The Silmarillion

by Tolkien, J. R. R.
ISBN: 9780618391110
4.8 (6)
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Overview

The tales of The Silmarillion were the underlying inspiration and source of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing; he worked on the book throughout his life but never brought it to a final form. Long preceding in its origins The Lord of the Rings, it is the story of the First Age of Tolkien's world, the ancient drama to which characters in The Lord of the RIngs look back and in which some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part.

The title Silmarillion is shortened from Quenta Silmarillion, The History of the Silmarils, the three great jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of the Elves, in which he imprisoned the light of the Two Trees that illumined Valinor, the land of the gods. When Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, destroyed the Trees, that light lived on only in the Silmarils; Morgoth seized them and set them in his crown, guarded in the impenetrable fortress of Angband in the north of Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the history of the rebellion of Feanor and his people against the gods, their exile in Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all the heroisim of Elves and Men, against the great Enemy.

The book includes several other, shorter works beside The Silmarillion proper. Preceding it are Ainulindale, the myth of Creation, and Valaquenta, in which the nature and powers of each of the gods is set forth. After The Silmarillion is Akallabeth, the story of the downfall of the great island kingdom of Numenor at the end of the Second Age; completing the volume is Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, in which the events of The Lord of the Rings are treated in the manner of The Silmarillion.

This new edition of The Silmarillion contains the revised and corrected second edition text and, by way of introduction, a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1951, which provides a brilliant exposition of his conception of the earlier Ages. It also contains almost fifty full-color illustrations by the artist Ted Nasmith, many of which appear for the first time.

  • Format: Hardcover
  • Author: Tolkien, J. R. R.
  • ISBN: 9780618391110
  • Condition: New
  • Dimensions: 9.70 x 1.30
  • Number Of Pages: 416
  • Publication Year: 2004

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  • The deep history of Middle Earth

    Jamie F. - 1 year 8 months ago

    If you have read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, your next stop in Middle Earth has to be with The Silmarillion. Professor Tolkien takes us way back to the beginning of time through the first age which tells the tale of the trials of the Noldor elves in both Valinor and Middle Earth. Find out who Feanor is and the creation of the Silmarils, wage battle against the forces of Morgoth and his chief lieutenant Sauron. Read the Great Lays of Beleriand. Finally, travel from Middle Earth to Numenor and discover the great kings of men and their downfall. The language can be daunting at first, but if you stick with it, the rewards of reading this timeless classic is very great indeed!

    HPB Staff Review
  • The Silmarillion: A Fantastical Work of Art

    Marilyn H. - 5 years 3 months ago

    For lovers of beauty, this glossy coffee table book is illuminated with forty-eight dramatic paintings by Ted Nasmith. For lovers of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, this scholarly lifework by J.R.R. Tolkien narrates the origin mythology and heroic legends of ancient Middle-earth. It's a perilous world wherein to dwell, but a gorgeous place to visit.

  • "For in those days Valinor still remained in the world visible"...

    Halmir B. - 5 years 5 months ago

    Tolkien's vision of the First Age is essential for gaining a better understanding of the history of the world in which the Lord of the Rings takes place. #SpringPicks

  • Very entertaining

    HPB S. - 6 years 3 months ago

    As the creation story to the middle earth series this book is imaginative and entertaining. Anyone who knows the trilogy of the rings would enjoy this story. It also opens the way to the numerous books in the series by setting the platform of creation for good and evil in middle earth

  • more a history than novel

    Jeff A. - 6 years 6 months ago

    think of it more like a history of the First age than a cohesive story. If you are not a fan of LOTR or Hobbit, this isn't for you. But if you are a fan, this book fills in a lot of holes and enriches the stories you read.