The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Which volumes of HoME would you recommend?

skip spence · 02-07-2008, 03:01 PM

Thank you for your comments.

I am aware that these books aren't (fictional) history books per say, but rather the history of Tolkien's creation of Arda. While this might be interesting for a select few, I'm amazed at at the sheer size of the project with its 12 volumes, to my knowledge mostly consisting of discarded drafts and (at times) rather tedious comments by CT. While browsing the books in my local pocket-book shop I was flabbergasted to find that even the combined indexes were published as a seperate book, priced the same as the other volumes. My first thought was that the Tolkien estate were trying to wring out as much money as possible out of JRRT's unpublished writings. But then again, who in their right mind would pay 20 Euro for a 400 page index? I mean, could this really be a economically viable project? Or are there really enough Tolkien maniacs and academics around for it to justify the 13 books?

Anyhow, what I can gather from your advice is that "The Peoples of Middle Earth" should be first (and perhaps last) on my shopping list. What's in this one?

And how about the 11th volume, "The War of the Jewels"? I am a big fan of the Silmarillion. Will this volume broaden my horizon?

02-07-2008, 03:01 PM	#15
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	Thank you for your comments. I am aware that these books aren't (fictional) history books per say, but rather the history of Tolkien's creation of Arda. While this might be interesting for a select few, I'm amazed at at the sheer size of the project with its 12 volumes, to my knowledge mostly consisting of discarded drafts and (at times) rather tedious comments by CT. While browsing the books in my local pocket-book shop I was flabbergasted to find that even the combined indexes were published as a seperate book, priced the same as the other volumes. My first thought was that the Tolkien estate were trying to wring out as much money as possible out of JRRT's unpublished writings. But then again, who in their right mind would pay 20 Euro for a 400 page index? I mean, could this really be a economically viable project? Or are there really enough Tolkien maniacs and academics around for it to justify the 13 books? Anyhow, what I can gather from your advice is that "The Peoples of Middle Earth" should be first (and perhaps last) on my shopping list. What's in this one? And how about the 11th volume, "The War of the Jewels"? I am a big fan of the Silmarillion. Will this volume broaden my horizon?