[Mithalwen]

The books set in Middle Earth that were published in Tolkien's life time are:

The Hobbit
The Lord of The Rings
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (Poetry)
The Road Goes Ever On (Poetry set to music with an analysis of the Elvish poems "A Elbereth Gilthoniel" and NAmarie


However after he died, Tolkien's son Christopher edited and published the rest of his father's writing on Middle Earth.

The Silmarillion alone is presented as a "finished" work
In Unfinished Tales described above, his role as editor is much more explicit and there are many notes ans some alternative versions. Nevertheless it is quite readable, and parts may interest people who don't like the Sil.


The History of Middle Earth is a 12 volume + index collection of early drafts and working notes. Each volume has it's own title and the volumes that contain the drafts of the Lord of the Rings are known as "THe History of the Lord of the rings"

Hope that helps