The Fall of Numenor: and Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth

$52.99 AUD $25.00 AUD

Availability: in stock. Ships within 1 working day.

J.R.R. Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one stunning, hardback volume.
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Format: Hardback

Number of Pages: 352


J.R.R. Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume. 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-dur 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 Numenor. 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 Numenoreans' 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 Numenor 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 J.R.R. Tolkien from the various published texts, with new illustrations in watercolour and pencil by the doyen of Tolkien art, Alan Lee.
Vendor: Book Grocer
Type: Hardback
SKU: 9780008537838
Availability : In Stock Pre order Out of stock
Description
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Format: Hardback

Number of Pages: 352


J.R.R. Tolkien's writings on the Second Age of Middle-earth, collected for the first time in one volume. 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-dur 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 Numenor. 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 Numenoreans' 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 Numenor 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 J.R.R. Tolkien from the various published texts, with new illustrations in watercolour and pencil by the doyen of Tolkien art, Alan Lee.
Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
67%
(2)
0%
(0)
33%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
S
Sarah
Christmas gift purchases

The books were all of great to perfect, quality and all recipients were thrilled with their gifts.
Love the idea of Slight printing marks and the fact that you are willing to send images, before purchase.
The one book that had this was still perfectly presented and the mark on the edge did not the quality of the book.
Thank you
I will return.

J
Jason
Book Grocer - my favourite online shopping destination

The only thing stopping me from ordering books from BG more often is a lack of shelf space for said books. These chaps are quick to provide the goods when ordered. Highly recommended.

J
Justin
A History of Middle-earth's Second Age.

"The Fall of Numenor" is well presented, with colour plates & pencilled illustrations by Alan Lee. A remainder mark was present. It is a synthesised work, compiled from Tolkien's published writings & letters by Brian Sibley, stitching together a narrative & history of Middle-earth's Second Age. Sibley's claim to Tolkien scholarship stems from his adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings" into a radio serial for the BBC in 1981, & unfortunately, some of his choices for this work are regrettable. Most notably, he used a history of Galadriel from "Unfinished Tales" that is incompatible with the published "Lord of the Rings" & was footnoted as such by Tolkien's son (& literary executor), Christopher (the superseded "Amroth being the son of Celeborn & Galadriel" plotline). The sources are referenced in the notes for each chapter (collected at the end of the book); there is no index.

As a history, it seems flawed, with some of its components taken from superseded sources (only identified as such in the notes)- I suspect Mr Sibley's desire to enrich the narrative led to inclusion of these sources, enabling him to flesh out otherwise sparse entries.

So I rate the book 3/5 stars; the fulfilment of the order, quality of the merchandise & ability to collect from my local store gets 5/5 stars.