Along the way, Bilbo discovers courage and resourcefulness he never knew he possessed, facing challenges that test his wit and resolve. Tolkien''s masterful storytelling and rich imagination transport readers to a world of magic and wonder, where heroes are forged in the fires of adversity and the smallest of creatures can change the course of history. With stunning illustrations that capture the essence of Tolkien''s fantastical universe, "The Hobbit: Illustrated" is a must-have edition for fans of epic fantasy and adventure.

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.

Available for the first time in one volume, this is the definitive collection of Tolkien’s five acclaimed modern classic ‘fairie’ tales in the vein of The Hobbit, fully corrected and reset for this edition.

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. Farmer Giles of Ham did not look like a hero. He was fat and red-bearded and enjoyed a slow, comfortable life. Then one day a rather deaf and short-sighted giant blundered on to his land. More by luck than skill, Farmer Giles managed to scare him away. The people of the village cheered: Farmer Giles was a hero. His reputation spread far and wide across the kingdom. So it was natural that when the dragon Chrysophylax visited the area it was Farmer Giles who was expected to do battle with it!

First ever illustrated eBook of the classic bestseller featuring more than 60 colour paintings and pencil drawings by the award-winning artist, Alan Lee, Conceptual Designer on Peter Jackson’s THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.

"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.

This highly respected anthology of medieval English literature features poetry, prose and popular tales from Arthurian legend and classical mythology. Includes notes on each extract, appendices, and an extensive glossary by J. R. R. Tolkien.

The official Tolkien calendar features 16 magnificent paintings by renowned painter Ted Nasmith, selected from "The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is in this dense and often neglected masterpiece that the entire cosmology of the background for "The Hobbit" and, particularly, "The Lord of the Rings" is documented.

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.

Vorbei ist es mit dem beschaulichen Leben des angesehenen Bilbo Beutlin, seit er sich auf ein Abenteuer eingelassen hat, das Hobbitvorstellungen bei weitem übersteigt. Nicht nur, daß er sich auf eine Reise von der Dauer eines Jahres begibt, er läßt sich auch vom Zwergenkönig und seinen Genossen als Meisterdieb unter Vertrag nehmen und verpflichtet sich, den Zwergen bei der Rückgewinnung ihres geraubten Schatzes zu helfen. ”Tolkien hat das Verdienst, im nüchternen 20. Jahrhundert die Welt der Drachen, Elben, Zauberer und Könige wieder transparent zu machen.“ u003eSalzburger NachrichtenThe Hobbit

This year''s Tolkien desk diary continues in a popular tradition yet this is a very special year, for 2005 is the 50th anniversary since the first publication of The Lord of the Rings. The Tolkien Diary 2005 features 13 paintings and illustrations by J. R. R. Tolkien himself, some of these not appearing in print for many years. The paintings are based on Tolkien''s classic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, and provide a fascinating insight into how Tolkien himself imagined the world of Middle-earth would look. The images are accompanied by informative text which explains how they relate to the story and offers information on their content and history.

Frodo the hobbit and his eight companions undertake a perilous quest to destroy the One Ring and break the power of the Dark Lord before he can overcome the peoples of Middle Earth.