The Canon

[burrahobbit]

Why place The Hobbit below LOTR and The Silmarillion, particularly since Christopher Tolkien edited his father's papers so extensively to produce it? The Hobbit is thoroughly Tolkien Sr.'s work.

You answer your question about as well as I could have a bit farther down.

Perhaps the confusion lies in distinguishing between consistency of the mythology and canonicity of authorial intent?

When The Hobbit was being written Tolkien wasn't sure that he wanted it to be a part of his mythologies, and so it includes much that otherwise shouldn't be in Middle-earth, such as giants in the Misty Mountains throwing rocks down the mountainside and a different characterization of orcs/goblins.

That being said, I think that I like Mithadan's order better than mine.