Book's name
 

In Moria when Balin's tomb is found, a journal is also found. Was it the official journal or was it just some dwarf's personal diary. According to the books there were multiple handwriting styles in it so that would be an argument against it being a diary. Any ideas?<p>[ November 05, 2003: Message edited by: Elvish Archer ]

I would assume the multiple hand writtings were a result of the original authors being killed and others picking it up. I see it as a log that Balin's company kept.<P>Is this more of a book topic?<P>H.C.

This is probably more of a Books topic.<P>In the book, Balin was buried in the Chamber of Mazarbul (the Chamber of Records). The book was refered to by the fellowship as the Book of Mazarbul, and was a record of the attempt by the company of Dwarves to re-take Moria. More a log-book than a diary or journal. There were a variety of handwritings in it because the task of keeping it passed from one member of the dwarf company to another for a variety of reasons.<p>[ November 05, 2003: Message edited by: ainur ]

Who got to keep the book, and am I right in thinking it did not appear in the film, why?

The Book of Mazarbul was used in the movie. Gandalf read from it just before Pippin made such a clatter at the well. In the Fellowship of the Ring <B>book</B>, Gandalf gave the Book of Mazarbul to Gimli to bring to Dain so he would know what happened to the company of Dwarves that went to re-take Moria.