The Last Volume of HoME

[Magician of Nathar]

Have any of you read the last volume of History of Middle Earth? I know there is a story called The New Shadow in that book, and it's the beginning of a sequel that Tolkien planned to write. I haven't read it yet and I can't find that book any where. Have anyone of you guys read it? What is the story about and who are the main cahracters? What do you think of it? Do you think it would be a worthy sequel?

[Iargwath]

I havent read the book, but reading reviews about it only makes me want to read the book more. Im sorry to hear that you cannot find yourself a copy of the book, but a certain way of getting one is to buy online.
I have done some searching on the book, and i have found some great reviews with good information. Also a page with some excerpts from the book. Here is a great review on the book The Peoples Of Middle Earth Volume XII:


Christopher Tolkien takes the reader back to the years 1950-1952 when his father was preparing the appendices and prologue for The Lord of the Rings. So much that had been written for publication was lost because the book was so big it simply couldnt all be used. So the appendices we have today were created by condensing the material originally intended for publication.
What we learn from the lengthy source material is that Tolkien really did anticipate many fannish questions and tried to answer them. A great deal of information concerning Hobbits, Elves, and the Edain (and Dunedain) was to be included. The essay "Of Dwarves and Men" also provides a fantastic study of early Second Age culture in the lands beyond the Misty Mountains. Unfinished Tales had led us to believe there was nothing more to be learned about the Second Age, but at the end of the History of Middle-earth series Christopher Tolkien unloaded a bombshell.
Peoples of Middle-earth also includes the previously unpublished opening pages for The New Shadow, the sequel J.R.R. Tolkien almost wrote to The Lord of the Rings. It begins after Aragorn has died and hints at a dark plot to overthrow King Eldarion. Sadly, Tolkien felt no passion for the story, which he deemed would be no better than a thriller. So he abandoned it just as the first taint of evil arose.
Tolkien researchers will also find that "The Shibboleth of Feanor" sets out the final and complete genealogy for Finwes descendants, and several accompanying essays explain minor details alluded to throughout the History of Middle-earth book


If you like, you can read other reviews here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395827604/qid=1041671602/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8711861-9571859?v=glance&s=books).
Also here is a page (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395827604/ref=lib_rd_ss/103-8711861-9571859?v=glance&s=books&vi=slide-show#reader-link) to some sample papers of the book.

I also found a summary of the book:

The Peoples of Middle Earth

The Prologue
The evolution of the prologue to "The Lord of the Rings". Only parts of the variant texts are given.
Written: 1948 - before July 1950


The Appendix on Language
Included are a text containing much information on languages which was originally intended as a kind of preface to "The Lord of the Rings", the essay 'Languages at the end of the Third Age' which includes a great deal of Westron material later excluded and finaly several extracts from later versions of what would ultimately became the much reduced text of Appendix F.
Written: Probably 1948 and 1950 - 1955


The Family Trees
An account of the evolution of the genealogical tables in Appendix C, with the addition of the family trees of the Bolgers and the Boffins which were rejected from the final version.
Written: Late 1939 - 1955


The Calendars
Contains the earliest versions of Appendix D.
Also includes earlier versions of the Quenya and Sindarin names for seasons and months.
Written: c. 1949 - 1950


The History of the Akallabelleth

Hope i have helped in a way smilies/smile.gif

[Maerbenn]

The History of Middle-earth Index which came out on August 5th could be considered the 13th and last volume of the series.

[ January 04, 2003: Message edited by: Maerbenn ]

[lindil]

I have yet to see 'HoME 13' as some of us have tken to calling it, it is supposedly a giant index. Can anyone confirm or deny? I have also searched online to no avail.

As for the Peoples of Middle-Earth [ HoME 12], It is an excellent and fascinating volume but the 4th age story reffered to above " the New Shadow" is probably the least interesting part of the book. JRRT rightly abandoned it, calling it at best "a thriller" or some such. The essays " of Dwarves and Men" and the "shibboleth of Feanor" are to my mind the main reasons along with " last writings" for owning the books. THe variant LotR appendices also hold alot of fascination for some.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

lindil, I have the HoME Index (Volume 13). It is indeed an index only, an alphabetical listing of names etc. with the places they can be found in the other 12 volumes. I got mine in London this last summer; it's published by Harper Collins. I would assume that it should be available in the US as well; otherwise try an internet book site.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Lindil, Estelyn,

I am also looking for HoMe vol. 13 in the U.S. and haven't been able to find it. I've searched in bookstores and the internet.

Does anyone have this volume who bought it in the U.S.? Where did you get it?

sharon

[Galorme]

HoME XIII is a rip off to the nth degree. Not only is it just an index, it isn't even an original index, its merely the 12 indexs from the series put together in one place. With the exception of a 3 paragraph introduction and a list of the books, there is not a single piece of original content in the book, and certainly none of interest. I admit that it is useful and I do flick through it sometimes (yes I bought it more fool me), but it should NOT be sold at 10 pounds. I am suprised it was awarded a copyright. I strongly recoment that anyone who wants it should just cut the indexs out of the other books and glue them to your wall.

[ January 04, 2003: Message edited by: Galorme ]

[burrahobbit]

You seem to have completely missed the point, buddy. It's just a big index so you don't have to flip through a bunch of smaller ones to find what you want.

[obloquy]

What on earth do you mean by 'not even an original index'? I have never heard someone criticize an index for its unoriginality.

[Child of the 7th Age]

I do not wish to rip up my other volumes and glue the pages to the wall. Especially since I have spend many hours perusing the used bookstores to get some of these as first editions. I would gladly pay the 10 pounds, and the postage as well.

I am most anxious to get this index, as unoriginal as it might be. Should anyone know where it can be ordered in the U.S., online or in a store, please tell me. Harper Collins does not accept orders from the U.S. unless their policy has recently changed. I saw other books from them I wished to order, and was not able to do so.

sharon

[obloquy]

Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk) will get it to you, Child.

Check out how handy I am: the index (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007137435/ref=sr_aps_books_1_1/026-2387320-9295617).

[ January 04, 2003: Message edited by: obloquy ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Obloquy,

Thank you for the reference. I did not check out Amazon, U.K. I do appreciate that.

sharon

[Galorme]

I am not critising it for what it is, it is useful. Its just it is priced at far beyond what you would expect even of a book filled with original content, yet alone for something that is a compilation of other sources.

[Maerbenn]

Child of the 7th Age,

beware that the page numbers given in the the HarperCollins edition of the Index volume may not be "compatible" with your US editions of the volumes.