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A quick rundown of this product’s key features:
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.
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: S. Cranow
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The Shaping of Midguard…Tolkien Style
Review: Once again I feel like I am rereading part of JRR Tolkien’s Silmarrillion for the umpteenth time. I read these books to get some stories that somehow never made it to publication. What I get are differing versions of the same stories sometimes with similar event and at other times with different event. Though the names may change the song remains the same.In this volume Christopher gives us a tales from the Early Silmarilion, the Quenta, Ambarkanta, Earliest annals of Valinor and the Earliest Annals of Beleriend. This volume takes us all the way till the end of the first age. Starting with the Valar coming down to Arda and Melkor’s rebellion. We are taken through the capturing of Melkor by Tulkas and the awakening of the Elves an being lead to Valinor by Orome the Vala of the Hunt. We are told how when Melkor was released he deceives the Noldoli called Gnomes into turning against the Valar. Oh by the way there were three groups of elves that came to Valinor. The Quenda, who were lead by Ingwe, Teleri, and the Noldoli, who were lead by Finwe. By the way with the Noldoli there are enough names beginning with F to remember that it can get rather confusing. In any case after Melkor is freed he goes about destroying the two trees with the help of Ungoliant. From them the Silmarrion are created. He covets those as well and steals them. Later on when Ungoliant and Melkor feud over splitting the Silmarils, Melkor slays Ungoliant. Melkor holes up in Angaband creating Orcs, Balrogs and Dragon.Feanor who crafted the Jewels wants them back so he and his Noldoli steal ships from the Teleri and go there. The Gods try to stop them and make them ask for pardon but to no avail. They reach the northern wastelands and wage war against Angaband. Gothmog the head Balrog clays Feanor and Maidros his eldest son his hung suspended by his wrist only to be rescued later on. Manwe in the mean time send Throndor the Eagle to keep an eye on things. The Valar have disavowed the Noldoli who went to the Earth. Aule is especially upset with them. Over the years there will be many battle/The tale of Beren and Luthien is retold as is the Lay of Hurin’s Chikldren. The Fall of Gondolin is reiterated once again as well. At least this time we are treated to a conclusion. Beren and Luthien gave birth to Elwing , while Tuor and Idril would give birth to Earedel. Survivors of Gondolin and Thingols realm would marry and from that birth Dior would be born. Maidros a son of feanor vows to ge the Silmarils back and there is a fight. Elwing takes off in the flight of a bird while Earedel builds Wingalot, a swan shaped boat. Earedel will contact the Valar on behalf of man and elf and Manwe’s son will take on Melkor. We all know the end that evil loses and good wins but there is a prophecy that the light of the two tree Silpion and Laurelin will return, the Gods will reign over all and man and elf shall dwell side by in the end of days. All this happens after Melkor’s return and a final battle. Until then Melkor is locked beyond the doors of time bound by hand and foot.
Reviewer: KJE
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nice addition.
Review: It’s Tolkien so you cannot go wrong. Needed itfor my Tolkien shelf. 🫶🏼
Reviewer: mitchell a.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Harder to read than Lost Tales
Review: new book fast delivery Hard reading as expected. some gems to be gleaned for sure not sure if I’m going to pursue this direction { purchasing more of The History of Middle Earth} we will see after I get thru this book, might be more tedious than i can handle I prefer the Lost Tales or Unfinished Tales, less confusing, or of course the main books, Rings, Silmarillion,ect. Thx
Reviewer: michael p. burns
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Looks Great!
Review: This is what Storms had to say about his own book. I have not read it, just thought it would be helpful for people considering to buy such an expensive book that’s out of print. This review comes from a list by Storms highlighting his “bottom ten list.” The entire article can be found here:[…]”[His book as number 10]: No, this isn’t a joke. Neither is it a bad attempt at false humility. It’s simply a bad book. Forgive me for having written it. I suppose a good portion of what I wrote is o.k., but that doesn’t justify the rest of the nonsense I put forth in this regrettable effort to undermine people’s confidence in the healing power of God today. It’s out of print (thank God), so don’t write me asking for an autographed copy.”
Reviewer: Yukon Jack
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Quite a good, Riveting Read
Review: A very concise,in-depth Look at the development of Tolkien’s original conceptions of Middle Earth;including the history of the beginnings of the Elves,Men and Dwarves;His earliest ideas,of how they were;their relations to the enemy:their desperate struggles to overcome Him,and so forth. Cristopher Tolkien,Clearly Describes how his Father’s Ideas gradually changed,and were modified,with certain Things,as the story progressed. Quite a good,Riveting Read,all around. Nothing that I can Think of,that I Really Dislike, with This. I would recommend this book to anybody who Loves Tolkien,or just really good fantasy,that will hold their attention,which it does.
Reviewer: jeremy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Its the history
Review: Very good book.classic!
Reviewer: Kenneth
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Book
Review: Another great book from the series.
Reviewer: M. Bertilson
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: good
Review: I purchased this for my grandaughter for her birthday, and since she is really into Tolkein, I’m very pleased with the purchase, tho I have not opened the package, and will just send it on to her. Service was good.
Reviewer: isami
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Tout amoureux de l’œuvre de Tolkien, aime à se plonger dans la Terre du Milieu 😉 En version anglaise, l’Oeuvre-Monde qui est complète via ses 13 volumes, nous offre tous les merveilleux détails de ce monde qui nous happe… Pour ma part, l’anglais n’étant pas ma langue native, j’ai préféré refaire ce voyage en partant de ce volume particulier, parce que je connaissais très bien son contenu en français, j’y ai trouvé le même plaisir… J’ai ainsi ensuite, avec plus d’aisance -enfin- pu aborder ceux qui n’ont jamais été traduits ! L’écriture de JRR Tolkien tout comme les annotations de son fils Chirstopher sont tellement parfaits que je ne peux que vous conseiller de suivre la même voie, car même s’aider par moments d’un dictionnaire n’est pas une contrainte, je peux vous l’assurer 😉
Reviewer: Krümelmonster75
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Nicht nur eine Sammlung von unveröffentlichten Geschichten: HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH ist die Chronik einer jahrzehntelangen literarischen Sisyphos-Arbeit. Im Zentrum steht die Evolution der Themen und Geschichten durch viele verschiedene, z.T. widersprüchliche oder schwer zu entziffernde Texte und Textfragmente. Wer sich darauf einlässt, wird mit einem tiefgehenden Verständnis für Tolkiens Lebenswerk belohnt. Anspruchsvolle Lektüre, ungeeignet für Leser, die nur neue Geschichten aus dem HdR-Universum suchen.
Reviewer: sofia.facchetti
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Review: Ottimo
Reviewer: Shane
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Have not read this book yet until I complete the collection of all 12.
Reviewer: Guilherme Henrique Goulart Leal
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
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Price effective as of Mar 29, 2025 05:33:34 UTC
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