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How to Read The Lord of the Rings In Order

Now that Rings of Power has ended, it's time to do your homework.

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If you haven’t read the series, how I envy you! Newcomers are in for an unforgettable reading experience. You’ll always remember the first time you encountered these moving, masterfully imagined epics about the struggle between good and evil, the delicate balance of death and immortality, and the addictive danger of power. But The Lord of the Rings is just the tip of the iceberg; Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium encompasses thousands of years and dozens of other works, meaning that if you dive in, it may be quite a long time before you make it there and back again.

What’s the best path for reading your way through, you ask? It’s a simple question, but one bound to rile up Tolkien fans, who love and study the author’s works with serious devotion. I know because I’m one of them. Yes, dear reader, you caught me—I’ve been a Tolkienite since age eight, when I got my hands on The Hobbit and it changed my little brain forever. I grew up in Tolkien’s wide, wild world in the way that other members of my generation grew up in Narnia or Hogwarts; these books are an enduring part of my heart and identity, and they can be for you, too.

Below, I’ve charted a choose your own adventure course through the lore, with exit points for the casual reader and bonus material for the newly converted Tolkienite. Additionally, for anyone looking to do their homework about the Rings of Power lore , I've flagged the books that will enrich your viewing of the series. What kind of Tolkien reader will you be? Time to start reading and find out. (And once you've finished, check out our maps to Dune , Game of Thrones , and The Wheel of Time next.)

Mariner Books The Hobbit

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” With this immortal line, the journey through Middle-earth begins. We recommend starting your adventure with The Hobbit , Tolkien’s first published foray into Middle-earth, before moving onto The Lord of the Rings proper. The Hobbit is a rollicking good read, and a superb place to get your feet wet. This is the tale of Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, homebody hobbit (a race of short, furry-footed people who live in underground homes). When an itinerant wizard and a company of dwarves come knocking, Bilbo is swept into their expedition to the Lonely Mountain, where the dwarves intend to recapture their people’s vast treasure from the dangerous dragon Smaug. The treacherous journey awakens Bilbo’s thirst for adventure, places him in a host of thrillingly sticky situations, and sends him packing with a mysterious magical ring…

Mariner Books The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings begins in earnest with The Fellowship of the Ring . When Bilbo Baggins suddenly disappears from his 111th birthday party, his beloved ring falls into the hands of his young heir, Frodo Baggins. The wizard Gandalf confirms that this is the One Ring, lost by the Dark Lord Sauron long ago, and urges Frodo to spirit it to the elven stronghold of Rivendell. In Rivendell, the Fellowship of the Ring assembles: nine walkers of different races, banded together on a quest to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mordor, thus saving the world from an ancient, cosmic evil. The perilous journey across mountains, forests, and rivers tests them, endangers them, and ultimately divides them.

Mariner Books The Two Towers

The saga continues in The Two Towers , which sees the members of the Fellowship scattered to the winds. Following their capture by bloodthirsty orcs, Merry and Pippin disappear into foreboding Fangorn Forest, where they take up with sentient trees; meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reconnect with a changed Gandalf, then come to the aid of Rohan’s struggling people. Frodo and Sam, en route to Mordor, form an uneasy alliance with the wretched creature Gollum, who guides them to their destination while plotting to steal the ring. As this installment ends, the shadow of Sauron grows across the lands, while armies everywhere steel themselves for a climactic battle.

Mariner Books The Return of the King

The trilogy concludes thrillingly with The Return of the King . As Frodo falls dangerously under the sway of the ring’s dark magic during the hazardous journey through Mordor, Aragorn and his forces stage a last stand at the Black Gate of Mordor, and Frodo makes a seismic sacrifice to destroy the ring once and for all. Ultimately, Aragorn steps into his destiny as King of Gondor and peace reigns, but readers coming to the series from the films will be disarmed by the hobbits’ homecoming. Still in thrall to the evil Saruman, the Shire needs a champion, forcing the hobbits to mount a rebellion in the fateful Scouring of the Shire. Frodo, beleaguered by the physical and psychological toll of the ring, passes into the Undying Lands to find peace, and harmony settles over Middle-earth.

If you're getting into Tolkien after Rings of Power , you'll want to start your coursework at the back of The Return of the King with the appendices, where Tolkien provides a chronology of the Second and Third Ages. Rings of Power dramatizes the Second Age, which includes such memorable episodes as the rise and fall of Númenor, as well as The Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Per the terms of their deal with the Tolkien estate, Amazon only owns the on-screen rights to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit , and the appendices, so pay close attention as you work your way through—you'll likely remember a lot of this action from the small screen.

Mariner Books The Silmarillion

As epic as The Lord of the Rings may feel, the series spans just a fraction of Middle-earth’s history. In The Silmarillion , his mythopoetic masterpiece, Tolkien takes us back to the dawn of time, unspooling legends like the creation of the universe, the awakening of the elves, and the rise of Middle-earth’s greatest villains. For fans of the Peter Jackson films, a shred of this material will seem familiar, as Galadriel’s Fellowship of the Ring prologue recounts some of these stories (like the forging of the Rings of Power). Dense with lore and lusciously imagined, The Silmarillion isn’t for the faint of heart, but it rewards devoted study, shading in the millennia of history behind the core legendarium of Middle-earth. Amazon's deal with the Tolkien estate doesn't encompass the rights to The Silmarillion , so Rings of Power doesn't tread here, but it's still well worth your time, as your enjoyment of Second Age stories will no doubt be enriched by their First Age context.

Mariner Books Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. If you’re confident you've been brought up to speed on Middle-earth by now, feel free to exit through the gift shop. If you’re hooked on Tolkien and eager to keep exploring, come sit by me . Unfinished Tales consists of stories and essays Tolkien failed to complete in his lifetime, stitched together in a more coherent form by Christopher Tolkien, the author’s son and literary executor. Some of these stories recount events from The Silmarillion , while others expand our knowledge of Middle-earth with additional context, like a deep dive into the origins of wizards or a more detailed narrative of how Isildur lost the One Ring. Unfinished Tales is another valuable resource for students of Rings of Power , as “A Description of the Island of Númenor” comes in handy when the show sets up shop in that fateful location.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Children of Húrin

The first of three standalone “great tales” set in Middle-earth’s First Age, The Children of Húrin is—you guessed it—another unfinished manuscript salvaged by Christopher Tolkien. Long before the One Ring was forged, a great warrior named Húrin dared to defy Morgoth, the Lucifer-esque fallen god who terrorized Middle Earth in its early millennia (and later trained a fearsome lieutenant in Sauron). As punishment for his defiance, Húrin was immobilized on a mountaintop, where he paid the ultimate price: day in and day out, Morgoth forced him to watch the evils visited upon his children, culminating in their death and disappearance, as well as some downright Oedipal tragedy. The Children of Húrin is heavy, by Tolkien’s standards, but like other auxiliary tales, it rounds out The Silmarillion with lush additional detail.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Beren and Lúthien

Tolkien, you ol' softie. The second of the great tales is the tragic romance of Beren, a mortal man, and Lúthien, an immortal elf maiden. In order to win Lúthien's hand in marriage from her disapproving father, Beren set to the monumental task of robbing Morgoth of a Silmaril (three prized jewels of the elves, containing divine light). Together the couple achieved the task, but Beren died immediately after, inspiring such grief in Lúthien that she too laid down and died. In the halls of the gods, Lúthien shared an elegiac song with the god of death. Moved by her lamentation, he restored the couple to life, on the condition that they would both die a mortal death. This romantic fable is a foundational myth of The Silmarillion , as well as a deliberate mirroring of the romance between Aragorn and Arwen—herself a descendent of Lúthien, who, like her ancestor, would marry a mortal man, choosing “both the sweet and the bitter." If you read only one of the great tales, make it this one.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Fall of Gondolin

In the third and final volume of the great tales, Tolkien sets his sights on Gondolin, a secret elven utopia betrayed and destroyed during the First Age. When Gondolin’s location was betrayed to Morgoth, the vengeful god sent an army of orcs, balrogs, and dragons to siege the city. Gondolin’s epic fall calls to mind the sack of Troy, and makes for riveting reading. Survivors of the disaster would become ancestors of both Elrond and Aragorn. The Fall of Gondolin isn’t required reading, but for Tolkien fans who particularly love his elvish lore, it’s a slam dunk.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The History of Middle-earth

After Unfinished Tales was published to great critical and commercial interest, Christopher Tolkien kept exploring his father’s archive. He anthologized his findings into The History of Middle-earth, a downright massive twelve-volume series containing Tolkien’s vast droves of auxiliary lore, from stories to poems to song cycles. Some of these volumes expand The Lord of the Rings , while others expand The Silmarillion . None are earth-shattering, but for the Tolkien completionist, they’re a welcome journey back into Middle-earth, and an opportunity to consider familiar events from a fresh perspective.

The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales From the Second Age

The Tolkien machine keeps on trucking with this new volume of Second Age tales, due out in November. Is it any coincidence that this book should hit shelves right as Amazon brings this era of Middle-earth to the small screen? Surely it's not, but there's no such thing as too much Tolkien. The author famously described the Second Age as "a dark age, and not very much of its history is (or need be) told," but clearly, there was more story than first met the eye. Stitched into one comprehensive volume by editor Brian Sibley, along with new illustrations by frequent Tolkien flyer Alan Lee, this book will be an invaluable resource for fans eager to dig deep on Rings of Power .

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth

If you’ve made it this far and you still can’t get enough Tolkien, add Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth to your coffee table rotation. This hefty tome explores the visual dimensions of Tolkien’s oeuvre: illustrations, maps, letters, and manuscripts, all of it paired with essays tracing the mythological influences behind Tolkien’s monumental creative endeavors. It’s an excellent supplement to the books you know and love, as well as a sumptuous collector’s item any Tolkien fan would cherish.

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How to Read The Lord of the Rings Books in Order

A chronological guide to tolkien's middle-earth literature..

J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga is a seminal work of fantasy that spawned one of the best film trilogies ever created. Tolkien's story of good vs. evil is built around timeless themes of friendship and heroism, and now, with Rings of Power heading into season 2 and new Lord of the Rings movies in the works, there's no better time to explore the rich history of Middle-earth.

For those who’ve yet to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga (and its companion books), we’ve put together this guide on how to read them in order, chronologically or by release date.

How Many The Lord of the Rings Books Are There in the Series?

There are four books in Tolkien’s main Middle-earth saga : The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, Return of the King).

Several other collections and companion books have been published since the author's death in 1973, and we’ve included the seven most relevant on the list below.

Lord of the Rings Book Sets

Whether you're just diving into the LoTR books for the first time or are looking to add additional books to your collection, there are a few great book sets to add to your shelf. Our favorite option available is the leather-bound version, but there are many different styles available.

The Lord of the Rings Books Reading Order

Below we’ve split Tolkien’s Middle-earth works into two sections: The Lord of the Rings saga and additional reading. The Hobbit and LotR books chronicle the stories of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and are listed by their narrative chronology; the additional reading section contains Middle-earth-related works published after the death of Tolkien and is ordered by publication date.

With potential series newcomers in mind, these brief plot synopses contain only mild spoilers such as broad plot points and character introductions.

1. The Hobbit

The Hobbit is Tolkien’s first Middle-earth book by in-universe chronology and real-world release date. The tale of Bilbo Baggins was first published in 1937, 17 years before the first volume of The Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit follows Thorin and Company — Bilbo, Gandalf, and 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield — as they set off to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestral home beneath Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, we’re introduced to Gollum and discover how Bilbo came into possession of the One Ring. The adventure culminates in the Battle of Five Armies, which lent its name to the final Hobbit film.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

Nearly two decades after The Hobbit, Tolkien published the first volume of The Lord of the Rings. The saga was conceived as a single story and written across 9,250 pages between 1938 and 1955. It was edited down and separated into three volumes for publication, with each volume containing two books.

Fellowship kicks off in earnest during Bilbo’s 111th birthday, when the hobbit bequeaths the One Ring to his cousin Frodo Baggins. Unlike in the movie, there’s a 17-year gap between Bilbo’s birthday and the beginning of Frodo’s adventure when Gandalf urges him to take the ring away from the Shire.

Frodo is joined by various companions along the way, leading to the formation of The Fellowship of the Ring. The members of the Fellowship — Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gandalf — are tasked with destroying the One Ring in the same place it was forged: the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor.

By the end of Fellowship, Frodo faces a betrayal and decides to set off toward Mordor on his own, though he’s joined by a stubbornly loyal Samwise.

3. The Two Towers

The Two Towers, the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, continues the journey of the Fellowship, which is now split into two parties: Frodo and Sam in one, the remaining members in the other. Part of the Fellowship fends off orcs and confronts the corrupted wizard Saruman, while Frodo and Sam encounter Gollum and continue their perilous quest toward Mordor.

4. The Return of the King

The final volume of The Lord of the Rings concludes the Fellowship’s journey to Mordor. Our heroes battle with the dark armies of Sauron, while Sam and Frodo see their mission through. Following the climax, the hobbits face one last adversary back at the Shire — a sequence omitted from the film adaptation.

We learn the fates of each character and bid them farewell as Frodo's journey reaches its end.

Additional LotR Reading

5. the silmarillion.

The Silmarillion is the first Middle-earth work published after Tolkien’s death in 1973. The five-part collection of stories is described as a legendarium of Arda, the world in which Middle-earth exists. The vast collection of works was edited by Tolkien’s son, Christopher, and published in 1977.

The myths and stories within The Silmarillion cover the history of Arda from its creation through the Third Age (when The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place).

6. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth

Unfinished Tales is a collection of over a dozen stories and Middle-earth histories edited and published by Christopher Tolkien. The book is separated into four parts and includes stories about the origins of Middle-earth’s five wizards, the alliance between Gondor and Rohan, why Gandalf orchestrated the events of The Hobbit, and Sauron’s search for the One Ring preceding The Lord of the Rings.

7. The History of Middle-earth

The History of Middle-earth is a twelve-volume series published between 1983 and 1996. The 5,400-page collection, again edited by Christopher Tolkien, compiles and analyzes The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, and other Middle-earth writings.

The younger Tolkien chose not to include analyses of The Hobbit in The History of Middle-earth; that can be found in The History of The Hobbit, a similar work edited by Tolkien scholar John D. Rateliff and published in 2007.

8. The Children of Húrin

The Children of Húrin is the complete version of Of Túrin Turambar, one of the stories published in The Silmarillion. Set during The First Age, The Children of Húrin tells the story of Húrin Thalion and his children, Túrin and Nienor. It’s a tragic tale that explores the fallout of Húrin’s defiance of Morgoth, the main villain of Middle-earth before Sauron rose to power.

9. Beren and Lúthien

Beren and Lúthien, which first appeared in a reduced form within The Silmarillion, is a love story set during the First Age. Christopher Tolkien compiled various versions of the story to create a single narrative following the adventures of the mortal man Beren and the immortal Elf Lúthien.

Beren and Lúthien are said to be inspired by Tolkien’s real-life romance with his wife Edith; the characters’ names are etched into the couple’s gravestone beneath their birth names.

10. The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall of Gondolin is the complete version of a tale found within both The Silmarillion (Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin) and Unfinished Tales (Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin). It tells the story of Tuor, a man sent to Gondolin on a divine quest. The subsequent series of events, orchestrated by the god Ulmo, would lead to the defeat of Morgoth.

The Fall of Gondolin connects to The Lord of the Rings through Tuor's son Eärendil, who’d go on to father Elrond, the half-elf Lord of Rivendell who selects the nine members of Frodo’s party in Fellowship of the Ring.

The Fall of Gondolin is the last Middle-earth novel edited by Christopher Tolkien.

11. The Fall of Númenor

The Fall of Númenor, published in November 2022, is a collection of Tolkien’s works related to the Second Age of Middle-earth. The stories within have appeared in The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, though here they are assembled in a single volume by Brian Sibley, co-writer of the 1981 radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings and author of over a dozen Middle-earth-related works. (Christopher Tolkien, long the steward of his father’s work, died in 2020.)

Like other post-Lord of the Rings publications, The Fall of Númenor is a collection of writings rather than a single narrative. The stories cover the rise and fall of Númenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, the rise of Sauron, the building of Barad-dûr (Sauron's tower), and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

How to Read The Lord of the Rings By Release Date

• The Hobbit* (1937)
• The Fellowship of the Ring* (1954)
• The Two Towers* (1954)
• The Return of the King* (1955)
• The Silmarillion (1977)
• Unfinished Tales (1980)
• The History of Middle-earth (1983–1996)
• The Children of Húrin (2007)
• Beren and Lúthien (2017)
• The Fall of Gondolin (2018)
• The Fall of Númenor (2022)

*Part of the main four-book Lord of the Rings saga

Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

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The following list, compiled by Charles E. Noad and updated by Ian Collier and Daniel Helen, includes all of Tolkien’s major publications. It is ordered by date of publication.

A Middle English Vocabulary . The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1922. (This is presently bound in with Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose, ed. Kenneth Sisam, from Oxford University Press.) A glossary of Middle English words for students.

Sir Gawain & The Green Knight . Ed. J.R.R. Tolkien and E.V. Gordon. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1925. (Now available in a second edition edited by Norman Davis.) A modern translation of the Middle English romance from the stories of King Arthur.

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1937. (There was a second edition in 1951, and a third in 1966. Reprinted many times.) The bedtime story for his children famously begun on the blank page of an exam script that tells the tale of Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves in their quest to take back the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the dragon.

Farmer Giles of Ham . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1949. A faux-medieval tale of a farmer and his adventures with giants, dragons, and the machinations of courtly life.

The Fellowship of the Ring: being the first part of The Lord of the Rings . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1954. second edition, 1966. One of the world’s most famous books that continues the tale of the ring Bilbo found in The Hobbit and what comes next for it, him, and his nephew Frodo.

The Two Towers: being the second part of The Lord of the Rings . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1954. Second edition, 1966. The continuation of the story begun in The Fellowship of the Ring as Frodo and his companions continue their various journeys.

The Return of the King: being the third part of The Lord of the Rings . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1955. Second edition, 1966. The conclusion to the story that we began in The Fellowship of the Ring and the perils faced by Frodo et al.

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and Other Verses from the Red Book . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1962. A collection of sixteen ‘hobbit’ verses and poems taken from ‘The Red Book of Westmarch’.

Ancrene Wisse: The English Text of the Ancrene Riwle . Early English Text Society, Original Series No. 249. Oxford University Press, London, 1962. An edition of the Rule for a female medieval religious order.

Tree and Leaf . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1964. New edition, incorporating “Mythopoeia”, Unwin Hyman, London, 1988. Reprints Tolkien’s lecture “On Fairy-Stories” and his short story “Leaf by Niggle”.

Smith of Wootton Major . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1967. A short story of a small English village and its customs, its Smith, and his journeys into Faery.

The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle . Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1967; George Allen and Unwin, London, 1968. (Second edition in 1978.) A collection of eight songs, 7 from The Lord of the Rings , set to music by Donald Swann.

Bilbo’s Last Song . George Allen and Unwin, London, 1974. Originally produced as a poster image illustrated by Pauline Baynes, reprinted several times. First published as a hardback with new illustrations by Baynes by Unwin Hyman in 1990.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1975. Tolkien’s translations of these Middle English poems collected together.

The Father Christmas Letters . Ed. Baillie Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1976. A collection of Tolkien’s own illustrated letters from Father Christmas to his children.

The Silmarillion . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1977. Tolkien’s own mythological tales, collected together by his son and literary executor, of the beginnings of Middle-earth (and the tales of the High Elves and the First Ages) which he worked on and rewrote over more than 50 years.

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1979. Revised edition, HarperCollins, London, 1992. A collection of Tolkien’s various illustrations and pictures.

Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1980. More tales from Tolkien’s notes and drafts of the First, Second, and Third Ages of Middle-earth giving readers more background on parts of The Lord of the Rings and The S ilmarillion .

Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien . Ed. Humphrey Carpenter with Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1981. Tolkien wrote many letters and kept copies or drafts of them, giving readers all sorts of insights into his literary creations.

The Old English ‘Exodus’ . Ed. Joan Turville-Petre. The Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1981. Tolkien’s translation with notes and commentary of the Old English poem.

Mr. Bliss . George Allen & Unwin, London, 1982. A delightful illustrated story for children of a man’s misadventures.

Finn and Hengest: The Fragment and the Episode . Ed. Alan Bliss. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1982. Tolkien’s translations and commentaries on the Old English texts for lectures he delivered in the 1920s.

The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983. A collection of seven lectures or essays by Tolkien covering Beowulf , Gawain, and ‘On Fairy Stories’.

The Book of Lost Tales, Part I . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 1. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1983.

The Book of Lost Tales, Part II . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 2. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1984.

The Lays of Beleriand . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 3. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1985.

The Shaping of Middle-earth . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 4. George Allen and Unwin, London, 1986.

The Lost Road and Other Writings . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 5. Unwin Hyman, London, 1987.

The Return of the Shadow . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 6. Unwin Hyman, London, 1988.

The Treason of Isengard . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 7. Unwin Hyman, London, 1989.

The War of the Ring . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 8. Unwin Hyman, London, 1990.

Sauron Defeated . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 9. HarperCollins, London, 1992.

Morgoth’s Ring . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 10. HarperCollins, London, 1993.

The War of the Jewels . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 11. HarperCollins, London, 1994.

The Peoples of Middle-earth . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth : Vol. 12. HarperCollins, London, 1996.

Roverandom . Ed. Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond. HarperCollins, London, 1998. In the 1920s a toy dog was lost on a seaside holiday, to cheer his son up Tolkien created a story of the dog’s adventures.

Tales from the Perilous Realm . HarperCollins, London, 1997. (Contains: Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, “Leaf by Niggle” and Smith of Wootton Major.)

The Children of H ú rin . Ed. Christopher Tolkien with illustrations by Alan Lee. HarperCollins, London, 2007. Christopher Tolkien’s collation of the various versions his father wrote of the story of Túrin Turambar into one seamless novel.

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins, London 2009. Tolkien’s own versions of the story of Sigurd and his wife Gudrún, one of the great legends of northern antiquity.

The Fall of Arthur . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins, London 2013. A collation of Tolkien’s versions of the tale of the end of the Arthurian cycle wherein Arthur’s realm is destroyed by Mordred’s treachery, featuring commentaries and essays by Christopher Tolkien.

Beowulf : A Translation and Commentary, together with Sellic Spell . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins, London, 2014. The long-awaited Tolkien’s-own 1926 translation of Beowulf, coupled with his own commentary and selections from his lecture notes on the text, plus his ‘Sellic spell’ wherein Tolkien created an imaginary ‘asterisk’ source for the Beowulf of legend.

Tolkien On Fairy-stories . Ed. Verlyn Flieger and Douglas A. Anderson. HarperCollins, London, 2014.

The Story of Kullervo . Ed. Verlyn Flieger. HarperCollins, London, 2015. First publication of a previously unknown work of fantasy by Tolkien based on the Finnish Kalevala and which was the germ of the story of Túrin Turambar (with slight similarities to be found with Roverandom) with the author’s drafts, notes and lecture-essays on its source-work.

A Secret Vice: Tolkien on Invented Languages . Ed. Dimitra Fimi and Andrew Higgins. HarperCollins, London, 2016. A fuller publication of the 1931 lecture ‘A Hobby for the Home’ previously edited by Christopher Tolkien and published as ‘A Secret Vice’ in The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays . This new critical edition includes previously unpublished notes and drafts by Tolkien related to the lecture such as his ‘Essay on Phonetic Symbolism’. The editors examine these and discuss the central role of language to Tolkien’s creativity as well as uncovering the facts of when and where the lecture was given.

The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun . Ed. Verlyn Flieger. HarperCollins, London, 2016. Originally written in 1930 and long out of print in the UK, since its initial 1945 publication in The Welsh Review, 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. The title story is of a lord of Brittany who being childless seeks the help of a Corrigan or fairy but of course there is a price to pay.

Leaf by Niggle . HarperCollins, London, 2016. The first stand-alone edition of this short story and published to coincide with a touring stage production of the story, this also features an ‘afterword’ by Tom Shippey that was originally in 2008’s edition of Tales from the Perilous Realm .

Beren and Lúthien . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins, London, 2017. Painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts by Christopher Tolkien the publisher’s claim that this presented a fully continuous and standalone story has meant some readers expected a book more akin to The Children of Húrin , rather than collated variant versions of the tale in a ‘history in sequence’ mode.

The Fall of Gondolin . Ed. Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins, London, 2018. Similar to Beren and Lúthien , this book collates variant versions of this tale in a ‘history in sequence’ mode.

The Nature of Middle-earth . Ed. Carl Hostetter. HarperCollins, London, 2021. J.R.R. Tolkien’s final writings on Middle-earth, covering a wide range of subjects about the world and its peoples, and although there is a structure to the collected pieces the book is one to dip in and out of.

The Fall of Númenor . Ed. Brian Sibley. HarperCollins, London, 2022. Brian Sibley collates all of the published texts from the Second Age of Middle-earth with a unifying commentary.

The Battle of Maldon, together with The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth . Ed. Peter Grybauskas. HarperCollins, London, 2023. This book includes the very first publication of Tolkien’s prose version of the 10th Century alliterative poem “The Battle of Maldon”, together with his sequel to the battle, “The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth”.

There Are Way More Books in the Lord of the Rings Universe Than You'd Think

Tolkien has a lot of Middle-Earth stories.

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Part of the reason Lord of the Rings has lasted as long as it has is because the books contain the universal battle between good and evil forces, and center on a cast of characters you can't help but root for. If Lord of the Rings is still new to you, or maybe Rings of Power was your first introduction to Tolkien's vast world, you're not alone. There's no better time to get into Lord of the Rings w ith all the adaptations out (plus a healthy number of supporting materials, like The Simarillion ).

Whether you want to be a casual fan and simply read the main books, or go all in, consuming all of the other books and potential spin-offs and adaptations going along with the original series, there's a lot of Lord of the Rings content to consume. But first, here's how to find the books, along with any other Tolkien material you might want to read along with it.

Mariner Books The Hobbit (Prequel to the Lord of the Rings Series)

Although it's not part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit is a popular entry point for many due to its prequel story, which introduces Bilbo Baggins, the older cousin of the trilogy's main character, Frodo. In The Hobbit , Bilbo is sent on an journey by the wizard Gandalf to retrieve treasure from the formidable dragon Smaug. Most importantly, Bilbo finds a magical ring which turns a wearer invisible, but also stirs insanity in long-time users.

HMH Books for Young Readers The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1)

Here, we meet Frodo Baggins, younger cousin of Bilbo, who is bequeathed Bilbo's ring. Gandalf reveals the ring isn't just a cool party trick, but one of nine rings wanted by the Dark Lord Sauron. Frodo, along with his friends (now called the Fellowship of the Ring), leaves his home with the Ring.

Mariner Books The Two Towers (Book 2)

Sauron sends enemies to attack the Fellowship, and Merry and Pippin are captured. Gandalf becomes Gandalf the White, and notably Frodo meets Gollum, who initially had his Ring of Power before Bilbo.

Mariner Books The Return of the King (Book 3)

The final book in the main trilogy features the War of the Ring, and of course, the final defeat of Sauron. The major evil of the land is defeated, and we get to see the Fellowship each celebrate their win.

Mariner Books The Silmarillion

Outside of the main trilogy, The Silmarillion is a book describing the overall Middle-Earth history leading up to and including the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The book is one of many posthumous releases edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher. If you're a fan of some serious world-building and myth-making, it's a worthy read. But be warned, it's more of a textbook than a straightforward narrative.

Mariner Books Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth

Fans of Tolkien who want more of a deep cut of the author's work will enjoy Unfinished Tales . This collection of stories and essays contains incomplete writings from the Lord of the Rings author and although it contains much of what's in The Silmarillion , Unfinished Tales is a rough draft in comparison.

Brand: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Lord Of The Rings: A Reader's Companion

Meant to accompany a 50th anniversary one-volume edition of Lord of the Rings , this reader's companion provides commentary chapter by chapter, and even includes notes from Tolkien himself. Think of it like watching a movie with the director's commentary on.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The History Of Middle-Earth

For a look into Tolkien's creative process, check out The History of Middle-Earth . Christopher Tolkien dutifully shows how his father conceived of the Lord of the Rings universe and went about creating it. If you want to make your own epic fantasy, it could be an enlightening read.

Tolkien, J. R. R./ Tolkien, Christopher (EDT)/ Lee, Alan (ILT) The Tale of the Children of Húrin: Narn i Chin Húrin

This book is a story set in the First Age of Middle-Earth. Tolkien wrote it in the 1910s, but didn't complet it before his death in 1973. His son, Christopher Tolkien, later edited the work and published it in a more complete form.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Fall Of Gondolin

The second of three tales about the beginnings of Middle-Earth, The Fall of Gondolin chronicles the rise and fall of a secret city of elves.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Beren And Lúthien

For those who want a fantasy romance set within Middle-Earth, this book fits the bill. The third of the three stories set in the First Age follows a mortal man and immortal elven maiden and their various adventures.

The Nature Of Middle-Earth

If you really want to get into world-building, The Nature of Middle-Earth compiles Tolkien's thoughts on the finer details about Middle-Earth, like which beings have beards, how aging works for the various species, and even how various foods are made and eaten in the books.

The Fall of Númenor

While the First Age includes three major standalone stories, the Second Age is explained in The Fall of Númenor . Using the appendices in Lord of the Rings , the book compiles what Tolkien only notes vaguely throughout the original trilogy.

Mariner Books The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-Earth

Want to feel like you're in Middle-Earth? Why not learn Elvish, or any one of the fourteen languages Tolkien invented for the Lord of the Rings universe? This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know.

HarperCollins Publishers The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

For a closer look at one of Middle-Earth's more charming characters, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil includes poems and work surrounding a benevolent and mysterious figure in Lord of the Rings .

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Art Of The Hobbit

With images in both black and white and in color, Tolkien reimagined The Hobbit in his illustrations. The Art of the Hobbit is the perfect visual companion to go along with the prequel book.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT The Art Of The Lord Of The Rings

Tolkien didn't just write Lord of the Rings , he also created art for the world. They were intended as aids in the creative process, not necessarily to be published with the text. Fans will appreciate this inside look into the making of the series, and of course the pretty pictures.

Del Rey J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set

If you just want the prequel and the original trilogy, you can read them all in one handy boxed set.

Generic The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set

And in case you want a fancier edition, either as a gift or for yourself, there's a boxed set with beautiful illustrations on the covers for an added flair while you read.

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How To Read The Lord of the Rings & J.R.R. Tolkien's Other Books In Order

Your chronological guide to the complete Middle Earth saga.

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But then, as more information was revealed, it became clear that the new series wasn't going to be a retread of the movie series. In fact, creators J. D. Payne & Patrick McKay aren't allowed to depict any of the events that took place in the movies' timeline. Instead, the Tolkien estate gave them permission to create a prequel series , set during the Second Age of Middle-earth.

The Second Age spans more than 3000 years, and per The Guardian it begins with the dark lord Morgoth being banished, and ends with the defeat of the Dark Lord, Sauron, at the hand of Isildur—these events are depicted briefly in the opening sequence of the first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring . That intro aside, the main Lord of the Rings timeline involving Frodo, Gollum, the Fellowship et al, takes place during the Third Age, so any crossover will be minimal.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is being pitched as "a new epic journey in Middle-earth”, and will focus on events that author J.R.R. Tolkien only sketched out in broad strokes in his novels. But with that being said, the series will still be relying heavily on Tolkien's books, as well as their appendices, and a collection of short stories and essays titled Unfinished Tales . So in other words, the series isn't actually based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books, but does draw from many of the events referenced within them, as well as his other works.

If you're hoping to get caught up on the various source material before you binge the series, you may already be feeling overwhelmed—but fear not. While the backstory of Middle-earth may be intricate and complicated, the chronology of Tolkien's various published works is relatively simple. Here's exactly how to read them all in order.

Mariner Books The Silmarillion

If you want to do a truly chronological read of the Middle-earth series, The Silmarillion is where you need to start—but be warned, it's an infamously tough read. Originally rejected by Tolkien's publisher for being too obscure and dense, this collection of stories was finally published posthumously in 1967, after being edited by his son Christopher Tolkien. The Silmarillion tells a number of epic tales set in Middle-earth and surrounding regions, all of which deal with the fight between good and evil.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Beren and Lúthien

The first of three "great tales" set during the First Age of Middle-earth, Beren and Lúthien follows the romance between a mortal man, Beren, and an immortal Elf, Lúthien. If this sounds familiar, the parallel is intentional—in Lord of the Rings , Aragorn and Arwen are direct descendants of Beren and Lúthien, and their star-crossed fates are aligned.

Houghton Mifflin The Children of Hurin

The second "great tale" set during Middle-earth's First Age, The Children of Hurin is often considered to be one of Tolkien's darkest stories. The book follows Túrin and Niënor Turambar, and their desperate attempts to fight against fate after their family is cursed by the Dark Lord Morgoth.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Fall Of Gondolin

The third and final "great tale" of Middle-earth's First Age, The Fall Of Gondolin is an epic historical story following the battle between Morgoth, the Dark Lord, and the holy warrior Ulmo.

Mariner Books Unfinished Tales Of Númenor And Middle-Earth

Like many of the early entries on this list, Unfinished Tales was published posthumously after extensive work by J.R.R. Tolkien's son, Christopher Tolkien. This collection of short stories and essays fills in a lot of gaps and provides plenty of context for events we'll later see in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings —Gandalf features heavily, as do the Riders of Rohan and the Nazgûl.

Mariner Books The Hobbit

Milking this 300-page book into a movie trilogy was arguably a terrible idea, but don't let that put you off going back to the original text, which is a delight. The first of Tolkien's books to be published, The Hobbit centers on Bilbo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit sent on an extraordinary mission to help a group of dwarves recover their stolen treasure from a dragon. But along the way, Bilbo happens upon a mysterious ring, and decides to take it home. Because what's the worst that could happen...?

Mariner Books The Fellowship Of The Ring

The first novel in the Lord of the Rings trilogy has echoes of The Hobbit : Gandalf enlists Bilbo's nephew, Frodo Baggins, to take on the unenviable task of destroying the cursed ring that his uncle brought home, before the dark lord Sauron can use it to enslave Middle-earth. A fellowship of heroes gradually assembles around Frodo, including three of his faithful hobbit friends, an elf, a dwarf, and two men whose fates are tied to the crumbling kingdom of Gondor.

Mariner Books The Two Towers

The fellowship is splintered in the second Lord of the Rings installment: Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are drawn into a battle to defend the kingdom of Rohan. Frodo and Sam begin their treacherous journey to Mount Doom, now with the twisted creature Gollum in tow. And Merry and Pippin... spend a lot of time with some talking trees.

Mariner Books The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings trilogy wraps up with a sweeping and emotional final chapter, as Gandalf and Aragorn lead the charge against Sauron's army, while Frodo and Sam are physically and psychologically tested by their quest to destroy the One Ring.

Emma Dibdin is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health, and true crime. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything.

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The History of Middle Earth Books in Order (12 Book Series)

The History of Middle Earth is a series of 12 books written by J. R. R. Tolkien. Here, you can see them all in order! (plus the year each book was published)

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

• The History of Middle Earth Books in Order

The Book of Lost Tales, Part One

The history of middle-earth, book 1.

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two

The history of middle-earth, book 2.

The Lays of Beleriand

The history of middle-earth, book 3.

The Shaping of Middle-earth

The history of middle-earth, book 4.

The Lost Road and Other Writings

The history of middle-earth, book 5.

The Return of the Shadow

The history of middle-earth, book 6.

The Treason of Isengard

The history of middle-earth, book 7.

The War of the Ring

The history of middle-earth, book 8.

Sauron Defeated

The history of middle-earth, book 9.

Morgoth's Ring

The history of middle-earth, book 10.

The War of the Jewels

The history of middle-earth, book 11.

The Peoples of Middle-Earth

The history of middle-earth, book 12, who is the author of the history of middle earth series.

Navigating the literary seas of the The History of Middle Earth series is J. R. R. Tolkien. This author, whether a rising star or a seasoned veteran, has crafted the pages that whisk readers away on this series' journey. Their background, style, and influences often shine through in their writing, making each book a unique experience. Fans of the series might find it intriguing to delve into other works by {author name} to see how their writing has evolved or how different themes are explored across their body of work.

How many The History of Middle Earth books are there?

To answer a question as vital as the number of coffee cups consumed while reading, there are exactly 12 books in the The History of Middle Earth series. Each book represents a chapter in the broader narrative, introducing new twists, turns, and perhaps the occasional talking dragon (disclaimer: dragons depend on the genre). The series might take you on a rollercoaster of emotions or provide a steady companion on lazy Sunday afternoons. Remember, the journey through a book series is not just about reaching the end but also about the memories created along the way.

In what order should I read these books?

The first page of this saga was turned in 1983, and the ink dried on the latest page in 1996. While each book might be a world in itself, reading them in the order they were published helps maintain the storyline's natural progression. Think of it like baking a cake; you could add the ingredients in any order, but following the recipe usually results in a tastier treat. Of course, for the adventurous souls, mixing up the order might offer a new perspective – just be prepared for unexpected plot revelations!

Where can I find more information about each book?

Each book in the The History of Middle Earth series comes with its own little treasure trove of information, nestled snugly above the "View on Amazon" button. Here, you'll discover not just the publication year, which is essential for understanding the context and evolution of the series, but also a succinct summary that teases the story without spoiling any surprises. It's the perfect spot for readers to get a glimpse of what lies within the pages, helping them decide which book to dive into next. Additionally, we occasionally include insights into the writing process, thematic elements, or how each book fits into the larger tapestry of the series.

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The Complete History of Middle-earth Box Set: Three Volumes Comprising All Twelve Books of The History of Middle-earth Hardcover – Box set, October 6, 2020

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This very special collector’s edition brings together all twelve books into three hardcover volumes—more than 5,000 pages of fascinating Tolkien material—and places them in one matching box. The History Of Middle-Earth Boxed Set is a treasured boxed set for every Tolkien fan.

J.R.R. Tolkien is famous the world over for his unique literary creation, exemplified in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. What is less well known, however, is that he also produced a vast amount of further material that greatly expands upon the mythology and numerous stories of Middle-earth, and which gives added life to the thousand-year war between the Elves and the evil spirit Morgoth, and his terrifying lieutenant, Sauron.

It was to this enormous task of literary construction that Tolkien’s youngest son and literary heir, Christopher, applied himself to produce the monumental and endlessly fascinating series of twelve volumes, The History of Middle-earth .

• Print length 5440 pages
• Language English
• Publisher William Morrow
• Publication date October 6, 2020
• Dimensions 7.3 x 6.2 x 9.3 inches
• ISBN-10 0358381746
• ISBN-13 978-0358381747
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Editorial reviews, about the author.

Christopher Tolkien (1924–2020) was the third son of J.R.R. Tolkien. Appointed by Tolkien to be his literary executor, he devoted himself to the editing and publication of unpublished writings, notably  The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales,  and  The History of Middle-earth.

J.R.R. Tolkien  (1892–1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing  The Hobbit ,  The Lord of the Rings,  and  The Silmarillion , plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over sixty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow (October 6, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 5440 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0358381746
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0358381747
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.44 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.3 x 6.2 x 9.3 inches
• #1,211 in Classic Literature & Fiction
• #2,635 in Epic Fantasy (Books)
• #3,152 in Literary Fiction (Books)

About the authors

Christopher tolkien.

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J. R. R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on 3rd January 1892. After serving in the First World War, he became best known for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, selling 150 million copies in more than 40 languages worldwide. Awarded the CBE and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Oxford University, he died in 1973 at the age of 81.

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Middle-earth

• View history

This continent was north of the Hither Lands shown in the Ambarkanta , and west of the Eastern Sea ; and from the beginning of Arda to the end of the Second Age it underwent dramatic geographical changes, caused by Eru Ilúvatar , the Valar and Melkor .

• 2 The world
• 3 Cosmology
• 4 Geography
• 6 Languages
• 7 History of Middle-earth
• 8.1 Works by Tolkien
• 8.2 Works by others
• 11 Translations
• 12 External links

The term "Middle-earth" was not invented by J.R.R. Tolkien . Rather, it comes from Middle English middel-erde , itself a folk-etymology for the Old English word middangeard ( geard not meaning 'Earth', but rather 'enclosure' or 'place', thus 'yard', with the Old Norse word miðgarðr being a cognate). It is Germanic for what the Greeks called the οικουμένη ( oikoumenē ) or "the abiding place of men", the physical world as opposed to the unseen worlds ( The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien , 151). The word Mediterranean comes from two Latin stems, medi- , amidst, and terra , (earth/land), meaning "the sea placed at the middle of the Earth / amidst the lands".

Middangeard occurs six times in Beowulf , which Tolkien translated and on which he was arguably the world's foremost authority. (See also J.R.R. Tolkien for discussion of his inspirations and sources). See Midgard and Norse mythology for the older use.

Tolkien was also inspired by this fragment:

in the " Crist " poem by Cynewulf . The name earendel (which may mean the 'morning-star' but in some contexts was a name for Christ ) was the inspiration for Tolkien's mariner Eärendil .

"Middle-earth" was consciously used by Tolkien to place The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , The Silmarillion , and related writings.

Map of the Western part of Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age

Tolkien first used the term "Middle-earth" in the early 1930s in place of the earlier terms "Great Lands", "Outer Lands", and "Hither Lands" to describe the same region in his stories. "Middle-earth" is specifically intended to describe the lands east of the Great Sea ( Belegaer ), thus excluding Aman , but including Harad and other mortal lands not visited in Tolkien's stories. Many people apply the name to the entirety of Tolkien's world or exclusively to the lands described in The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , and The Silmarillion .

In ancient Germanic and mythology, the universe was believed to consist of multiple interconnected physical worlds (in Nordic mythology 9, in West Germanic and English mythology, 8). The world of Men , the Middle-earth, lay in the centre of this universe. The lands of Elves , gods, and Giants lay across an encircling sea. The land of the Dead lay beneath the Middle-earth. A rainbow bridge, Bifrost Bridge , extended from Middle-earth to Asgard across the sea. An outer sea encircled the seven other worlds ( Vanaheim , Asgard , Alfheim , Svartalfheim , Muspellheim , Niflheim , and Jotunheim ). In this conception, a "world" was more equivalent to a racial homeland than a physically separate world.

A speculative map of Arda before the end of the First Age, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Arda

Tolkien stated that the geography of Middle-earth was intended to align with that of the real Earth in several particulars. ( Letter 294 ) Expanding upon this idea some suggest that if the map of Middle-earth is projected on our real Earth , and some of the most obvious climatological, botanical, and zoological similarities are aligned, the Hobbits ' Shire might lie in the temperate climate of England , Gondor might lie in the Mediterranean, Italy and Greece , Mordor in Sicily, South Gondor and Near Harad in the deserts of Northern Africa , Rhovanion in the forests of Germany and the steppes of Western and Southern Russia , and the Ice Bay of Forochel in the fjords of Norway . Far Harad may have corresponded with Southern Africa, and Rhûn corresponded with the whole of Asia. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are presented as Tolkien's retelling of events depicted in the Red Book of Westmarch , which was written by Bilbo Baggins , Frodo Baggins , and other Hobbits , and corrected and annotated by one or more Gondorian scholars. Years after publication, Tolkien 'postulated' in a letter that the action of the books takes place roughly 6,000 years ago, though he was not certain.

Tolkien wrote extensively about the linguistics, mythology and history of the world, which provide back-story for these stories. Many of these writings were edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher .

Notable among them is The Silmarillion , which provides a creation story and description of the cosmology which includes Middle-earth. The Silmarillion is the primary source of information about Valinor , Númenor , and other lands. Also notable are Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth and the multiple volumes of The History of Middle-earth , which includes many incomplete stories and essays as well as numerous drafts of Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology, from the earliest forms down through the last writings of his life.

The supreme deity of Arda is called Eru Ilúvatar . In the beginning, Ilúvatar created spirits named the Ainur and he taught them to make music. After the Ainur had become proficient in their skills, Ilúvatar commanded them to make a great music based on a theme of his own design. The most powerful Ainu, Melkor (later called Morgoth or "Dark Enemy" by the Elves), Tolkien's equivalent of Satan , disrupted the theme, and in response Ilúvatar introduced new themes that enhanced the music beyond the comprehension of the Ainur. The movements of their song laid the seeds of much of the history of the as yet unmade universe and the people who were to dwell therein.

A depiction of the initial geography of Eä

Then Ilúvatar stopped the music and he revealed its meaning to the Ainur through a Vision. Moved by the Vision, many of the Ainur felt a compelling urge to experience its events directly. Ilúvatar therefore created Eä , the universe itself, and some of the Ainur went down into the universe to share in its experience. But upon arriving in Eä, the Ainur found it was shapeless because they had entered at the beginning of Time. The Ainur undertook great labours in these unnamed "ages of the stars", in which they shaped the universe and filled it with many things far beyond the reach of Men. In time, however, the Ainur formed Arda, the abiding place of the Children of Ilúvatar , Elves and Men . The fifteen most powerful Ainur were called the Valar , of whom Melkor was the most powerful, but Manwë was the leader. The Valar settled in Arda to watch over it and help prepare it for the awakening of the Children.

Arda began as a single flat world, which the Valar gave light to through two immense Lamps . Melkor destroyed the lamps and brought darkness to the world. The Valar retreated to the extreme western regions of Arda, where they created the Two Trees of Valinor to give light to their new homeland, leaving Middle-earth in darkness After many ages, the Valar imprisoned Melkor to punish and rehabilitate him, and to protect the awakening Elves. But when Melkor was released he poisoned the Two Trees. The Valar took the last two living fruit of the Two Trees and used them to create the Moon and Sun , which remained a part of Arda but were separate from Ambar (the world).

Before the end of the Second Age , when the Men of Númenor rebelled against the Valar, Ilúvatar destroyed Númenor, separated Aman from the rest of Arda, and formed new lands, making the world round. Only Endor remained of the original world, and Endor had now become Eurasia.

An expanded, composite map of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien never finalized the geography for the entire world associated with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings . In The Shaping of Middle-earth , volume IV of The History of Middle-earth , Christopher Tolkien published several remarkable maps, of both the original flat earth and round world, which his father had created in the latter part of the 1930s. Karen Wynn Fonstad drew from these maps to develop detailed, but non-canonical, "whole world maps" reflecting a world consistent with the historical ages depicted in The Silmarillion , The Hobbit , and The Lord of the Rings .

Maps prepared by Christopher Tolkien and J.R.R. Tolkien for the world encompassing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were published as foldouts or illustrations in The Hobbit , The Lord of the Rings , and The Silmarillion . Early conceptions of the maps provided in The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings were included in several volumes, including "The First Silmarillion Map" in The Shaping of Middle-earth , "The First Map of the Lord of the Rings" in The Treason of Isengard , "The Second Map (West)" and "The Second Map (East)" in The War of the Ring , and "The Second Map of Middle-earth west of the Blue Mountains" (also known as "The Second Silmarillion Map") in The War of the Jewels .

Endor , the Quenya term for Middle-earth, was originally conceived of as conforming to a largely symmetrical scheme which was marred by Melkor. The symmetry was defined by two large sub-continents, one in the north and one in the south, with each of them boasting two long chains of mountains in the eastward and westward regions. The mountain chains were given names based on colours ( White Mountains , Blue Mountains , Grey Mountains , and Red Mountains ).

The various conflicts with Melkor resulted in the shapes of the lands being distorted. Originally, there was a single inland body of water, in the midst of which was set the island of Almaren where the Valar lived. When Melkor destroyed the lamps of the Valar which gave light to the world, two vast seas were created, but Almaren and its lake were destroyed. The northern sea became the Sea of Helcar (Helkar). The lands west of the Blue Mountains became Beleriand (meaning, "the land of Balar "). Melkor raised the Misty Mountains to impede the progress of the Vala Oromë as he hunted Melkor's beasts during the period of darkness prior to the awakening of the Elves.

Additional changes occurred when Valar assaulted Utumno in the Battle of the Powers . The North-west of Middle-earth, where Melkor met the Valar host, was "much broken". The sea between Middle-earth and Aman widened, with many bays created, including one which was the confluence of Sirion . The highland of Dorthonion and the mountains about Hithlum were also a result of the battles. Since the changes mentioned include both the beginning and the ending points of Sirion, it is possible the river itself was created at the same time.

The violent struggles during the War of Wrath between the Host of the Valar and the armies of Melkor at the end of the First Age brought about the destruction of Beleriand. It is also possible that during this time the inland sea of Helcar was drained.

The world, not including associated celestial bodies, was identified by Tolkien as " Ambar " in several texts, but also identified as "Imbar", the Habitation, in later post- Lord of the Rings texts. From the time of the destruction of the two lamps until the time of the Downfall of Númenor, Ambar was supposed to be a "flat world", in that its habitable land-masses were all arranged on one side of the world. His sketches show a disk-like face for the world which looked up to the stars. A western continent, Aman , was the home of the Valar (and the Eldar ). The middle lands, Endor, were called "Middle-earth" and were the site of most of Tolkien's stories. The eastern continent was not inhabited.

When Melkor poisoned the Two Trees of the Valar and fled from Aman back to Endor, the Valar created the Sun and the Moon , which were separate bodies (from Ambar) but still parts of Arda (the Realm of the Children of Ilúvatar ). A few years after publishing The Lord of the Rings , in a note associated with the unique narrative story Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth (which is said to occur in Beleriand during the War of the Great Jewels ), Tolkien equated Arda with the Solar System; because Arda by this point consisted of more than one heavenly body.

Map of Middle-earth in Peter Jackson's films

According to the accounts in both The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings , when Ar-Pharazôn invaded Aman to seize immortality from the Valar, they laid down their guardianship of the world and Eru Ilúvatar intervened, destroying Númenor , removing Aman "from the circles of the world", and reshaping Ambar into the round world of today. The Akallabêth says that the Númenóreans who survived the Downfall sailed as far west as they could in search of their ancient home, but their travels either brought them to new lands or back around the world back to their starting points. Hence, before the end of the Second Age , the transition from "flat earth" to "round earth" had been completed.

The Endor continent became approximately equivalent to the Eurasian land-mass, but Tolkien's geography does not provide any exact correlations between the narrative of The Lord of the Rings and Europe or near-by lands. It is therefore assumed that the reader understands the world underwent a subsequent undocumented transformation (which some people speculate Tolkien would have equated with the Biblical deluge) sometime after the end of the Third Age , or possibly at the Fall of Sauron at the end of the Third Age. Another explanation is that many places shifted location, the Misty Mountains moving North to Scandinavia, the White Mountains rotating to become the Alps and the mountains of the west Balkans, Near Harad moving south and west to become the Sahara, Eriador flooding to become northern France and the British Isles, and so on. This would not be the first time that this had happened, as it seems that a consequence from the Siege of Utumno was that Endor rotated eastward, its axis the north pole.

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Middle-earth was home to several distinct intelligent species. First were the Ainur , angelic beings created by Ilúvatar. The Ainur sing for Ilúvatar, who created Eä to give existence to their music in the cosmological myth called the Ainulindalë , or "Music of the Ainur". Some of the Ainur then entered Eä, and the greatest of these were called the Valar . Melkor (later called Morgoth ), the chief personification of evil in Eä, was initially one of the Valar.

The other Ainur who entered Eä were called the Maiar . In the First Age the most active Maia was Melian , wife of the Elven King Thingol ; in the Third Age , during the War of the Ring , five of the Maiar were embodied and sent to Endor to help the free people to overthrow Sauron . Those are the Istari (or Wise Ones ) (called Wizards by Men), including Gandalf , Saruman , Radagast , Alatar and Pallando . There were also evil Maiar, called Umaiar, including the Balrogs and the second Dark Lord, Sauron.

Later come the Children of Ilúvatar : Elves and Men (Men awoke in the first year of the sun), intelligent beings created by Ilúvatar alone. The Silmarillion tells how Elves and Men awakened and spread through the world. The Dwarves were said to have been made by the Vala Aulë , who offered to destroy them when Ilúvatar confronted him. Ilúvatar forgave Aulë's transgression and adopted the Dwarves. Three tribes of Men who allied themselves with the Elves of Beleriand in the First Age were called the Edain .

As a reward for their loyalty and suffering in the Wars of Beleriand , the descendants of the Edain were given the island of Númenor to be their home. But as described in the section on Middle-earth's history , Númenor was eventually destroyed and a remnant of the Faithful Númenóreans established realms in the northern lands of Endor, Arnor and Gondor . They are then known as the Dúnedain , whereas other Númenórean survivors, still devoted to evil but living far to the south, become known as the Black Númenóreans .

Tolkien identified Hobbits as an offshoot of the race of Men. Although their origins and ancient history are not known, Tolkien implied that they settled in the Vales of Anduin early in the Third Age, but after a thousand years the Hobbits began migrating west over the Misty Mountains into Eriador . Eventually, many Hobbits settled in the Shire .

After they are granted true life by Ilúvatar, the Dwarves' creator Aulë laid them to sleep in hidden mountain locations. Ilúvatar awakened the Dwarves only after the Elves had awakened. The Dwarves spread throughout northern Endor and eventually found seven kingdoms. Two of these kingdoms, Nogrod and Belegost , befriend the Elves of Beleriand against Morgoth in the First Age. The greatest Dwarf kingdom was Khazad-dûm , later known as Moria.

The Ents , "shepherds of the trees", were created by Ilúvatar at the Vala Yavanna 's request to protect trees from the depredations of Elves, Dwarves, and Men.

Orcs and Trolls were evil creatures bred by Morgoth. They were not original creations, but rather, it is supposed, "mockeries" of Ents and the Children of Ilúvatar, since only Ilúvatar had the ability to create life anew. Orcs' and Trolls' origins are not solidified; Tolkien considered many possibilities, and frequently changed his mind.

Seemingly sapient animals also appear, such as the Great Eagles , Thrushes , Huan the Great Hound from Valinor , and the Wargs . The Eagles were created by Ilúvatar along with the Ents, but in general these animals' origins and nature are unclear. Some of them might be Maiar in animal form, or perhaps even the offspring of Maiar and normal animals.

It is unknown to what people of Middle-earth Tom Bombadil belonged. As to his nature, Tolkien himself said that some things should remain mysterious in any mythology, hidden even to its inventor.

Tolkien devised two predominant Elvish languages that would later be called Quenya , spoken by the Vanyar , Ñoldor , and some Teleri , and Sindarin , spoken by the Elves who stayed in Beleriand (see below). These languages were related, and a Common Eldarin form ancestral to them both is postulated.

Other languages of the world include:

• Adûnaic – spoken by the Númenóreans
• Black Speech – devised by Sauron for his slaves to speak
• Khuzdûl – spoken by the Dwarves
• Rohanese – spoken by the Rohirrim – represented in The Lord of the Rings by Old English
• Westron – the 'Common Speech' – represented by English
• Valarin – the language of the Ainur

History of Middle-earth

The history of Middle-earth is divided into three time periods, known as the Days before days , Years of the Trees , and Years of the Sun ; the last is typically sub-divided further into four Ages .

The Days before days began shortly after the Ainulindalë , when the Valar came into the world. At first, the Valar warred against Melkor , but after his defeat they finished their labours in shaping Arda. The Valar created two lamps to illuminate the world, and the Vala Aulë forged great towers, one in the furthest north, Helcar with the lamp Illuin , and another in the deepest south, Ringil with the lamp Ormal . The Valar lived in the middle, at the island of Almaren . Melkor 's destruction of the two Lamps marked the end of the Days before days.

A speculative map of Aman in the Second Age

Then Yavanna made the Two Trees named Telperion and Laurelin in the land of Aman . The Trees illuminated Aman, leaving the rest of Arda in darkness, illuminated only by the stars . At the start of the Years of the Trees the Elves awoke at Cuiviénen in the east of Endor, and were soon approached by the Valar. Many of the Elves were persuaded to undertake the Great Journey westwards towards Aman, but not all of them completed the journey (see Sundering of the Elves ). The Valar attacked and defeated Melkor in the Battle of the Powers , and he was imprisoned for several ages in the Halls of Mandos . But he appeared to repent and was released on parole. He sowed great discord among the Elves and stirred up rivalry between the Elven princes Fëanor and Fingolfin . He then slew their father, King Finwë and stole the Silmarils , three gems crafted by Fëanor that contained light of the Two Trees, from his vault, and destroyed the Trees themselves.

Fëanor persuaded most of his people, the Ñoldor , to leave Aman in pursuit of Melkor to Beleriand , cursing him with the name Morgoth . Fëanor led the first of two groups of Noldor. The larger group was led by Fingolfin. The Noldor stopped at the Teleri 's port-city, Alqualondë , but the Teleri refused to give them ships to get to Middle-earth. The first Kinslaying thus ensued; Fëanor and many of his followers attacked the Teleri and stole their ships. Fëanor's host sailed on the stolen ships, leaving Fingolfin's behind to cross over to Middle-earth through the deadly Helcaraxë (or Grinding Ice) in the far north. Subsequently Fëanor was slain, but his sons survived and founded realms, as did Fingolfin and his heirs.

The Years of the Sun began when the Valar made the Sun and it rose over the world. After several great battles, a long peace ensued for four hundred years, during which time the first Men entered Beleriand by crossing over the Blue Mountains . When Morgoth broke the siege of Angband , one by one the Elven kingdoms fell, even the hidden city of Gondolin . The only measurable success achieved by Elves and Men came when Beren of the Edain and Lúthien , daughter of Thingol and Melian , retrieved a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. Afterward, Beren and Lúthien died, and were restored to life by the Valar with the understanding that Lúthien was to become mortal and Beren should never be seen by Men again.

Thingol quarrelled with the Dwarves of Nogrod and they slew him, stealing the Silmaril. With the help of Ents, Beren waylaid the Dwarves and recovered the Silmaril, which he gave to Lúthien. Soon afterwards, both Beren and Lúthien died again. The Silmaril was given to their son Dior Half-elven , who had restored the Kingdom of Doriath . The sons of Fëanor demanded that Dior surrender the Silmaril to them, and he refused. The Fëanorians destroyed Doriath and killed Dior in the Second Kinslaying , but Dior's young daughter Elwing escaped with the jewel. Three sons of Fëanor – Celegorm , Curufin , and Caranthir – died trying to retake the jewel.

By the end of the age, all that remained of the free Elves and Men in Beleriand was a settlement at the mouth of the River Sirion . Among them was Eärendil , who married Elwing. But the Fëanorians again demanded the Silmaril be returned to them, and after their demand was rejected they resolved to take the jewel by force, leading to the Third Kinslaying . Eärendil and Elwing took the Silmaril across the Great Sea , to beg the Valar for pardon and aid. The Valar responded with the War of Wrath . Morgoth was captured, most of his works were destroyed, and he was banished beyond the confines of the world into the Door of Night .

The Silmarils were recovered at a terrible cost, as Beleriand itself was broken and began to sink under the sea. Feanor's last remaining sons, Maedhros and Maglor , were ordered to return to Valinor . They proceeded to steal the Silmarils from the victorious Valar. But, as with Morgoth, the Silmarils burned their hands and they then realized they were not meant to possess them and that their oath was null. Each of the brothers met his fate: Maedhros threw himself with the Silmaril into a chasm of fire, and Maglor threw his Silmaril into the sea. Thus the three Silmarils ended in the sky with Eärendil, in the earth, and in the water respectively.

Thus began the Second Age . The Edain were given the island of Númenor toward the west of the Great Sea as their home, while many Elves were welcomed into the West. The Númenóreans became great seafarers, but also became increasingly jealous of the Elves for their immortality. But after a few centuries, Sauron , Morgoth's chief servant, began to organize evil creatures in the eastern lands. He persuaded Elven smiths in Eregion to create Rings of Power , and secretly forged the One Ring to control the other rings. But the Elves became aware of Sauron's plan as soon as he put the One Ring on his hand, and they removed their own Rings before he could master their wills.

A map of Númenor during the Second Age, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Arda .

The last Númenórean king, Ar-Pharazôn , by the strength of his army, humbled even Sauron and brought him to Númenor as a hostage. But with the help of the One Ring, Sauron deceived Ar-Pharazôn and convinced the king to invade Aman, promising immortality for all those who set foot on the Undying Lands . Amandil , chief of those still Faithful to the Valar, tried to sail west to seek their aid. His son Elendil and grandsons Isildur and Anárion prepared to flee east to Middle-earth. When the King's forces landed on Aman, the Valar called for Ilúvatar to intervene. The world was changed, and Aman was removed from Ambar .

From that time onward, Men could no longer find Aman, but Elves seeking passage in specially hallowed ships received the grace of using the Straight Road , which led from Middle-earth's seas to the seas of Aman. Númenor was utterly destroyed, and with it the fair body of Sauron, but his spirit endured and fled back to Middle-earth. Elendil and his sons escaped to Endor and founded the realms of Gondor and Arnor . Sauron soon rose again, but the Elves allied with the Númenórean exiles to form the Last Alliance and defeated him. The One Ring was taken from him by Isildur, but not destroyed.

The Third Age saw the rise in power of the realms of Arnor and Gondor, and their decline. By the time of The Lord of the Rings , Sauron had recovered much of his former strength, and was seeking the One Ring. He discovered that it was in the possession of a Hobbit and sent out the nine Ringwraiths to retrieve it. The Ring-bearer, Frodo Baggins , travelled to Rivendell , where it was decided that the Ring had to be destroyed in the only way possible: casting it into the fires of Mount Doom . Frodo set out on the Quest of the Ring with eight companions—the Fellowship of the Ring . At the last moment he failed, but with the intervention of the creature Gollum —who was saved by the pity of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins —the Ring was nevertheless destroyed. Frodo with his companion Sam Gamgee were hailed as heroes. Sauron was destroyed forever and his spirit dissipated.

The end of the Third Age marked the end of the dominion of the Elves and the beginning of the dominion of Men . As the Fourth Age began, many of the Elves who had lingered in Middle-earth left for Valinor, never to return; those who remained behind would "fade" and diminish. The Dwarves eventually dwindled away as well. The Dwarves eventually returned to and resettled Moria. Peace was restored between Gondor and the lands to the south and east. Eventually, the tales of the earlier Ages became legends, the truth behind them forgotten.

Books set in Middle-earth

Works by tolkien.

• The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins joins a company of Dwarves and the Wizard Gandalf in a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon   Smaug .
• Bilbo's cousin and heir Frodo Baggins sets out on a quest to rid Middle-earth of the One Ring , joined by the Fellowship of the Ring .
• The Fellowship is split apart: while Frodo and his servant Sam continue their quest, Aragorn , Gimli and Legolas fight to rescue the hobbits Peregrin Took (Pippin) and Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) from Orcs and to save the Kingdom of Rohan .
• Frodo and Sam reach Mordor , while Aragorn arrives in Gondor and reclaims his heritage.
• An assortment of poems, only loosely related to The Lord of the Rings
• A song cycle with the composer Donald Swann (long out of print but reprinted in 2002 )

Tolkien passed away in 1973 . All further works were edited by Christopher Tolkien . Only The Silmarillion portrays itself as a finished work — the others are collections of notes and draft versions.

• The history of the Elder Days , before the Lord of the Rings, including the Downfall of Númenor
• Stories and essays related to the Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings , but many were never completed.

The History of Middle-earth series:

• 1983 The Book of Lost Tales Part One
• The earliest versions of the mythology, from start to finish
• Two long poems ( The Lay of Leithian about Beren and Lúthien , and The Lay of the Children of Húrin about the Túrin saga)
• Start of rewriting the mythology from the beginning
• Introduction of Númenor to the mythology and continuation of rewriting
• 1988 The Return of the Shadow (The History of The Lord of the Rings v.1)
• 1989 The Treason of Isengard (The History of The Lord of the Rings v.2)
• 1990 The War of the Ring (The History of The Lord of the Rings v.3)
• The development of The Lord of the Rings , from 'The Hobbit 2' to what would become more a sequel for ' The Silmarillion '. Sauron Defeated also includes another version of the Númenor connection
• 1993 Morgoth's Ring (The Later Silmarillion , part one)
• Post Lord of the Rings efforts to revise the mythology for publication. Includes the controversial 'Myths Transformed' section, which documents how Tolkien's thoughts changed radically in the last years of his life.
• Source material for the appendices in The Lord of the Rings and some more late writings related to The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings .
• This book has completely integrated all of the indices from the previous twelve volumes into one large index.
• 2007 The Children of Húrin
• 2017 Beren and Lúthien
• 2018 The Fall of Gondolin

In the prefatory information to the 2007 edition of Fellowship ('Notes on the Text'), Douglas A. Anderson explains that, since the Rings books were published almost fifty years ago, numerous emendations and corrections to grammar, word-choice, and punctuation (and repairs to their internal consistency) have been made through the various editions; while many such corrections were by Tolkien's own request (such as specific and intentional word choices made by Tolkien in his original manuscript, but omitted or 'corrected' in later editions by overly-zealous editors), revisions that would have required rewriting portions of the narrative (instead of simple corrections) were left unmade to preserve the integrity of the text.

Works by others

A small selection of the dozens of books about Tolkien and his worlds:

• 1978 The Complete Guide to Middle-earth ( ISBN 0345449762 , Robert Foster , generally recognised as the best reference book on The Lord of the Rings . This guide does not include information from Unfinished Tales or the History of Middle-earth series, which leads to some errors by our choice of "canon" above.)
• 2004 The Annotated Hobbit , Douglas Anderson , a comprehensive study of the publication history of The Hobbit.
• 1981 The Atlas of Middle-earth ( Karen Wynn Fonstad – an atlas of The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit , The Silmarillion , and The Unfinished Tales ; revised 1991)
• 1981 Journeys of Frodo ( Barbara Strachey – an atlas of The Lord of the Rings )
• 1983 The Road to Middle-earth ( Tom Shippey – literary analysis of Tolkien's stories from the perspective of a fellow philologist; last revised 2003)
• 2002 The Complete Tolkien Companion ( ISBN 0330411659 , J. E. A. Tyler – a reference, covers The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit , The Silmarillion , and Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth ; substantially improved over the two earlier editions.)

In adaptations

In Letter 202 to Christopher Tolkien , Tolkien set out his policy regarding film adaptations of his works: "Art or Cash". He sold the film rights for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to United Artists in 1969 after being faced with a sudden tax bill. The rights are currently in the hands of Middle-earth Enterprises , which has no relation to the Tolkien Estate , which retains film rights to The Silmarillion and other works published since 1969.

The first adaptation to be shown was The Hobbit in 1977 , made by Rankin-Bass studios. This was initially shown on United States television .

The following year ( 1978 ), a movie entitled The Lord of the Rings was released, produced and directed by Ralph Bakshi ; it was an adaptation of the first half of the story, using rotoscope animation. Although relatively faithful to the story, it was only a minor commercial success but not entirely well received by critics.

In 1980 , Rankin-Bass produced a TV special covering roughly the last half of The Lord of the Rings , called The Return of the King . However, this did not follow on directly from the end of the Bakshi film.

Plans for a live-action version would wait until the late 1990s to be realised. These were directed by Peter Jackson and funded by New Line Cinema with backing from the New Zealand government and banking system.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ( 2001 )
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ( 2002 )
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ( 2003 )

Map of Middle-earth from the films

The films were a huge box office and critical success and together won seventeen Oscars (at least one in each applicable category for a fictional, English language, live-action feature film, except in the acting categories). However, in adapting the works to film, changes in the storyline and characters were made, which upset some fans of the books.

The Hobbit film trilogy , a live-action adaptation of The Hobbit was also made as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, produced in New Zealand under the direction of Peter Jackson. Although Tolkien's novel The Hobbit is a single book unlike The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit film series is a trilogy like The Lord of the Rings film series. The first and second films were released in December 2012 and 2013 respectively while the third film was released in 2014.

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)

In 2019, the biopic film Tolkien was released, portraying the experiences of J.R.R Tolkien before and during World War I , and how those events inspired the works taking place in Middle-earth.

The works of Tolkien have been a major influence on role-playing games along with others such as Robert E. Howard , Fritz Leiber , H. P. Lovecraft , and Michael Moorcock . Although the most famous game to be inspired partially by the setting was Dungeons & Dragons, there have been two specifically Middle-earth based and licensed games. These are The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game from Decipher Inc. and the Middle-earth Role Playing game (MERP) from Iron Crown Enterprises . A Middle-earth play-by-mail game was originally run by Game Systems Inc. and is now produced by Middle-earth Games ; this game was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design's Hall of Fame in 1997 .

Simulations Publications created three war games based on Tolkien's work. War of the Ring covered most of the events in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Gondor focused on the battle of Pelennor Fields, and Sauron covered the Second Age battle before the gates of Mordor. A war game based on the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is currently being produced by Games Workshop . A board game also called War of the Ring is currently published by Fantasy Flight Games .

The computer game Angband is a free roguelike D&D-style game that features many characters from Tolkien's works. The most complete list of Tolkien-inspired computer games can be found at http://www.lysator.liu.se/tolkien-games/

Electronic Arts has released games for the gaming consoles and the PC platform. These include The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King , The Battle for Middle-earth , and The Third Age . Vivendi released The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring while Sierra created War of the Ring , both games that proved highly unsuccessful.

Apart from these games, many commercial computer games have been released. Some of these derived their rights from the Estate, such as The Hobbit — others from the movie and merchandising rights.

Translations

External links.

• Ardalambion – This is a great site for anyone who wants to delve into the languages of Middle-earth ; recommended especially for anyone who wants to learn Quenya .
• The Tolkien Meta-FAQ – Summaries of common discussions about Tolkien and Middle-earth, from basic questions to expert debates.
• The One Ring.net – A site with multiple examples of Tolkien Fanart, Fanwriting, and a little bit of facts.
• The Lord of the Rings official movie site – the official movie website. It contains information on the movie and the books.
• Lord of the Rings

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